PALM BEACH COUNTY – The 2022-23 school year has officially come to a close.
This past year was certainly one to remember for high school football in our area. During this past season, we had multiple athletes commit to continuing their football careers at elite Power 5 universities.
In addition, Cardinal Newman went undefeated in the regular season (10-0), and Palm Beach Central was the first team since Pahokee (2019) to make the FHSAA state semifinal round.
With all of that reflection aside, I believe that it is time to look forward to the upcoming 2023-24 season, so I can give my honest predictions of the Top 10 teams going into next year.
PLEASE NOTE: This will probably not age well. Do not flame me on social media
1. Cardinal Newman
Last year, Cardinal Newman steamrolled their opponents, going 10-0 in the regular season. Despite a 2023 graduating class of over 20 seniors, this team still has some serious firepower.
Newman is returning four-star ATH Nae’Shaun Montgomery (’25), four-star ATH Josh Philostin (’24), LB Max Redmon (’25) and three-star QB Luke Warnock (’24).
Luke Warnock is poised to be the top quarterback in Palm Beach County this season. His release on the ball when he throws is truly beautiful to watch. He has the perfect strength and accuracy coaches want in their quarterback. With two of his top targets returning, you can expect Warnock and the Crusaders offense to light up opposing defenses in 2023.
Nae’Shaun Montgomery is rated as a top 15 receiver in the country for the Class of 2025. Montgomery’s ability to pair his 6’3″ frame and quick routes makes him a defensive back’s nightmare.
Josh Philostin is an absolutely versatile defensive back. Despite being 5’11”, he is a jump ball specialist that’s able to win 1-on-1’s against larger receivers.
Another reason for Cardinal Newman’s success is because they have arguably the best head coach in Palm Beach County.
Jack Daniels always holds his players accountable for their actions and demands their very best at all times. He truly has created a culture of excellence at Newman, and his team is bought in on it. Last season, we all witnessed that the hard work works.
With this all-star squad, and top tier coaching, Cardinal Newman should not skip a beat in 2023, where this collective will continue their dominance throughout the county for the second season in a row.
2. The Benjamin School
After a 5-4 regular season in 2022, it may come as a surprise to many to have Benjamin ranked this high. When you realize that the Buccaneers also lost senior ATH’s Micah Mays and Darrell Sweeting, who have been the faces of this team for years, you may question my pick even more. However, I believe Benjamin got better this offseason.
The Bucs are returning four-star University of Florida commit RB Chauncey Bowens (’24), three-star ATH Jacob Cosby-Mosley (’24), four-star ATH Ricky Knight III (’24), three-star OL Chase Malamala (’24), and four-star DE/TE Amaree Williams (’25). Recently, the Bucs got their quarterback of the future, Jayden Vega (’25), who announced his intention to transfer from Martin County.
I believe that Vega’s transfer will help bring this Benjamin offense to the next level in 2023. The Buccaneers will have the ability to pair Vega’s marksman-like accuracy and Bowens’ lethal run game together to concoct the scariest offense in Palm Beach County.
Williams is one of the best defensive ends in the country in the Class of 2025. His 6-foot-5, 210-pound size, plus his quick first step off the snap, makes him a force to be reckoned with. In Week 11 against King’s Academy, Williams dominated the Lions by recording 9 tackles (5 TFL) and 4 sacks.
The Benjamin School did not have a spring game due to the FHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championships. The Bucs won their second consecutive men’s team state title.
3. Atlantic
Early in the 2022-23 offseason, many people in the county wrote off Atlantic. Well, I have some breaking news for you: Atlantic is going to blow away your expectations.
Atlantic is returning three-star FSU commit LB Jayden Parrish (’24), QB Lincoln Graf (’25), RB Da’Marion Alberic (’24), ATH Solomon Edwards (’25), WR O’Neil Shearer (’24) and WR Mark Hanniford (’26).
During the 2023 Palm Beach Gardens Spring Jamboree, Atlantic silenced all of its critics. The Eagles defeated Treasure Coast (27-14) and manhandled Boyd Anderson (33-0).
REMINDER: Only a half was played in each game.
Graf was completing beautiful passes to Shearer and Hanniford, while also showing off his athleticism outside the pocket.
On the defensive side of the ball, just remember there is a reason we call Parrish “Monsta”. An absolute force to be reckoned with, he has elite field vision and is a hard hitting, ball-hawk linebacker.
Atlantic is a team that is flying under the radar right now. However, I believe this group is going to make a lot of noise this upcoming season.
4. Palm Beach Central
Palm Beach Central had a story-book season in 2022. The Broncos went 9-1 in the regular season, and then dominated their competition in the playoffs, where they reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history (Apopka won, 27-24).
After graduating key players like QB Ahmad Haston, DB Justin Bostic, WR’s Javorian Wimberly and Luby Maurice Jr., and OL Chris Cirillo, it’s a new era for Palm Beach Central football.
Taking the reigns for the future of this Broncos team will be ATH Nedrick Boldin (’25), four-star ATH Tony Williams (’25), ATH Mikey Gayle (’24), ATH Leon Williams (’24), and QB Caleb Butler (’26). Despite being such a young core, this group knows how to play in big games.
