The football program at Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, underwent a dramatic resurgence during the 2025 campaign, orchestrating one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Sunshine State high school athletics. Under the guidance of head coach Earnest Graham, a former Gator standout and NFL veteran entering his second season, the Raiders emerged from years of institutional struggles to finish with a 7-4 record and secure their first postseason berth since 2020.
The magnitude of this shift cannot be overstated. Prior to Graham’s arrival, Santa Fe had languished through an arduous four-year period marked by a combined record of 2-37 between 2021 and 2024. The 2025 campaign disrupted that narrative immediately, driven by an overhauled team culture, rigorous offseason conditioning, and tactical discipline on both sides of the ball.
With seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense, the Raiders enter the upcoming season positioned not as a one-year anomaly, but as a emerging powerhouse. Reinforced by elite returning upperclassmen and high-profile transfer talent, Santa Fe now transitions into Class 3A-District 5 with legitimate championship ambitions, seeking to re-establish Alachua as a permanent focal point for high school football excellence.
Detailed Chronology
SANTA FE FOOTBALL: PROGRAM RESURGENCE TIMELINE
[2021–2024] -------------------> [EARLY 2025] -----------------> [FALL 2025] ------------------> [POSTSEASON 2025] -------------> [2026 OFFSEASON]
Program Wilderness Era Earnest Graham Hired 4-0 Regular Season Start 2A-Region 2 Quarterfinal Class 3A-District 5 Move
2-37 combined record Culture shift initiated Averaged 28.7 PPG 34-30 thriller vs Calvary Chr. Gavin Peterson transfers in
Phase I: The Wilderness Years (2021–2024)
Following their 2020 playoff appearance, the Santa Fe Raiders entered a severe downturn. Over a four-year span, the program managed just two victories against 37 defeats. Roster attrition, frequent coaching adjustments, and a decline in player turnout undermined team morale. Local youth talent frequently opted to play outside the district, diminishing the program’s foundation and eroding community engagement in Alachua.
Phase II: The Arrival of Earnest Graham (Early 2025)
The hiring of Earnest Graham prior to the 2025 season marked a distinct turning point. Graham brought immediate credibility and professional-level standards to the weight room and practice field. The coaching staff implemented early-morning workouts, structured film study, and an accountable strength program. This off-season protocol reset team expectations and cultivated buy-in across all grade levels.
Phase III: The 2025 Breakout Campaign
The architectural shift yielded immediate on-field results in the fall of 2025:
The 4-0 Start: Santa Fe opened the season with four consecutive victories, immediately surpassing their win total from the previous four years combined.
Regular Season Execution: Powered by a physical rushing attack and opportunistic defense, the Raiders finished the regular season 7-3, capturing a spot in the Class 2A state playoff bracket.
Regional Quarterfinal Thriller: In the Class 2A-Region 2 Quarterfinals, Santa Fe traveled to Clearwater to face powerhouse Calvary Christian. In a game featuring multiple lead changes, the Raiders narrowly fell 34-30, proving their capacity to compete with elite state programs.
Building on the momentum of their 7-4 finish, the Raiders preserved core veteran stability while adding major transfer talent. The arrival of high-profile junior quarterback Gavin Peterson, alongside the retention of key linemen and defensive anchors, positions Santa Fe for a run in their new alignment within Class 3A-District 5.
Supporting Context & Metrics
Santa Fe’s transition from a rearguard program to a postseason contender is supported by balanced production across offense, defense, and special teams.
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| 2025 PROGRAM METRICS AT A GLANCE |
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| Overall Record | 7-4 |
| Home Record / Away Record | 4-1 / 3-3 |
| Points Per Game (Offense) | 28.7 PPG |
| Points Allowed Per Game (Defense) | 18.0 PPG |
| Postseason Result | 2A-Region 2 Quarterfinalist |
| Returning Starters (Off/Def) | 7 / 8 |
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Offensive Breakdown & Schematics
Under offensive coordinator Karl Harmon, Santa Fe averaged 28.7 points per game in 2025, primarily utilizing an aggressive, downhill running scheme complemented by play-action passing.
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| KEY OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS |
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| Player | Position | Class | Key Statistics / Metrics |
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| Jasiah Powell | RB | Senior | 1,353 Rush Yds, 6.6 YPC, 18 TDs (5'10", 215) |
| Gavin Peterson | QB | Junior | 850 Pass Yds, 891 Rush Yds, 10 TDs* (6'1,170)|
| Oscar Leon | OL | Junior | Returning Tackle Starter (6'4", 300 lbs) |
| Dantre Little | WR/ATH | Senior | Versatile Utility / Emergency QB (5'10", 168)|
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*Stats recorded during 2025 season at Bartram Trail High School.
The Backfield Anchor: Senior running back Jasiah Powell served as the engine of the offensive unit. At 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, Powell combined interior power with speed, amassing 1,353 yards on 205 carries (6.6 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns. His performance earned him Big School First Team All-Area honors.
Quarterback Upgrade: The offense gains a new dimension with junior transfer Gavin Peterson (6’1", 170 lbs), who arrives from Bartram Trail (St. Johns). As a sophomore in Class 4A competition, Peterson passed for 850 yards and rushed for 891 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns. Peterson possesses athletic lineage: he is the son of former Florida Gator and NFL linebacker Mike Peterson Sr., and the nephew of former Georgia Southern and NFL running back Adrian Peterson.
Offensive Line Stability: Four starters return to the offensive line, led by junior tackle Oscar Leon (6’4", 300 lbs), providing the push required to execute both power-gap running schemes and quick-release passing protocols.
