It’s that time of year once again where shoulder pads are being strapped on, chin straps are being tightened and high school football programs start chomping at the bit to get back onto the field.

Friday nights are about to get turned up across Southwest Florida as countless talented teams call the region home.

The Breeze is highlighting West Zone and other local teams leading into the regular season to give fans an early look at their favorite team. We sat down with each head coach and select players a series of questions on what they expect from their program.

Look for continued coverage of local high school programs in The Breeze in upcoming editions as we continue the journey to Friday nights where the lights shine the brightest.

Oasis High School

Head Coach: Brice Bearman (1st year)

2023 record: 6-4

Competes in: Sunshine State Athletic Conference

First regular season game: Aug. 22 at home vs Gateway Charter; 7 p.m.

The Sharks look to build on a successful season last year in coach Brice Bearman’s first year at the helm. Oasis reached the semifinals of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference 5A State Championships last season before falling in overtime to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal.

How do you feel as a program heading into the season?

“I actually feel a lot better than I did when I came in, and that wasn’t due to the kids, it was just getting caught up with everything, getting programs set, establishing standards, implementing new systems,” Bearman said. “There has been a lot to get caught up on, but we are getting there and the kids, the administration, the parents and the faculty here at Oasis have been fantastic. It’s been so good in fact that we are at 59 players in a school of just over 900 with a full JV squad that is playing five games. They have all welcomed me with open arms and we are all on the same page.”

Expectations from the team on and off the field?

“The expectations that I have for this team are the same for both on and off the field. I expect them to give their best effort in everything they do. I expect them to be intense and aggressive in every task they take on. I expect them to be loyal and committed to their families, their teammates, this program, Oasis Charter High School and this community. I expect them to be the standard that others in this school and community can look at and be proud of, on and off the field.”

How do you plan to build off of last season?

“Last season was undoubtedly a success and we have a lot of pieces left over from that team that will help us this year. But we can’t look back. Each and every team is different and has its own unique feel to it. As a team we are focused on the little things and the things that we can control. We have implemented some new schemes and we are completely focused on getting better every time that we step out onto the field whether it be the practice field or the game field. These are smart kids with high effort high energy motors. They are focused on doing the little things that will make them better and as a coach that is awesome to be around,that is how we get better and build, not just from the year before, but the practice before.”

How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?

“I’ve been around for a while and I am old school at heart. I believe that this is a physical game and that it needs to be played with physicality and intensity. That does not mean that we are 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Offensively we have skill players all over that we need to put in positions to be successful, but we would be crazy not to do that, offensively you can have finesse and still be physical. On defense, which is where I cut my teeth, we will be fast, physical and we will relentlessly run to the ball.”

What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?

“To teach this young group of men that the only thing that they can control is what they put into it. Effort is the only thing that we can’t coach, everything else can be fixed. They are really buying into that and the practices are highly competitive. We are two platoons at almost every spot and the practices are intense. They are competitive and the kids are really getting after it in the right way.”

Expected challenges?

“I can only say that our biggest challenge is staying focused on us, and that is not to say that our schedule is not challenging. It absolutely is and it will be difficult to traverse this year. I mean that no matter who is across the field from us on any Friday night, that the things we can control are us, and that we need to focus on that and take care of the little things that are important to our success. If we do that every Friday night then win or lose we will have done everything we could have and will leave the field with our heads up.”

Players to watch this year?

Captains:

• Parker Smith, quarterback, senior

• Colin Anderson, linebacker, senior

• Josh Vasallo, offensive line, senior

• Fredrick Harley Jr., running back, senior

• Nolan Cox, offensive line, senior

• Sean McFee, defensive line, senior

• Rex Williams, defensive back, senior