Holy Trinity Episcopal posted its eighth-straight winning season in 2025, reaching the SSAA 11-man playoffs in its first year in the league. The Tigers embrace a new challenge this season, rejoining the FHSAA as an inaugural member of the Independent Division with a young and talented roster. “We got a lot of new kids, inexperienced kids to this particular program that are coming from different programs. They are extremely hard workers. They work really hard and they really want it,” Holy Trinity head coach Hurlie Brown said. “They want to be good. They’re attentive. This is what we’ve tried to build and we’ve finally gotten it to that point now where these guys are doing exactly what we’ve been teaching them.” Holy Trinity finished last season 7-3 and lost in the first round of the state playoffs to Westminster Academy. Brown said the focus has been ironing out some of the inconsistencies. “More reps, more communication,” Brown said. “You approach every season with the intention that we’re going to communicate, watch film, we’re going to practice, we’re going to run these reps. It’s always the same. It’s just a matter of how it’s received.”
Offensively, the team will look different after the graduation of quarterback Rico Buitrago, running back Jordan Osborne and wide receiver Jaeden McMillan. Brown said he wants the unit to be more consistent. “We need to run the ball better. We need to be able to throw the ball down the field. The little things that we can do better,” Brown said. “We can do better blocking on the perimeter. Offensive line-wise, we’re pretty good. We’re better than what we were last year.” Brown said the starting quarterback will be Melbourne Central Catholic transfer Jackson Mobley. Among the skill position players are Jadiel Corbin and Michael Jackson. “(Corbin) is going to be a freak of nature. He’s just one of those that you look at now and you’re like, 'he’s got it,'” Brown said. “Michael is 14 years old. Last spring, he ran the third-fastest time in the 100 meters for a 13-year-old in history. We got some guys that are really special.” Defensively, Holy Trinity will be led by senior Oliver Esmailzadeh. He leads all returners with 56 tackles. The senior led the team last season with 19 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. “Oliver (Esmailzadeh) is one of the leaders on the team. He’s got a couple offers already and he’s just a worker. I challenged him this offseason and he stood up to the challenge. I’m looking forward to him having a great season,” Brown said. “He’s a blue-collar worker. He just shows up every day and goes to work. He’ll give you that little smile and he just keeps on going. He doesn’t talk much. He’s just a great kid.” Tigers junior Xavier Faison is among the returners on the defensive line after posting 15 tackles and 1 sack. Junior Zach Curran returns after finishing fourth on the team with 42 tackles and junior Hayden Argo tied for the team lead with 4 interceptions. “Xavier (Faison) is a big kid, but he’s very athletic for his size. He’s got quick feet. He’s a joy to watch," Brown said. "Zach’s (Curran) a great kid. He works his butt off and he practices extremely hard. He has a high football IQ. I’m expecting great things from him. Hayden Argo was one of our better players last year. He’s playing at outside linebacker and safety. Another hard-working kid, high football IQ and a kid who shows every day and goes to work.” Holy Trinity will play in Pool B South of the Independent Division that features schools with an enrollment of 859 and below. Eight teams from the North and South regions in each pool will qualify for the 16-team state playoffs. The Tigers begin the regular season on Aug. 21 against Bayside. “(The goal is) to go out there and play as hard as we possibly can every single Friday. You want to come to practice every day and give it everything you got,” Brown said. “Our motto this year is no regrets. Every day we got to come over here and we can’t walk out of the locker room and out of this facility and say I wish I had done more.” Head coach: Hurlie Brown begins his fifth season as Holy Trinity’s head coach. Postseason history: Holy Trinity will play the 2026 season in the newly formed FHSAA Independent Division. Playoff seasons: ’25 (SSAA); ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’13, ’15, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ’23, ’24 (FHSAA). Playoff record: 0-1 (SSAA); 3-15 (FHSAA). 2026 Holy Trinity Episcopal Schedule Aug. 14 vs. Melbourne Central Catholic (Kickoff Classic), 7 p.m. Aug. 21 vs. Bayside, 7 p.m. Aug. 28 vs. Titusville, 7 p.m. Sept. 11 vs. Port St. Lucie, 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Somerset Canyons 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at John Carroll Catholic, 7 p.m. Oct. 9 vs. The Masters Academy (Oviedo), 7 p.m. Oct. 16 vs. Centennial, 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Space Coast, 7 p.m. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tour of Brevard: Holy Trinity embraces challenge as FHSAA Independent