Jupiter and Palm Beach Central, two of the best teams in the Palm Beach area, are set to battle on Friday night.

The Warriors and Broncos, both 6-1 on the year, have some of the better players in the area on their respective rosters. They have been tested against tough opponents and have shown the ability to win in a variety of different ways. Most importantly, the game has some true stakes on the line, as the winner will be crowned the champion of Florida’s 6A District 13.

There is plenty to discuss ahead of Friday night’s big matchup, so without further ado, it is time to dive into the game preview!

Players to Watch

• Nick Bothe, ATH, Jupiter: Nick Bothe has been everything, and more, for a 6-1 Jupiter team on the verge of a district title. On offense, Bothe has 397 rushing yards, 93 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns. Defensively, the senior has 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Possessing the speed, skill, and versatility to make an impact in every aspect of the game, Bothe will be crucial in the Warriors’ game against the Broncos.
• Drew Larsen, WR, Jupiter: One of Jupiter’s key offensive weapons in 2026, Larsen leads the team with 222 yards and six touchdowns. The wideout has shown impressive contested catch ability and explosiveness after the catch, along with the ability to separate down the field. I expect him to be heavily involved in Jupiter’s game plan against the Broncos.
• Ace Bogedain, LB, Jupiter: A force in the middle of Jupiter’s defense, Bogedain has notched eight tackles for loss, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, and six sacks this season. The linebacker plays with speed and power, while also showing impressive instincts on a play-to-play basis. Against an offense with threats on the ground and through the air, Bogedain will be vital for the Warriors’ success on Friday night.
• Logan Lindsey Hartwig, WR, Palm Beach Central: A breakout star for Palm Beach Central, Logan Lindsey Hartwig is arguably the centerpiece of the team’s offense. Through seven games, the wideout has 408 yards and four touchdowns, both of which lead the team. He has also been utilized as a rusher, notching two rushing touchdowns for the Broncos this season. Lindsey Hartwig has impressive route running and speed and is lethal as a ball carrier in space. If Jupiter does not slow him down, the Broncos will be in a great position to win the game.
• Joe Sykes, LB, Palm Beach Central: One of the more underrated defensive players in the area, Joe Sykes is reminding people how good of a player he is in 2026. The linebacker, according to MaxPreps, has 60 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Possessing high-level instincts at the position, Sykes has shown impressive closing speed and hit power this season. He is flying all over the field to make plays, is filling gaps at a high level, and is making great plays in the passing game. He is set to be a major key player for the Broncos against Jupiter on Friday.
• Tyler Alexander, DL, Palm Beach Central: A Texas commit, Tyler Alexander has been a force in the middle of the Palm Beach Central defense in 2026. Alexander has been credited with 37 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, six sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, an interception, and a blocked field goal. The defensive lineman possesses upper-level strength and has shown plenty of burst on the interior of the trenches. Alexander has also shown the ability to use his hands at a high level consistently, which has led to him finding more success as a pass rusher. Alongside other key contributors on the defensive line, Alexander has the ability to swing the game in favor of the Broncos on Friday night.

Keys to Victory: Palm Beach Central

• Control the Trenches: Whether it is on the offensive or defensive sides of the ball, one could argue that Palm Beach Central possesses the advantage in the trenches on paper. But when game time arrives, the Broncos need to execute at a high level and control the trenches against Jupiter. Offensively, the team needs to open lanes in the run game and hold up as pass blockers to let their playmakers create explosives. Defensively, the Broncos must stuff the run and cause pressure on key passing downs, especially on 3rd downs. Palm Beach Central has all of the talent to thrive in these areas, but their execution level will dictate their success on Friday.
• Find Footing on Offense Early: To win against Jupiter, the Broncos need to find their footing on offense. Whether it is Brandon Pendergrass II or Jamarlo Rawls, the run game needs to keep the offense ahead of the sticks. The offense needs to get Isaiah Hamilton comfortable early in the game as passer, regardless of whether it comes through the quick game or deeper passes down the field. Jupiter’s offense not only has the ability to put up plenty of points, but they are a team that will want to make their opponent play their style of football. To avoid that and give themselves the best chance to win, the Broncos need their offense to start fast on Friday.

Keys to Victory: Jupiter

• Hit the Explosive Plays: While offensive consistency will be important against Palm Beach Central, finding and hitting explosive plays is just as crucial for Jupiter. The Warriors will need Nick Bothe at his best, as he has the ability to rip off chunk plays against the best of opponents. Jupiter’s wideout trio of Brendan Hollinger, Drew Larsen, and Thomas Carlstrom will be important in this regard as well; they will need to separate down the field and find yards after the catch. Jupiter’s success, or lack thereof, in finding big plays will be crucial in deciding the outcome of this game.
• Put the Pressure on the Broncos’ Offense: Palm Beach Central, for all of its offensive success in 2026, has struggled with turnovers at times. These have mainly come through the air, as the Broncos have thrown four interceptions. Jupiter, as a result, needs to look to put consistent pressure on the Broncos in Friday’s game. This can stem from the offense building a lead early in the game, forcing Palm Beach Central to enter into more of a pass-first offense. It can also directly come from the defense consistently stopping the run, causing pressure on third down, and taking away easy completions in coverage. Is it much easier said than done? Of course. Jupiter will need to be locked in from the first snap of this game, and if they can start fast, they have the ability to execute this type of gameplan ot perfection.