During the spring game against Glades Central (21-0 half), the connection between Butler and Boldin showed early. Butler’s first pass as the starter for PBC was a screen pass to Boldin, which he extended to become an 80-yard touchdown. Despite being a rising sophomore, Butler has elite accuracy, field vision and decision making. He is able to make the gutsy throw, and perfectly place the ball in a window only his receiver can grab.
On the ground, Williams dominated the Raider defense, going for 12 carries, 90 yards and a touchdown. One of his rushes was a big 45-yard rush, where he got to show off his second gear and dust the Glades Central defense.
Defensively, Tony Williams is a lockdown defensive back that’s able to make plays all over the field. During the spring game, Tony Williams and Mikey Gayle were a serious problem for Glades Central’s receivers.
Palm Beach Central’s biggest strength going into this season is their team’s versatility. Almost every player on this team has the ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball at a high level. Coach Kevin Thompson and his staff have more than prepared this young Broncos team for 2023.
5. Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens is the most underrated team in my top five.
After graduating a large senior class last year, there were a lot of questions leading into the 2023-24 season. However, I believe Gardens is going to shock the county and show everyone how dangerous they really are.
Palm Beach Gardens is returning DB Caleb Chamberlin (’24), three-star FAU commit DB Michael Wright (’24), LB Niko Platt (’24), ATH Keyon Stephens (’24) and ATH Aiden Malcom (’24). The Gators’ heavy senior class is going to help set the standard that they will leave on this program.
Palm Beach Gardens’ biggest strength is their defensive backfield. The safety duo of Wright and Chamberlin is easily the best in Palm Beach County. During the Gardens spring jamboree, Wright and Chamberlin were constantly making highlights. Both players were flying across the field laying big hit after big hit, and Chamberlin had an 85-yard interception return.
6. Somerset Canyons
Somerset Canyons is going to be this year’s wild card team.
The Cougars are returning two of the best players in the country, four-star ATH Waden Charles (’25) and ATH Denairius Gray (’26).
A 6-foot-3 jump ball specialist, Charles has the perfect traits for a receiver because he is able to match his size with a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Another elite trait in his game is his crisp route running. Meanwhile, Gray is a 6-foot-2 lockdown corner. Like Charles, Gray is able to use his size and speed and long arms to his advantage, locking up any receiver that lines up across from him.
The reason that I said that Canyons will be the 2023 wild card team is because of the Power 5 Bros. During the spring game against Coral Gables, they were the Cougars’ only source of offensive production. Because of this, I find it hard to truly get a read on this team, so I think 6 is a good spot for right now.
7. Santaluces
Last year, Santaluces was Palm Beach County’s success story. After going 1-8 in 2021 to 8-3 in 2022, new head coach Hector Clavijo and former quarterback Will Prichard brought in a whole new culture for the Chiefs.
Despite graduating a heavy senior class, Santaluces is still returning stars like ATH Anatay Smith (’25) DB Amir Gibson (’24) and RB Derrick Williams (’24). Smith is one of the best YAC receivers in Palm Beach County. He is able to extend quick screen passes into huge gains. Williams is the shiftiest running back I’ve seen in person. His fast twitch and elite ball carrier vision makes him one of the top running backs going into 2023.
I love watching Santaluces play. They are one of the best coached teams in the county, and they’re certainly the most energetic team on game days. The reason I have the Chiefs this low is due to their wide-open quarterback battle, and the uncertainty they have around the position coming out of spring.
8. Boca Raton High
I bet you didn’t expect to see Boca Raton here, but I’m calling it now: Boca is going to be a contender in 2023.
As you can tell, I’m very high on Boca Raton this upcoming season. My biggest reason for that is quarterback Chance Routson. Despite being a rising sophomore, Routson is going to be legit next season. He is able to pick apart an opposing defense from inside the pocket, while also being able to scramble and use his legs when he needs to.
Another reason of why I believe Boca is going to surprise everyone is due to new head coach Alex Savakinas. The 2023-24 season will be Savakinas’ inaugural head coaching season. Despite only having the keys to the castle for a short amount of time, you can clearly tell that everyone on that team is bought in on him and his culture.
After their 42-6 spring victory over Wellington High, the entire Boca team dog-piled their coach to celebrate his first career win.
9. Pahokee
There is a lot of uncertainty around the Pahokee Blue Devils leading into 2023.
After graduating DE Deejay Holmes and RB Jashon Benjamin, along with the departure of former Head Coach Emmanuel Hendrix and 4.5-star Florida commit QB Austin Simmons for Moore Haven, the new era of Pahokee football starts now.
One of the brightest spots on this team is four-star ATH Hardley Gilmore (’25). This will be Gilmore’s second season with the Blue Devils. He is rated as a top 20 receiver in the Class of 2025. His ability to always stay open and shed defenders is one of the best in the country. After achieving a 1,000-yard season in 2022, Gilmore plans to continue his dominance in the Muck.
10. St. Andrews
St. Andrews is going to be one of the sneakiest teams in Palm Beach County next season. I believe that the Scots are going to do very well inside Palm Beach County in 2023.
A big part of the Scots’ future success will be because of ATH Teddy Hoffman (’25). During St. Andrews’ spring game against Boca Christian, Hoffman exploded for well over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He just knows how to get open. His quick release off the line and sticky fingers make him a premier target for his new quarterback Jack Williams.
Honorable Mentions: The King’s Academy, Boynton Beach, Park Vista, Spanish River, West Boca