OFFENSIVE SCHEMATIC SPECTRUM
[Power Run Game: J. Powell (215 lbs)] <---> [Dual-Threat QB Dynamics: G. Peterson] <---> [Spread Receiver Sets: D. Little]
| | |
Supported by 300lb T Oscar Leon 891 Rush Yds / 850 Pass Yds Explosive Perimeter Play
Defensive Structure & Production
Coordinated by Jason Powell, the Santa Fe defense surrendered just 18.0 points per game in 2025, holding opponents under 20 points in five separate contests. The defense utilizes a hybrid front capable of switching between 4-3 and 3-4 alignments depending on opponent personnel.
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| KEY DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS |
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| Player | Position | Class | Role / Key Statistics |
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| Cole Chong-you | DE | Senior | 10 Sacks, Honorable Mention All-Area (6'1",225)|
| Braylin Jones | DL/LB/S | Junior | Hybrid Utility Defender |
| Elon James | FS/CB | Senior | Primary Coverage / Secondary Anchor |
| Dantre Little | CB/FS | Senior | Perimeter Pass Coverage |
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Pass Rush: Senior defensive end Cole Chong-you (6’1", 225 lbs) leads the front four after racking up a team-high 10 sacks in 2025, earning Honorable Mention All-Area honors.
Defensive Versatility: Junior Braylin Jones functions as the defense’s structural wildcard. Capable of lining up at defensive end, inside linebacker, or strong safety, Jones allows the coaching staff to disguise coverages and adjust fronts without making sub-personnel changes.
Secondary Depth: Senior Elon James returns to anchor the secondary alongside Dantre Little. James will take on expanded responsibilities, rotating between free safety and field cornerback to match up against top opponent receivers.
Special Teams Precision
Special teams played a decisive role in Santa Fe’s tight games in 2025. Senior kicker Mayer Steen converted 33 of 36 extra-point attempts and went a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal attempts, including a program-record 47-yard kick. Steen’s range and conversion rate give Santa Fe a consistent scoring option from inside the opponent’s 35-yard line.
Official Statements
The core architects of Santa Fe’s turnaround emphasize that structural discipline and community buy-in drove the program’s resurgence.
On Culture Shift and Accountability
"It was really just a culture shift really from Coach Graham coming in, and just the belief of all the guys being willing to come in every day, early mornings, late nights, and just putting in the work consistently, and really believing that we could be that team that can be a playoff team."
— Cole Chong-you, Senior Defensive End
On Offensive Progression & Execution
"It was an exciting year, man. For Santa Fe, big turnaround, community involvement, community support, just really putting down our game plan and figuring out what we’re going to do each week was just a blessing. Everything came together wonderfully, and results are out there on the field."
— Karl Harmon, Offensive Coordinator
On Defensive Expectations & Structural Re-adjustment
"I think it was just one of those years where we were coming out trying to prove to ourselves that we could play good football, just kind of readjusted some structure and some discipline into the program, and we just went out and competed every week, giving only your best every week."
— Jason Powell, Defensive Coordinator
"He’s probably our best defensive player on the team. He can play on each level, the D-line, linebacker; he can play as safety if we need him to, so he’s our hybrid guy that we can do different things with each week."
— Jason Powell, Defensive Coordinator, on junior Braylin Jones.
On Local Impact and Long-Term Program Identity
"I think it helped get the community back believing in what we were doing or what we were trying to do, and what Santa Fe football has been in the past. It helps the local kids want to stay in Alachua at Santa Fe High School, looking forward to something when they are growing up."
— Jason Powell, Defensive Coordinator
Future Outlook
Santa Fe enters the upcoming season under an entirely different set of expectations. No longer an underdog hunting for respectability, the Raiders carry the pressure of maintaining a championship-caliber standard.
District Realignment Mechanics
Florida’s high school athletics governing body shifted Santa Fe into Class 3A-District 5. This realignment moves the program into a competitive landscape against both regional powers and established district opponents.
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| CLASS 3A-DISTRICT 5 COMPETITORS |
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| Program | Profile & Challenge Assessment |
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| Santa Fe (Alachua) | Returning 15 starters; high-octane run game. |
| Eastside (Gainesville)| In-county rival; athletic depth in secondary. |
| Dunnellon | Physical line play; historic regional power. |
| North Marion (Citra) | Fast-paced spread offense; deep talent pool. |
| Belleview | Disciplined front seven; strong run defense. |
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Key Schedule Checkpoints
The upcoming schedule features critical non-district tests designed to prepare the Raiders for postseason play, alongside high-stakes district battles:
2026 KEY REGULAR SEASON MATCHUPS
[Aug 21: at Newberry] ---> [Sept 18: at Fort White] ---> [Oct 1: vs Buchholz] ---> [Oct 8: at Eastside*]
Season Opener Test Physical Road Test 6A In-County Clash District 5 Showdown
August 21 at Newberry: A challenging season opener on the road against a disciplined local rival. This contest will serve as the initial field test for transfer quarterback Gavin Peterson and the updated offensive scheme.
September 18 at Fort White: A traditional rural matchup featuring physical defensive play, testing Santa Fe’s interior running game ahead of district play.
October 1 vs. Buchholz: A marquee home matchup against a larger Gainesville-area program. Facing Class 6A caliber competition will provide a clear gauge of Santa Fe’s operational threshold.
October 8 at Eastside: A game with direct implications for the Class 3A-District 5 title. Defeating Eastside on the road will likely be required to secure a home playoff seed.
Long-Term Sustainability
With 15 total starters returning, a rejuvenated home atmosphere, and local middle school talent staying in Alachua, Santa Fe has re-established its pipeline. Under Earnest Graham’s leadership, the Raiders have transformed from a struggling program into a competitive Class 3A contender, setting a clear blueprint for sustainable success.
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