Seabreeze players, coaches excited to begin preseason practice

Third-year head coach Mike Klein expects big jump in offensive production in coordinator Matt Dickmann's second season with the Sandcrabs.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 2:00 p.m. July 30, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Sports
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Seabreeze head football coach Mike Klein kicked off his third preseason with the Sandcrabs on Monday, July 27.

Klein said that due to the non-contact nature of the first week of practice, there is little physicality on the field; therefore, the emphasis is on learning the game.

Through individual drills, Klein said, his players are understanding their stance, technique and steps while team drills teach them who to block, where they fit and who to cover.


We’ve got the culture established now, and we’ve got a lot of good leadership from the older guys. I think everybody’s really excited to be back out there. Learning the game is really the focus of this week. It was a good, good day one.
— MIKE KLEIN, Seabreeze head coach

“We’ve got the culture established now, and we’ve got a lot of good leadership from the older guys,” he said. “I think everybody’s really excited to be back out there. Learning the game is really the focus of this week. It was a good, good day one.”

Returning on the defensive line are rising seniors Hezekiah Perea, Matthew Wells and Simeon Daffin, who have played together for the past three years. New to the group is Father Lopez transfer Nick Viscomi. Coming in behind them are rising juniors Tristan Mobley, Jaycob Acosta, and Jacob Doherty.

“We’ve got a group on the defensive line coming back that I really like,” Klein said. “We’ve got a lot of depth on that line, and some real athleticism. So I think that group’s going to really shine for us.”

Offensive coordinator Matt Dickmann is going into his second season at Seabreeze. At this point, the players on offense are familiar with the system and each other, Klein said. They know when to communicate and call their blocks and schemes.

“I think we have a tight-knit offensive line group up front,” Klein said. “I know for me, defensively we took such a big jump from year one to year two. So, I think we’re going to see that on that side of the ball this season. We’re just starting in a position now where we’re so much further ahead than where we were last year at this time.”

Senior wide receiver Danny Spada led the team with 110 yards receiving last season. He said his teammates may have had first-day jitters because he saw a lot of slacking on the first day of practice.

“Honestly, kids are getting complacent, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard than that,” he said. “I need to lead and encourage them. Not tell them what they’re doing wrong. Tell them how to fix what they’re doing wrong. They have to want it as bad as me.”

Sophomore Noah Bogdanowicz is Seabreeze’s starting quarterback entering the season. He has played in the hot seat since he was 6 years old. His oldest brother, Tyler, was also a quarterback and has been teaching him a lot about the nuances of the position.

“There were a few stupid mistakes (at practice), but I think the guys are trying pretty hard to get better out here,” Bogdanowicz said. “I feel a little bit of pressure (as the starting quarterback), but I’m trying to really prepare myself for game time.”

Klein said a quarterback needs to run the offense, know where everybody lines up, make checks and read coverages. It is not an easy job, but entering his sophomore season, Bogdanowicz is much further ahead mentally than most players his age, Klein said.

“He’s got a great demeanor,” Klein said. “He’s very calm, cool and collected. He’s a competitor, but he’s never too up or too down. He’s always focused on where he needs to be, and so he’s got a lot of great qualities. I’m really excited for him going into just his sophomore year to be our guy.”

New to the coaching staff are Bobby Kestri, who is working with the receivers; Ben Williams, who is working with the running backs and receivers; and Bethune-Cookman University graduate Joshua Thornhill, who will be assisting with the secondary.

Kerry Kramer returns as the defensive line coach. He has been coaching at Seabreeze for 41 years. After “encouraging” his players to run and “not walk on his grass,” he commented on the first official practice before the season.

“First one of [year] 41,” he said.

Seabreeze will travel to play Matanzas in a kickoff classic on Aug. 14. 

The Sandcrabs lost 18-10 to the Pirates during Klein’s first season and came back to win 21-11 last year at Matanzas. Klein said he respects coach Matt Forrest and his work.

“This week and next week are really about us,” Klein said. “We probably won’t really get into the nuts and bolts of Matanzas until that first week of school, that game week, because we want to get everything in on offense and defense. As we go through the year, we’ll be able to pull those things back out and use them as we go.”

The Sandcrabs open the season Aug. 21 “on the road” at Father Lopez, across the street from their home field at Daytona Stadium.

 

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