For the first time in a few years, the Palm Beach County high school football landscape is in a state of flux. Combined with a new slate of a dozen coaches patrolling the sidelines and a return to the FHSAA state series, the season will be interesting.
All games start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday unless noted.
1. Glades Central
You can’t teach speed, and the Raiders have plenty of it. Glades Central has several players holding offers from Division I schools, led by senior Ja’Kavion Nonar (OL), who has double-digit offers and until recently was committed to Pittsburgh.
Next: at Palm Beach Lakes
2. Atlantic
The Eagles have a new coach in Jamael Stewart and opened with an impressive win over Palm Beach Central in the kickoff classic last week. Expect Atlantic to be among the top teams all season, with a wealth of talent.
Next: at Palm Beach Gardens
3. Cardinal Newman
Veteran coach Jack Daniels returns from a two-year hiatus to coach the Crusaders, who will be led on the ground by sophomore Tovani Mizell (RB/LB) who is the third-rated 2024 running back in the country.
Next: vs. King’s Academy, 7 p.m.
4. Palm Beach Central
The Broncos are calling themselves the COVID comeback kids after being hit hard last season. They had a good showing against Atlantic last week in their kickoff classic contest and should be among the county’s top teams.
Next: at Forest Hill
5. Dwyer
The Panthers are in a new classification this season and are counting on seniors Xavier Scott (ATH) and Caden Ingram (LB).
Next: at Jupiter
6. Boca Raton
Coming off a 6-1 season last year, the Bobcats are loaded with junior quarterback Jacob Cashion and a couple of newcomers in seniors Trey Rainey (RB), who holds an offer from Penn, and Luanu Roschek (OL), who holds an offer from Graceland.
Next: at Boynton Beach
7. Palm Beach Gardens
Gators coach Tyrone Higgins expects to compete for a district title and will rely on a senior defense to do so, led by Naivyan Cargill (WR/TE/OLB/DE), Vincent Dubose (OLB/ILB), Shermar Gibson (OLB/ILB), and Sanders Henry (DE).
Next: vs. Atlantic
8. Jupiter
The Warriors are a team on the rise with the likes of senior QB Billy Bates, and junior (RB/DB) Emonte Brown.
Next: vs. Dwyer
9. Seminole Ridge
The Hawks hope to get off to a quick start if they plan to contend this season in a difficult district.
Next: vs. Santaluces
10. Benjamin
Benjamin enters the season with a young team, with freshmen and sophomores filling many of the starting roles. Wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (junior), quarterback Tyler Aronson (sophomore), running back Chauncey Bowens (sophomore) and wide receiver Hardley Gilmore (freshman) make up a young group of players that could have big impacts. If the youth movement works, the Buccaneers could rocket up the rankings.
Next: at Fort Pierce John Carroll Catholic, 7 p.m.
On the bubble: American Heritage-Delray, Forest Hill, Benjamin, Palm Beach Lakes,Park Vista,King’s Academy.
Gary Curreri is a correspondent for the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
