When Oak Hall School football coach R.J. Fuhr announced he was stepping down this past summer, the Eagles named Randy Brower as interim head football coach for the 2024 season.

Expectations were high for the father-son duo of Randy and senior Dakota Brower, who threw for 1,215 yards and 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions as a junior and ran for 515 yards and 10 TDs.

However, Dakota suffered a broken clavicle (collarbone) in a season-opening loss to Bell.

The Eagles got an answered prayer as he returned under center on Saturday night in a 41-12 win at home against Eagle’s View Academy (Jacksonville).

While there no games on Friday, OHS was able to get their game in, marking the return of the University of Pennsylvania commit.

“Initially, he was told he might be back by the playoffs,” said his dad. “He was in therapy every day and lived on therapeutic machines. So, six weeks after the break he was back in at QB to have a great first game back.”

It was a big game indeed as Dakota, who missed two games totally and kicked and punted the next two games, completed 14-of-19 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns.

“He only pulled the ball once and went up the sideline for 40,” Randy said. “He was 5-of-5 on extra points.”

After consecutive losses to Master’s Academy of Oviedo (57-20) and Mount Dora Christian Academy (27-13), it was a season-high in points for the Eagles, who evened their overall record at 3-3 and improved to 2-1 in the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA)

“The win puts us back on track for the (SSAA) playoffs,” Randy said. “I hope Dakota’s return will add a spark to the team. He did not have to come back. He had already committed to UPenn. He came back for the love of the team and for the love of the game.”

Oak Hall is back in action this Friday at home against Interlachen. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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