Can the Golden Eagles Build Off Of Their Success Last Year?
Photo by JJ Bretado
The Golden Eagles football team is preparing for another season after finishing 7-3 last year, one of the strongest records in recent memory that included a big win over Ribault. The question now is whether the Eagles will match, exceed, or fall short of that success.
The 2025-26 season has already given fans a mix of highs and lows. The Eagles opened with a tough 54-14 road loss to West Nassau, but bounced back with two strong defensive performances. They shut down Wolfson 35-12 behind a standout effort from Stephen Akita, then followed with a 23-7 win over Christ Church Academy. Their momentum ended with a 49-7 loss to Williston, leaving Paxon at 2-2 heading into a rivalry matchup against Stanton, who also hold a 2-2 record.
Last year’s leaders left a strong impression, including wide receiver AJ Davis, who was central to the team’s run. Davis said the team’s mindset was always about staying focused on the present.
“Really just going 1-0 every week, focusing on the present,” Davis said. “Can’t glorify what went good the week before or dwell on what went wrong. Review the film, make the corrections, and lock in to who we’re playing this week.”
Photo by JJ Bretado
This year’s team faces the challenge of stepping into the spotlight while carrying the pressure of high expectations. Davis believes the Golden Eagles have the talent and work ethic to go even further.
“I believe ya’ll have the potential to perform at an even higher level than we did,” Davis said. “It’s up to ya’ll and how bad ya’ll want to be state champs. Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance.”
Health and conditioning will also play a major role in whether the Golden Eagles can sustain their momentum. Athletic trainer Ms. Tristyn emphasized the importance of nutrition and recovery.
“Hydration and nutrition are the number one thing I try to teach young athletes,” Tristyn said. “A healthy balance of carbs, fats, and proteins and plenty of water is the fuel you need to perform your best. Secondly, recovery days! Not every day has to be a strength or cardio workout, a yoga day, a pool day, or even just some stretching on off days will help your body recover quicker.”
She also noted that this year’s team has shown more awareness of their long-term health, asking questions and showing curiosity about how their bodies respond to training.
“I think this year’s team is definitely the most curious I’ve had,” Tristyn said. “They genuinely want to know what’s going on with their body. That showed me these kids are invested in the long-term health of their bodies and the impact that contact sports can have on them in the future.”
Davis added that enjoying the game and embracing the moment will be key for this year’s roster, especially the seniors.
“Don’t fear failure. Play free and have fun,” Davis said. “For the seniors, it’ll be over before you know it. You don’t want to think about what you ‘could’ve done.’ Do it!”
