The 2026 Florida high school football season is here!
Week 0 is set to kick off this week, offically beginning the journey of the vast majority of teams across the country. Plenty of teams will be looking to make improvements from their 2025 campaign, while main contenders in the state will aim to position themselves for the first “Open Division” playoffs.
Among the wide array of teams in the state, Spanish River and Monarch are firmly in the intriguing category for 2026. Both teams possess plenty of talent and have players who could break out. And outside of Week 0, both teams are set to face some of the better competition in the area this season.
Game time is almost here, so without further ado, it is time to preview Week 0’s clash between the Sharks and the Knights!
Quotes from Spanish River HC Nick LaSala
On players who have emerged as key players during training camp: “Some of the young guys are doing a really good job of owning some roles, competing, and making sure they are on the field on both sides of the ball. Sam Desir stepped up and learned a couple of spots on offense at receiver. Tyrell Gammage is another young guy that came in. Dylan Hall at tight end is going to be a really solid player for us. He’s the best I have seen him since I got here….Those are some guys in the pass game. On defense, we have some young guys in the secondary. We have guys that can play ball together for two and three years that I am excited to see.”
On wideouts Jayden Elder and Derek Goulbourne: “Those guys have evolved as leaders…before, they would get upset at certain things going on if they were not getting the ball. It is like any other receiver at every level. But I have seen both of them fall into leadership roles. (Jayden) Elder has taken on the vocal leader role, while Derek (Goulbourne) leads by example by being very level-headed. Those guys know the offense and what we are doing. It makes my life a lot easier having those two pieces… they do a good job helping me in teaching the offense. They are two great players to have.”
On what he wants to see from his team in Week 0: “Number one, I want to see how physical we are. The team that can control the line of scrimmage is going to have a chance to win a football game, so I want to see exactly where we are against a playoff team in Monarch. I think our guys will respond, but I am looking forward to seeing it on both sides. The second thing is the fundamentals on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense. I want to see if our guys are bought in. Are they running to the football, and arriving with bad intentions? Can we line up urgently, play the next play, and take the ball away? Number three, can we do the simple things? Can we execute and play complementary football? Those are the three things I am looking forward to seeing.”
Players to Watch
Spanish River
- Jayden Elder: One of the more dynamic wideouts in the area, Jayden Elder will look to start his 2026 season on a fast note. The Spanish River standout is a key piece of his offense and will be a player the Sharks try to get involved early and often. He has the speed to threaten any form of coverage, the route running to create separation, and the YAC ability to make defenses pay in space. Expect plenty of designed touches and passing concepts designed to target Elder on Thursday. If he finds success in Week 0, Spanish River will have a great chance to win this game.
- Derrick Goulbourne: An Army commit, Goulbourne is one of the most underrated wideouts in Florida and the overall Palm Beach area. The senior plays with great strength after the catch, creating good plays on a consistent basis for his team. Goulbourne’s route running is very smooth as well; no matter what is asked of him, the wideout finds a way to create passing lanes for his quarterback. If Elder is the player who can win deep and create big plays as a ball carrier, Goulbourne is the tactician who can always get open and make plays for himself. He is going to be vital for Spanish River’s success in 2026.
- Zachary Stelus: A force in the middle of the Spanish River defense, Zachary Stelus could wreak some havoc to start his 2026 season. The 2028 prospect is upper-tier against the run, holding blocks and shooting into the backfield to make plays on a consistent basis. As a pass rusher, Stelus shows an impressive level of hand usage and pass rush moves. He can use power to win, or he can race past blockers with speed and burst. With another offseason of refinement and growth, I expect Stelus to be one of the best trench players in the area this season.
Monarch
- Sanjae Fisher: A Charlotte commit, Sanjae Fisher is an underrated wideout for Monarch who is in store for a big 2026 season. A bigger-framed player, Fisher can soar above defenders to make impressive contested catches. His route running is very smooth, his speed is effective, and his after-the-catch ability fits perfectly in the Monarch offense. Facing a young Spanish River secondary, Fisher has a chance to have a good game in Week 0.
- Gabriele Scarsini: A 2028 prospect for Monarch, Scarsini has the talent to break out in a big way this year. As an edge rusher, Scarsini can win with power or use his speed to make big plays for the defense. At linebacker, the standout for Monarch has good coverage ability and fills lanes in the run game very well. I was very impressed with what Scarasini showed in his spring game, and I think he can translate that success to the regular season. How he handles his Week 0 matchup with Spanish River will be very interesting to watch.
- Bryan Bynes: I could put multiple other players in this slot for Monarch, all of whom would be very well deserving. But in this case, I want to highlight another wideout in Bryan Bynes. Bynes, a 2027 prospect, was a force in the spring and summer for the Knights. He displays strong hands, upper-level route running, and very good speed at the position. Bynes simply makes plays whenever he is targeted, and I expect him to be a key piece of the Monarch offense in 2026. I am excited to see him begin his season Thursday night.
Keys to Victory
Spanish River
- Let the Playmakers Cook: Even with some departures, Spanish River has the firepower on offense to be competitive. Against Monarch, the Sharks need to lean on the likes of Jayden Elder and Derrick Goulbourne, especially considering the firepower their opposition has on offense. They also have some underrated pieces at running back, some of whom could begin their breakout campaigns in Week 0. If the Sharks use their playmakers as the offensive engine, they should be in a great spot on Thursday.
- Win the LOS on Defense: Monarch’s talent on offense is well-known heading into this game. To counter that strength, Spanish River needs to win the line of scrimmage on defense. Zachary Stelus will be vital to this on Thursday, regardless of whether it is in the run game or passing game. Alongside him, the Sharks will need their other defensive linemen and linebackers to be locked in at a high level; whether it is making the right reads or playing fast, the entirety of the defensive trenches/box needs to play as one unit. If they succeed at this, Spanish River will be able to have a chance to put Monarch on the back foot.
Monarch
- Utilize the Offense’s Athleticism: Across the entirety of their offense, Monarch has impressive athleticism at its skill positions. And against Spanish River, the Knights need to use that athleticism to their advantage. Monarch should try to get the likes of Sanaje Fisher, Bryan Bynes, and more in space on designed touches. They should take shots down the field to their wideouts on a consistent basis, especially if Spanish River attempts to stack the box. The Sharks have plenty of talent on defense, but they are unproven at a few key spots. If Monarch can take advantage of this, they will put themselves in a great spot to win the game
- Win the Overall Trenches: While having the skill position talent to win the game, the trenches have the chance to be a big question for Monarch against Spanish River. As a result, the Knights need to put an emphasis on winning the battles in the trenches on Thursday night. Offensively, Monarch’s offensive line needs to clear space for the playmakers and attempt to create positive runs on the ground. They need to give the quarterback enough time to not only navigate the pocket, but deliver throws down the field. Defensively, Monarch needs to push the pocket and push the quarterback off his spot. How the Knights fare in this regard will be vital for this game, and in all honesty, will likely determine the outcome of this game.
