BEACHSIDE - The Oakleaf High football Knights secured a Halloween victory with a dominant 31–8 win over Tocoi Creek High in their final regular season game, held Friday, Oct. 31, at Tocoi Creek. 

Senior wide receiver and James Madison University commit Trace Burney, along with junior WR/DB Mike Conner, were the stars of the night. Burney finished with 87 receiving yards and one touchdown on seven catches. Conner made an impact on both sides of the ball, tallying 66 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches, while also breaking up three passes on defense—two of which nearly resulted in interceptions. 

Oakleaf entered the game already locked into the FHSAA 6A playoffs and aimed to boost their win total while giving less-rotated players valuable game experience. 

 
“It takes depth,” said head coach Christopher Foy about rotating players in the final regular season game. “If you do it all the way, that’s another five games, that’s another half season, and we play a physical schedule.” 

Coming off a tough loss to Mandarin the previous week, the Knights started strong with an 80-yard punt return touchdown by senior and UAB commit Jordin Prince. Oakleaf jumped out to a 24–0 lead in the first half and began rotating in substitutes for the remainder of the game. Their defensive intensity and physicality allowed them to involve a wide range of players.
After Prince’s return, Oakleaf scored again in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Conner, extending the lead to 14–0.

The Knights then surprised the Toros with a perfectly executed onside kick, recovered by senior kicker Sam Pena.

Following the recovery, Oakleaf drove downfield but was held to a 35-yard field goal by Pena. On Tocoi Creek’s next possession, senior DB Ashnel Louiceus intercepted a pass on the sideline, setting up Oakleaf’s offense at their own 15-yard line. The Knights capitalized with a three-yard touchdown run by CJ Moses Jr., pushing the lead to 24–0. 

In the second half, Oakleaf continued to rotate players, building experience while protecting starters for the playoffs. Despite the changes, the Knights’ defense remained stout, allowing just one touchdown all game. Their resilience was especially notable given the extended time they spent on the field in the second half. 

Tocoi Creek scored their lone touchdown early in fourth quarter and followed it with a surprise onside kick, which they recovered. In response, Coach Foy reinserted starting quarterback senior Jack McKissock, who led a scoring drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Burney, bringing the final score to 31-8. 

Oakleaf finished the regular season with an 8–2 record with region playoffs to start Nov. 14. Their next opponent is yet to be determined. When asked about the team’s focus heading into the postseason, Coach Foy simply said, “Treatment, film study, and game planning.” 

The Knights will be watching closely to see who they’ll face in the playoffs and will look to implement a game plan that sets them up for success.

Region 1-6A

1. Buchholz 9-1, 9th in FL, 2nd in 6A, Strength of Schedule (SOS) 33.0 (Beat 1A-Cardinal Newman 34-30)
2. Mandarin, 9-1, 17th in FL, 3rd in 6A, SOS 31.5 (Beat 5A-St. Augustine, 27-21)
3. Pace, 9-1, 18th in FL, 4th in 6A, SOS 27.1 (Beat 5A-Milton 49-7)
4. Nease, 8-2, 23rd in FL, 5th in 6A, SOS 32.8 (Beat 5A-Beachside 47-17)
5. Oakleaf, 8-2, 37th in FL, 8th in 6A, SOS 29.3 (Beat 6A-Tocoi Creek 31-8)
6. Evans, 8-2, 45th in FL, 9th in 6A, SOS 16.8 (Beat Freelance-Oak Ridge 73-0)
7. Crestview, 6-3, 67th in FL, 13th in 6A, SOS 35.60 (Beat 4A-Fort Walton Beach 34-11)
8. Oviedo, 8-2, 100th in FL, 17th in 6A, SOS 30.2 (Beat 3A-Eustis 63-6)

Playoff scenario

Oviedo at Buchholz; Crestview at Mandarin, Evans at Pace, Oakleaf at Nease 9.