Things got off to a fast start in 2023 for P.K. Yonge football coach Willie Jackson, who was named his alma mater’s head coach in May of that year.

He didn’t have that long to work with his new team before the season began last fall, yet the Blue Wave had road wins at Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) and Mount Dora Christian Academy and a quick 2-0 start.

It was quite impressive despite a deficiency in numbers, but that’s a matter of perspective.

“I guess for me, the numbers aren’t really an issue because I went to P.K. Yonge and I think I remember one of my teams had 18-19 kids, so I’m not surprised by the numbers,” Jackson said. “The numbers are going to be what they are. I think just being able to compete and to put out a good product is what I’m most interested in.”

Rising freshman Kamryn Stokes had a different view but he saw firsthand Jackson’s ability to keep the team together.

“Last year I just felt like we didn’t have a lot of players,” said Stokes, who will play center and defensive tackle. “I didn’t think we were going to have a team, honestly, but we pulled through.”

The Blue Wave (3-7) ended up losing their final five games, but three of the five losses were by 12 points or less.

Despite the losing season, Jackson is optimistic heading into his second season.

“I’ve had a complete offseason to work with them,” he said. “I tried to get them to buy in. That’s the biggest thing. Last year we didn’t have a complete offseason. We had a lot of kids leave at the last minute. That’s the nature of the beast that’s among us right now, so that’s not an issue. This year I feel a lot more comfortable going into the season because we’ve had a complete offseason.”

Jackson is trying to get the offense going, which he said is about “timing,” but he must have the pieces in place, too. P.K. Yonge is looking to improve after scoring 16.2 points per game.

“I can construct and orchestrate and create something if I know my pieces,” he said. “So if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I know what I’m dealing with, I know what I’m faced with…so now I have to work on being creative enough to put together something with all of my shortcomings.”

Youth on the offensive line will be the biggest concern as Stokes is the most experienced offensive lineman, even though he only played 7-8 plays per game last year as an eighth grader.

Osceola (Kissimmee) transfer Anthony Powers (6’2, 200) will be the starting quarterback for P.K. Yonge.

Powers has experience under center, and he feels his biggest strength is analyzing everything that is going on before the play.

“You have to be aware of what’s going on with your team and everything around you to be successful,” said Powers, who is more of a pocket passer. “If you can know where you are going with the ball before the play, then your whole team will be successful.”

His arm gives Jackson the tools he needs to run his air it out style of offense.

“That’s one of things that makes me go ‘hey, we’ve got a chance’ because when you have a guy that has an arm like that, and I had a whole season to work with him. I mean last year’s quarterback had a good arm, but I didn’t have time to work with him because we had to play right away,” Jackson said. “As much talent as he has, he’s willing to learn, and that’s all I need, a guy that is willing to learn.”

Despite a youthful offensive line, the skill positions should be really good.

“We have some talent on the outside,” Jackson said.

Ty Moses, who was a catcher for Trenton’s final four team this past spring, is another key addition at wide receiver and safety/cornerback.

Moses is looking forward to playing for Jackson.

“He’s a great mentor,” Moses said. “Coming in as a receiver it’s the type of guy you want to be coached by, a real solid coach.”

Rising senior Ciaran Foley, who was third on the Blue Wave boys soccer team this past winter with 14 goals, joined the team to kick and punt.

“I think that will be good for us,” Jackson said. “We didn’t have a kicker. We didn’t even kick last year.”

Foley’s speed will also make him a weapon on offense as a wide receiver.

Although this is his first year participating in football, he did kick a 50-yard field goal in practice.

“It’s going good, I really enjoy it,” Foley said. “It’s a new challenge. I like that. It’s different than kicking a soccer ball. I just have to get used to transitioning from a soccer ball to a football.”

The defense mostly consists of offensive players, so staying healthy will be important because when you lose one starter you are quickly down two or three.

Depth and injuries aside, Jackson said most of the onus this season is on him.

“I’ve just got to do a great job of coaching,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. We have some pieces, but if things don’t work on game day it’s because you’ve got to coach a little better.”

The Blue Wave will travel to Santa Fe (Alachua) for the regular season opener on Aug. 23.