The Saint Francis Catholic Academy football program has struggled the past few years.

However, the Wolves will get a chance to be more competitive as they drop down to eight-man football in the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA).

They will also have a new coach as Tim Place takes over for James Langham, who is now the defensive coordinator at Bronson.

“In my humble opinion, I think Saint Francis is a sleeping giant, just because it’s the only Catholic school,” Place said. “I think it has a real good academic reputation. If we can have some success on the field, you might be able to get some more people involved in the program…Effort, commitment, dedication have nothing to do with God-given ability. It has everything to do with choice. Every day, if we’re putting forth elite effort, if we have great commitment, great dedication to the cause, we’ll see where that takes us.”

Place, who served as the head coach for 12 seasons at Chowan University, a Division-II program in North Carolina, has never coached 8-man football before, but he is not concerned about the transition.

“It’s still football,” said Place, who has been an assistant coach since 2019 at Creekside (St. Johns), Trenton and DeLand. “There’s just three less players. The field is 40 yards wide. I believe in the state of Florida, it’s 100 length and 40 wide…it will be an interesting experience.”

Dropping from 11-man down to 8-man should help the Wolves be more competitive.

“My initial thoughts were kind of positive, because we’re a smaller school,” said senior offensive lineman Will Elder (6’2, 230). “We’ve got a small team, and unfortunately, last year it was full of freshmen, so we didn’t really have a strong team. We were going into these public schools that have a varsity and a JV, and we’re not given that option. So, I think eight-man will help us win more games than we won last year.”

Even one win would be an improvement for the Wolves, who have three winless seasons in the past five years and are 3-45 during that stretch.

“As I’ve told the young men, it’s not about what has happened in the past, it’s about what happens today moving forward,” Place said. “I have 19 young men who are working hard, who are fun to be around, and to me that’s what is most important.”

According to Place, the maximum number of players you can carry on an eight-man roster is 25.

“At least we have a two-deep,” he said. “I heard that they were showing up to some games last year with 14, and that’s just not conducive for success. I think whoever made the decision (dropping to eight-man) made the right decision.”

Place, who was hired on May 5, said the key is to understand that games are not won and lost on game day.

“Games are won Monday through Thursday,” he said. “There’s absolutely nothing magical that can be said five minutes before a game…it’s about a process…how are your practice habits? Are you putting the time into the weight room in the in-season lift program? Are you taking care of your body? Are you hydrating and eating? Are you watching the film? Are you paying attention in film study? Are you looking at and reading the game notes that we provide you?”

Carson (5’10, 180), Gabe (6’, 155), and Jake (6’3, 200) Long are expected to make an impact this year.

Gabe, who will play defensive back, corner, wide receiver and return kicks, and Jake (QB/DB) are juniors, while Carson (RB/LB) is a rising freshman.

“The offense is good,” Gabe Long said. “It’s a little different than what we were running last year but I think if everyone does their job, it should run pretty smooth.”

In order for the offense to play well, the offensive line will have to set the tone.

“It’s going to start up front,” Place said. “I mean, if you have the ability to block, you’ve got the ability to run the ball. If you have the ability to run the ball, then you have the ability to pass the ball. So, if our offensive line is able to get done what we need to get done, I think we’ll have a chance.”

Defensively, Bryan Morris (6’3, 270) is one of their biggest players, but he lacks experience as a rising sophomore.

The Wolves will open the regular season at First Academy-Leesburg and end the season at new rival Countryside Christian.

“I’m really looking forward to Countryside,” Gabe Long said. “They’re known to compete in this league, and think if we work together, we could have a good shot at playing good against them. And then First Academy, we played them my freshman year for 11-man, and it was a good game. It was good competition. I’m really looking forward to those two.”

Saint Francis Catholic Academy Wolves

2024 record: 0-9

Head coach: Tim Place

Years as head coach: 1st year

District assignment: SSAA 8-man

Players to watch:

Will Elder (OL/DL, Sr.)

Daniel Johnson (OL/DL Sr.)

Gabe Long (DB/WR, Jr.)

Jake Long (QB/DB, Jr.)

Bryan Morris (OL/DL, So.)

Key games:

Aug. 22 at First Academy-Leesburg

Sept. 12 vs. Cornerstone Academy

Sept. 19 vs. Gainesville Christian Community

Oct. 3 at Ocala Christian

Oct. 24 at Countryside Christian