GREENACRES – The first official start for Jahtavious Gayle could not have gone much better in the grand scheme of things.

In Week 1, the John I. Leonard junior quarterback confidently led his team to an easy 35-7 win over Spanish River. He did so by using both his arm and legs, while utilizing his teammates in action.

Gayle finished the game 16-for-27 with 313 yards and three touchdowns passes. He added 30 rushing yards in the Lancers 28-point win over the Sharks.

“I think it was electric,” Gayle said of his performance, which catapulted him into being our MVP of Week 1.

“I was very accurate on throws and I was able to extend plays with my legs,” Gayle continued. “I think I was able to keep the defense on their heels with the deep shots we took and what we were successful with.”

Gayle had a reliable target in fellow junior Charvison Joseph, who finished with 113 rushing yards and two total touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving).

“He wouldn’t go down on first contact and he was my safety net on pass plays,” Gayle said.

The John I. Leonard season-opening win could serve as a precursor of what May come as the fall rolls along.

For Week 2, John I. Leonard (1-0) will be at home against Olympic Heights (0-0). The game will be held tonight (Sept. 2) at 6:30 p.m.

“It’s giving us confidence and allowing us to see what we we’re capable of even though we had a rocky game,” Gayle said. “So we’re excited to keep the momentum going and hopefully we can do better Thursday night against Olympic Heights.”

OTHER WEEK 1 SUPERLATIVES

BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER OF WEEK 1: Park Vista senior athlete Naazir Aiken

COACH OF WEEK 1: Palm Beach Gardens head coach Tyrone Higgins

TEAM OF WEEK 1: Cardinal Newman

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES: WEEK 2

Forest Hill (0-1) vs. No. 9 Seminole Ridge (1-0) – 6:30 p.m. kickoff

Boynton Beach (0-1) vs. Santaluces (0-1) – 6:30 p.m kickoff

Wellington (0-1) at Miami Southridge (0-0) in Miami – 7 p.m. kickoff