The battle of the giants commences!

On Thursday night, West Boca and Cardinal Newman are set to battle in one of the best games up to this point in the season. Both reigning state champions, the Bulls and Crusaders have started undefeated in 2026. It will be a game that matters for the playoffs, but one that will have plenty of bragging rights on the line.

There is plenty to dive into for this big-time matchup! Without further ado, it is time for another New Era Prep game preview!

Players to Watch: West Boca

• Jacorrion McCrary, RB: While Terriel Harmon is the leader of the West Boca backfield, Jacorrion McCrary is a vital piece who can make plays in a variety of ways. As a runner, the senior has the speed and burst to make big plays happen consistently. McCrary rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown against Spanish River last week, while he added 26 yards as a receiver. The running back is a true chess piece for the Bulls, and he will be very important in their showdown with Cardinal Newman.
• Max Reid, LB: On a defense with a large amount of high-level talent, linebacker Max Reid has been one of West Boca’s best players. Through two games, Reid has 11 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and two interceptions. The linebacker has been instinctive, physical, and aggressive on a consistent basis. Reid is a complete glue-guy for the Bulls, and he will be vital in this game against the Crusaders.
• Jamir Johnson, DL: In his first year with West Boca, Jamir Johnson is making his presence felt for the Bulls in the trenches. The defensive lineman, through Week 3, has four tackles for loss, a sack, and has forced a fumble. In his Week 0 game against Carol City, Johnson constantly got into the backfield, blowing up run plays and passing plays. Expect the defensive lineman to be a key presence this week once again.

Players to Watch: Cardinal Newman

• Janarro Sumpter, RB/LB: Early in the 2026 season, Janarro Sumpter has done it all for Cardinal Newman on both sides of the ball. He has already rushed for 316 yards and five touchdowns in three games, headlined by a dominant 190-yard, two-touchdown performance against Cardinal Mooney. Sumpter has also totaled 33 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. Defensively, the 2027 prospect has three tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and two interceptions. No matter what side of the ball he is on, Sumpter is a key piece for Cardinal Newman against West Boca.
• Ty Kirkpatrick, DE/TE: Another two-way standout for the Crusaders, Kirkpatrick is off to a great start in 2026. On offense, the tight end has 108 yards and a touchdown. He rumbled for a 95-yard touchdown in the Crusaders’ win over Cardinal Mooney, which ended up being critical in the game. Defensively, Kirkpatrick has six tackles for loss and two sacks, along with a forced fumble. With the skill and athleticism to be dominant against any opponent, Kirkpatrick will likely be critical against West Boca.
• Pedro Martinez Jr., QB: Against an elite defense like West Boca, it usually takes great quarterback play to win. If Cardinal Newman wants to win, they need a great game from Pedro Martinez Jr.. The transfer from Atlantic has been lights out through three games, throwing for 617 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only one interception. On the ground, Martinez has 96 yards on 11 carries. The quarterback can beat teams with his arm all over the field and is great at extending plays when necessary. It will be fascinating to see how Martinez Jr. fares on Thursday, but he has the talent to thrive against a very tough test on defense.

Keys to Victory: West Boca

• Run the Rock: Whether it is one of West Boca’s great running backs or quarterback Trey Moran, the Bulls are at their best when the run game is rolling. Against Cardinal Newman, West Boca needs to establish the run early. They need to put the Crusaders on the back foot and get them to sell out to stop the run. This is where West Boca will unlock the play-action pass game and RPOs, allowing them to hit the big plays they need to win the game. Offense for West Boca builds upon itself, and nothing gets rolling without the run game.
• Create Pressure on Defense: Just like they did against American Heritage and Spanish River, West Boca needs to make it a priority to create pressure on defense. Against the run, the Bulls need to be aggressive and attack downhill consistently. On passing downs, the edge rushers and interior defensive linemen need to cave pockets and try to force Pedro Martinez Jr. into bad decisions. It will be easier said than done for West Boca, but they have the talent to make good things happen. Now, it is all about execution for the defense.

Keys to Victory: Cardinal Newman

• Strike Fast on Offense: On Thursday night, Cardinal Newman needs to strike fast on offense against West Boca. The Bulls’ ideal game involves plenty of running the ball and limiting the opponent’s possessions. It forces the opponent to press, allowing the West Boca defense to create havoc and turnovers. To flip the script on the Bulls, the Crusaders need to score points early. They need to show off the passing attack and create explosive plays consistently. If they do this, they will make West Boca have to go to the passing game early, allowing the Cardinal Newman defense to cause havoc of their own.
• Make the Passing Offense Beat You: Cardinal Newman needs to take away the West Boca run game early. The Bulls thrive when they get rolling on the ground, as it opens up the passing game and causes defenses to guess. With the talent they have on their overall unit, the Crusaders need to bring the physicality to West Boca. If they can force the Bulls to go to the air early, they have a great chance to win this game.