Multiple players on Lake Oconee Academy’s football team recently garnered All-Region honors after coaches of Class A Division II’s Region 8 voted six Titans to the first and second teams.
Two other Titans also made the honorable mention list for their 2024 on-field performances.
“Being with these guys all through their middle school and high school careers, I couldn’t be more proud of our All-Region players,” LOA head coach Patrick Stewart said. “Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence on and off the field exemplify what it means to represent our program. They are a testament to the strength of our team, the support of our community, and the bright future of our program.”
Lake Oconee Academy quarterback Ike O’Neal and tight end Reid Davis were named to the Region 8 first-team offense. The two playmakers made a noteworthy impact for the Titans this past season.
O’Neal passed for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns as a senior and rushed for four scores in 10 games. Davis hauled in 25 receptions for 276 yards, both team-highs. He also tied for first in touchdowns with two.
Defensive lineman Kaleb Mathis and punter John Funderburke were named to the All-Region second-team defense.
Mathis, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior, finished the 2024 season with 33 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a sack. Funderburke averaged more net punt yards than any other specialist in Region 8 as a sophomore this past year.
Freshman wide receiver CJ Stembridge was the only LOA offensive playmaker named to the second-team offense. At the same time, senior linebacker Cameron Kelley was the lone Titan defender named to the second-team defense.
Junior tailback Walker Poyner and senior defensive lineman Mason Salemi made the honorable mention list.
In 2024, Lake Oconee Academy went 5-5 overall and missed the Class A Division II postseason. It was the first season the Titans could make the playoffs. They played a non-region schedule the previous three years.
LOA returns most of its roster next year after losing only 10 seniors in 2024, so Stewart knows the future is bright.
“For the season as a whole, I am so proud of our team, especially our seniors,” Stewart said in November. “Our seniors are leaving a high standard for these underclassmen to try and meet daily. They showed them how it’s done, and now the young guys have turned. This football team has made a tremendous positive impact not only on the field but also on our school and community. I am so proud of them.”