Former Gator and Tampa Bay Bucs running back Earnest Graham has brought optimism and excitement to the Santa Fe (Alachua) football program.
With just two wins combined over the past four seasons (2-37 since 2021), Graham is looking to turn the Raiders around in his first year as head coach.
“First of all, you can’t be the head coach here and not be connected to the community,” he said. “So, one, I live in the community now, and I live here because I do believe this is a phenomenal place to live.”
He said you have to be connected to the community in order to serve it.
“I really believe this, this community deserves a phenomenal football program for their young men to not only aspire to play for but to represent the community,” he said. “So that’s the first thing in our heart, is to be an extension of the parents in the community.”
Graham, who was the offensive coordinator last year at GHS, has been a head coach at North Fort Myers and Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers).
“Both programs were similar,” he said. “In North Fort Myers, they had been down and won a couple games in three years, I believe it was. Evangelical’s going through a transition, and we aspire to play at a higher level of football, which we were able to do and be competitive. And here it’s the same thing. So, I seem to be attracted to these types of jobs. The similar thing to all the jobs, they were phenomenal places for kids to develop.”
Tyler Gentry (6’, 160) played quarterback some as a junior due to injury and he’ll take that experience into his senior year as the team’s starter under center.
“First of all, he’s a great leader, and it’s the reason he’s going to get the first nod at quarterback,” Graham said. “He has that short memory that you look for, and he’s led in everything that we’ve done. He’s the first guy on lifts, he never gets down, and he always brings a certain energy and impact to the field.”
Gentry is excited about the chance to play for Graham.
“Man, it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “The culture has changed. It’s just the way that we’re working is, I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s truly a great experience to play for him.”
The Raiders picked up some big transfers in running back Jasiah Powell (Buchholz) and Keimarion “Keke” Neal (Fort White), who will play running back and wide receiver.
“It’s really crucial to have those guys,” Gentry said. “They’re all going to be great pieces for us. Like me and Jasiah, we’re a great one-two punch. Me and Kiki, we’re a great one-two punch. The best thing about us all is we all complement each other in different ways, to the point where if they’re stopping one, we go to the other. We have so many dimensions to our offense.”
Powell (5’9, 205), who earned some valuable playing time as a sophomore last year at Buchholz, has high praise for his new coach.
“It’s been great to play under Coach Graham, so far,” he said. “He preaches discipline and effort. He comes in with a great attitude. And, you know, being a running back, I can learn a lot from him since he’s played at higher levels.”
Powell is “an absolute stud” according to Graham, and an offensive lineman’s dream because of his ability to run north and south.
“It makes a whole big difference when you’ve got somebody there that you don’t have to teach them where the hole is,” offensive line coach Don Orth said. “He’s a good block follower, strong, quick. He’s going to make a big difference.”
There will be some returning seniors mixed in with some “veteran juniors” on the offensive line.
“We want to be strong, violent and quick,” said Orth. “We want to run the ball at will and be able to pass protect when we need to.”
There is a commonality among the unit.
“They all love to hit,” said senior Samuel Lopez, who has played for Santa Fe all four years. “They know their assignments. They know what to do. And when everything goes down, they know they just got to stay on a man. They know how to do their job.”
Neal only played in five games as a junior for the Indians but finished with 334 yards on 67 carries (5.0 yards per carry).
“Speedster,” Graham said of Neal. “He’s probably the most dynamic player on the team in terms of just speed and speed to the edge and explosive play potential. So, we’re looking forward to using him in some creative ways.”
He’ll also join junior Dantre Little as a top wide receiver in offensive coordinator Karl Harmon’s scheme.
“I’m a West Coast guy, and he’s (Harmon) more of an air raid spread guy, so we put together both of those,” Graham said.
Another Buchholz transfer, rising junior John Cutler, will help lead the defense from his linebacker spot.
Graham called the defense “stingy.”
“You know these guys, they fly around,” he said. “We’re physical. We’re going to make everybody work for everything.”
Class 2A-District 5 will be super competitive with reigning district champion Newberry, 2023 2A state runner-up Bradford (Starke), 2A regional quarterfinalist Palatka, and Keystone Heights.
The Raiders will host Zarephath Academy (Jacksonville) in the season opener on Aug. 29.
Santa Fe Raiders
2024 record: 1-9
Head coach: Earnest Graham
Years as head coach: 1st year
District assignment: Class 2A-District 5
Players to watch:
Tyler Gentry (QB, Sr.)
Jasiah Powell (RB, Jr.)
Samuel Lopez (OL, Sr.)
John Cutler (LB/WB, Jr.)
Keimarion Neal (RB/WR, Sr.)
Key games:
Sept. 12 vs. Palatka
Oct. 3 vs. Newberry
Oct. 10 at Keystone Heights
Oct. 17 vs. P.K. Yonge
Oct. 24 at Bradford (Starke)