What started out as a small eight team league eight years ago has become far more than anyone could ever imagine.
A group of small Christian schools felt like they couldn’t compete against the schools they were paired with in their district and in 2008 created the Sunshine State Athletic League.
The original SSAC eight members were Mount Dora Bible, Ocala St John Lutheran, Leesburg First Academy, Foundation Academy, Hernando Christian, Bishop McLaughlin, St. Pete Canterbury and Carrollwood Day.
Every year since, the league has expanded and continues to expand, announcing the addition of Out of Door Academy, Bradenton Christian, Bishop Snyder, Shorecrest Prep and Fort Myers Canterbury.
The addition of the five teams increases the state’s biggest conference to 28 teams for the 2016 season as well as new divisions and a new developmental league too.
According to SSAC officials, the conference will be divided up into two separate leagues: the Coastal and Coral, within those leagues are three separate divisions: Central Florida, Beach, Atlantic in the Coastal League and North Florida, Orange and Bay in the Coral League.
In the Central Florida Division will be Windermere Prep, Legacy Charter, Central Florida Christian, Orangewood Christian and Lake Mary Prep.
In the Beach Division will be the Master’s Academy, Merritt Island Christian, International Community, Faith Christian and Orlando Christian Prep. In the Atlantic Division will be Berean Christian, Boca Christian, Jupiter Christian and St. Edwards.
In the North Florida Division will be Christ Church, Bishop Snyder, Leesburg First Academy, Mount Dora Christian and Ocala Christian.
The Orange Division will comprise of Bishop McLaughlin,, Santa Fe Catholic, Seven Rivers and Zephyrhills Christian while the Bay Division will consist of Bradenton Christian, Keswick, Out of Door, Shorecrest and St. Stephens.
The top team in each division along with two wild cards will advance to the playoffs for the chance to win the Florida Bowl trophy.
For schools like Christs Church and newcomer Bishop Snyder, who are both ineligible to win state titles being independents, a chance to win a more realistic division title and/or a conference title.
| Year | School | Champs | Runner-Up |
| 2008 | Hernando Christian (10-0, 3-0) | Hernando Christian 22 | Mount Dora Bible 6 |
| 2009 | Canterbury School of (St Pete) (9-1, 4-0) | Canterbury 48 | St John Lutheran 7 |
| 2010 | St Edwards School (11-1, 6-0) | St Edwards 47 | St John Lutheran 6 |
| 2011 | Landmark Christian (11-2, 4-0) | Landmark Christian 40 | Seven Rivers Christian 0 |
| 2012 | The Master’s Academy (7-3, 5-1) | The Master’s Academy 35 | Seffner Christian 17 |
| 2013 | First Academy-Leesburg (8-2, 5-1) | First Academy 28 | Orlando Christian Prep 20 |
| 2014 | Windermere Prep (11-0, 5-0) | Windermere 48 | Orlando Christian Prep 19 |
| 2015 | Santa Fe Catholic (11-0, 7-0) | Santa Fe 33 | Saint Stephen’s 0 |
ITG Web Content
SSAC On The Move Again
Written by Corey Davis
Photo by SSAC Conference Website
