A Weekend in Review: Florida High School Football Recap

College football may not be here yet, but high school football has already kicked off. Across the state of Florida, high school football teams faced off in high-octane matchups to help set the tone for their 2025 seasons. While not counting against their records, these games help to set the tone for the season and show who could be the best teams in the state.

Florida High School Football Recap

I had a chance to cover two of these games this week. The first was West Boca versus Chaminade, with the second game being the Benjamin School versus Dwyer. Both games had some key standouts, and helped set a foundation to be built upon in future weeks.

West Boca vs. Chaminade-Madonna

The star running backs for both teams were as advertised. Miami (FL) commit Javian Mallory and Texas commit Derrek Cooper had impressive games, serving as the engines for their respective teams.

Both displayed upper-level power, burst, and vision. They consistently threw players off of them and ripped off chunk gains for their respective teams. Mallory had impressive chunk gains, while Cooper displayed some of the best speed from an high school running back on a touchdown that got called back for holding.

Sticking with the offense, a few other players stood out.

Chaminade’s Jasen Lopez was the best wide receiver on the field for most of the game. On almost every play, the Florida State commit showcased awesome route running, burst, and quickness. He looked comfortable as a ball-carrier, a downfield option, and in the screen game. With even more room to grow as a player, it is clear that the Seminoles have a potentially great player on their hands.

Additionally, fellow Chaminade wideout Denairius Gray and West Boca wide receivers Billy Clancy III and Kyle Andrews put together impressive performances.

Gray had one of the best vertical plays of the entire game and showcased smooth route running. Andrews and Clancy III showed off nice route running, shiftiness, and speed. All three could be extremely productive in 2025.

Furthermore, Chaminade’s Tromon Isaac Jr. popped when given a chance to touch the ball. Listed as a four-star recruit in the 2028 class, expect the wideout to continue to produce when he gets more touches this year and improve on the skills he has already shown.

On defense, there were multiple key standouts for both teams.

Linebackers Temorris Campbell and Jaiden Roper were instrumental in Chaminade’s defensive success, both having great nights. Both linebackers had great run-stopping and coverage ability.

In a game where Chaminade deployed a lot of quick game and rushing plays, Demetrius Geathers Jr. and Jaydin Broadnax impressed. Both players show a great ability to defend the run. Geathers made multiple tackles for loss, and Broadnax flying downhill consistently. Both players are also key in West Boca’s ability to shut down passing attacks, which has been on display over their careers already.

As for Chaminade, edge rusher Trevoris Finley had one of the best pass rush reps of the night with an awesome dip move. He’s a player to keep an eye on, he could be in store for a very productive season.

 

In terms of other notes from this game, running back Jayden Lockhart’s showcased good movement ability as an overall player. West Boca’s Delorean Airall also is a player with a lot of potential on defense.

The biggest storyline to follow, though, is the quarterback situation for both schools.

Both West Boca and Chaminade used multiple quarterbacks over the course of the game tonight. And, both teams have options that can be great players.

Chamindae has three quarterbacks with elite potential (including 2029 QB Malik Leonard), while West Boca is deploying two potentially great options. Going forward, though, the important thing to follow is how they are deployed. Regardless, it’s exciting to see how these situations play out for two upper-tier programs.

The Benjamin School vs. Dwyer

Despite losing the matchup Dwyer quarterback Robert Green III was extremely impressive over the duration of the game. He escaped pressure on countless occasions, showed impressive arm strength, with excellent accuracy when on the move. Due to his overall play last night, he is a key player to watch in 2025. Green could be a player who could be a potential steal for a college football program.

For The Benjamin School, the running backs were extremely dynamic.

Nick Skillin showed nice breakaway speed on his touchdown run, while Terrion Ivy-Atkins showed good burst and power throughout the night. 2029 recruit Mason Bennett had a good game, too. His power and burst was impressive for a player that is so young compared to his peers. 

The quarterbacks for Benjamin showed flashes of very dynamic ability, too. Charlie Smith had a perfect pass for a touchdown, while Cohen Roach and Max Johnson showed impressive running ability as young players. With Smith as the starter, the school could use their two younger quarterbacks in dynamic ways.

Dwyer’s running back Sylvio Joseph, defensive back Kayden Feaman, and wide receiver Andrew Fiedor also stood out. Specifically, Joseph showed nice power running, while Feaman was a bullet all around the field for the Panthers’ defense.

In short, these Florida-based high school programs produce some great football players, and these athletes look to be the next ones up.