For the Saint Francis Catholic Academy football team, moving from conventional 11-man football to the 8-man game was a change that came with plenty of uncertainty. But after an early adjustment period, the Wolves have found their rhythm and now find themselves as a legitimate playoff contender with hopes of a state championship run.
“We were definitely a little skeptical at first, but soon realized it was a great fit for the school and what we could do as a program,” said junior wide receiver Gabe Long. “For me as a receiver it wasn’t much different, it’s a lot of one-on-one anyway, so I kind of like it.”
Long turned in the best performance of his high school career last Friday night, catching four passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns in a playoff win over Lake Mary Prep. For his efforts, he has been named this week’s UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week.
“I was really excited to hear that I was this week’s winner, but I definitely think this is a team award for sure,” Long said. “If I don’t have the guys getting me the ball or the players up front blocking, we aren’t going to have the success we do, so I’m grateful for all of my teammates.”
The junior has a long-standing connection with one of those teammates, quarterback Jake Long, who also happens to be his cousin. Another cousin, Carson, also plays on the team, creating a family connection that helps drive their chemistry on and off the field.
“We have great chemistry and have been throwing the ball in the backyard together for 10 to 12 years,” Long said. “The entire team has developed a lot, and each of us has gotten better at our individual jobs.”
That improvement has shown up on the scoreboard. Over their last three games, the Wolves have averaged 48 points per game, including last week’s hard-fought playoff victory, which Long called their toughest win of the season.
“We had high expectations going into the year and just kept working and trusting the coaching staff with what they were telling us,” he said. “The team fought really hard and it came down to a big stop on fourth down. Everyone did their job and executed their assignment, and we get to keep playing another week.”
Saint Francis will face The Classical Academy of Sarasota on Friday night in the state playoffs, and Long said the team’s success wouldn’t be possible without the support of their fans.
“People just kept showing up last week, and I looked at the stands and it was lined from end zone to end zone,” Long said. “Fans are traveling three hours to watch us, and it definitely makes a difference knowing they’re there for us.”
Each weekly UF Health Athlete of the Week winner becomes eligible for the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year Scholarship, a $2,500 award presented at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.