The preseason is over, as Week 1 is offically on the horizon!

West Boca, after an instant classic against Carol City in Week 0, is set to travel south for a Week 1 showdown with American Heritage (Plantation). Both teams are loaded with high-level talent, and both teams are slated to be key contenders in the 2026 season.

There is plenty to dive into regarding one of the best opening week matchups in Florida, so without further ado, it is time for another game preview! Let’s get started!

Players to Watch: West Boca

• Terriel “Wally” Harmon, RB: While not having the biggest game against Carol City, Terriel “Wally” Harmon was a key reason behind the success that West Boca’s offense had. Running behind his pads consistently, Harmon churned out tough yardage and garnered plenty of attention from the opposing defense. Heading into Week 1, the running back will have a great chance to build upon his Week 0 performance against American Heritage. West Boca will not only need Harmon in the run game, but also in the passing game.
• Trey Moran, QB: The centerpiece of West Boca’s offense in Week 0, Trey Moran showed off his great rushing ability against Carol City. Extending plays consistently, Moran kept drives on schedule and ensured West Boca’s offense moved down the field. He also made some great throws in this game, showing an ability to hit his playmakers under pressure and down the field. American Heritage presents a tough task in every sense of the word, but if he can build upon his Week 0 game, the Bulls’ offense should be in a very good spot.
• Larry Morgan, CB: I am choosing to highlight Morgan in this spot, but this could apply to any player in West Boca’s secondary. Loia Valade has departed, reclassifying to the 2026 class and choosing to enroll early at Texas A&M. Morgan, a USF commit, did a great job against Carol City’s wideouts in Week 0. Facing a group of weapons that are just as talented on American Heritage, Morgan will need to keep playing at a high level to help West Boca win this game.
• Jamar Thompson, DL: Just like Week 0, West Boca will need to win the battles in the trenches to defeat American Heritage. As a result, Jamar Thompson will be called upon to be a game-wrecker for the Bulls. A Georgia Tech commit, Thompson was a force against the Chiefs against the run consistently. He played with power and quickness, notching multiple tackles for loss as a result. Alongside players like Jamir Johnson and Javion Herrington, Thompson was a key reason West Boca was in a position to win their Week 0 game. As the calendar shifts to Week 1, more high-level play from the defensive tackle will be necessary for the Bulls to have a chance to win the game.

Players to Watch: American Heritage

• Neimann Lawrence, QB: One of the best quarterbacks in Florida, Neimann Lawrence will be looking to start his 2026 campaign on a fast note against West Boca. Lawrence has a top-notch arm, great accuracy, and a great feel for how to play the position when in the pocket. In a new offense this spring, the quarterback showed a high level of comfort within it and has seemingly built good rapport with a good chunk of his weapons. It will not be an easy task to defeat West Boca, especially when it comes to the defense that Lawrence will be facing. But with the offensive surroundings he has, plus his overall talent as a player, the quarterback is in a very good spot for Week 1.
• Amare Nugent, CB: A Florida commit, Nugent will be massive for American Heritage’s chances on Friday night. The cornerback has the speed, coverage skills, and overall athleticism to make an impact in every aspect of the game. He can fly downhill against the run, erase wideouts, and force turnovers in multiple different ways. Nugent is not the only great defensive back on this team, but he is arguably the crown jewel of the group. West Boca needs to account for the Florida commit consistently, or things could get tricky for them quickly.
• Jeffrey O’Neal, WR: A 2029 player, O’Neal is a player who is a major breakout candidate this season. The wideout possesses the size and speed to make big plays happen on a consistent basis. His route running is very refined, and his catch radius is a huge positive, especially when in the red zone. O’Neal, when not on offense, can impact the game on defense in the secondary. In 2025, the 2029 prospect had nine pass breakups and three interceptions. American Heritage can use O’Neal in a variety of ways, and he could be an X-Factor immediately in Friday’s game.
• Nico Ramos, OL: Facing a destructive West Boca offensive line, Nico Ramos will be a major factor in the level of success that American Heritage has in this game. A Syracuse commit, Ramos has massive size and great movement skills in the trenches. He can mirror pass rushers and erase them once he gets his hands on them. I loved what I saw from Ramos in the run game as well during the spring, and I think he could have another great season in that regard in 2026. Ramos, a player with plenty of pedigree of his own, will see his first test of the new season come in the form of a defensive line unit with some of the best overall pedigree in the area. How he fares will help set the tone for this game and this season for the Patriots.

Keys to Victory: West Boca

• Win the Battles in the Trenches: At their best, West Boca is a gritty and grind-it-out football team. They want to punch opposing teams in the mouth and bend the game to their will on both sides of the ball. To do that against a very talented American Heritage roster, the Bulls have to win in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they need to improve from Week 0 and create bigger gaps for the rushing attack. Defensively, they have to get after Neimann Lawrence and force the Patriots to be uncomfortable on their own home turf. It will be a battle, but West Boca is more than equipped for the fight.
• Find the Explosive Plays: Another key component for West Boca is explosive plays, and they will need them to win on Friday night. The Bulls need to find a way to spring their running backs into space, allowing their speed and athleticism to truly be on display. They need to take advantage of stacked boxes to hit big throws, just as they did to Billy Clancy III and Lorontae Davis last week. West Boca does not need to change its play style, but to seal this victory, they have to hit some big plays.

Keys to Victory: American Heritage

• Make West Boca Leave the Comfort Zone on Offense: To win this game, American Heritage has to take West Boca out of its comfort zone on offense. They need to emphasize stopping the run and put pressure on Trey Moran on a consistent basis. West Boca will come into this game wanting to establish their ground attack, using their success in that regard to hit big passing plays to flip the game in their favor. As a result, American Heritage needs to be tough in the trenches and force the Bulls into explicit passing situations, allowing their secondary and pass rush to thrive. They need players like Kaden Langford and Amare Nugent, among others, to have very big games in this regard. If they can execute at a high level on defense, the Patriots will be in a great spot.
• Get the Offensive Talent Rolling: American Heritage, in their first game of the 2026 season, needs to get its offensive talent rolling early and often against West Boca. Whether it is Neimann Lawrence at quarterback, Jeffrey O’Neal or Michael Stringer at wideout, or Trae Proctor at tight end, the Patriots have some of the best offensive talent in the area this year. They also have a rock-solid offensive line, headlined by Nico Ramos, and a great running back in Jonathan Bueno Jr., a 2027 prospect. American Heritage, the home team in this game, needs to dictate the terms of engagement and put West Boca on the back foot. If the Patriots execute on offense, they have a chance to do just that on Friday.