West Boca vs. St. John’s College Game Preview

Brandyn Pokrass

September 18, 2026
3:01 am

After a major victory over Cardinal Newman, West Boca welcomes a major test to the Sunshine State for their fourth game of the 2026 season.

St. John’s College, also 3-0 on the season, will square off against the Bulls on Friday night in a battle of two elite football teams. Both teams have been battle-tested in 2026, and both teams have won games decisively. The Bulls and Cadets have plenty of future college talent as well, whether on the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

In short, this matchup is shaping up to be one of the more fun games not only of the week, but of the 2026 season up to this point. As always, I have you covered with what you need to know for this game. Without further ado, it is time for a New Era Prep game preview, this time for the showdown between West Boca and St. John’s College!

Players to Watch: West Boca

Jacorrion McCrary, RB: A key member of West Boca’s running back rotation, Jacorrion McCrary will likely be counted on to contribute against the St. John’s Cadets. Facing Cardinal Newman last week, the running back had 39 yards on the ground and 57 yards as a receiver. McCrary looks explosive, shifty, and dynamic consistently. He will have a big test this week, but with another productive game against the Cadets, the stock will continue to rise for the West Boca standout.
Makarion Owens, DE: One of the better defensive linemen in 2026 for the Bulls, Makarion Owens is a player that the West Boca defense will need once again this week. The defensive end has gotten after the quarterback, clogged passing lanes, and made multiple tackles against the run. St. John’s provides a major test, as they have a bevy of skill talent and offensive line talent. How Owens and his teammates fare will dictate this game’s outcome for the Bulls.
Jamar Thompson, DL: Alongside Owens, West Boca needs a major game from defensive lineman Jamar Thompson. The Georgia Tech commit was double-teamed constantly against Cardinal Newman, but he still had a sack and two total tackles. Thompson erases run plays and shows plenty of burst as a pass rusher. Unlike many teams West Boca has faced, St. John’s has a true weapon on the offensive line to deal with Thompson in 2028 prospect William Crawford. How Thompson handles this test will swing this game in either direction.

Players to Watch: St. John’s

DJ Butler, LB: Most high school teams do not have four-star linebackers that can erase plays at multiple levels of the field. St. John’s has one of those players in DJ Butler. In his latest game for the Cadets, Butler had 10 tackles, four TFLs, two PBUs, and one QB hurry. Butler has impressive speed, great play strength, and the instincts to shut down plays all over the field. Against a West Boca team that wants to run the ball and test a defense’s discipline, the standout linebacker is a great asset for the Cadets to deploy in this game.
Jordin Williams, WR: Against a very tough West Boca defense, Jordin Williams is a potential gamebreaker for the Cadets. Possessing great speed and overall movement skills, the 2028 prospect is a threat to break a touchdown off at any moment. He is also a willing blocker, has good route running, and has the strength to make contested catches. St. John’s needs to find a way to score points early and often against West Boca, and I would imagine that Williams will be a big part of that.
Casime Harris, DE: An early 4-star player for 24/7 Sports, Casime Harris is a walking game-wrecker for the St. John’s Cadets. Against the run, Harris pairs great instincts with impressive speed and power. As a pass rusher, the edge rusher shows impressive speed and a willingness to use the power in his hands, which can be uncommon with players his age. Against a quality opponent in Archbishop Spalding a few weeks ago, Harris posted three sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 11 total tackles. West Boca’s offensive line is in for their biggest test of the 2026 season. If the Bulls cannot handle Harris, the Cadets will be in a great position to win this game.
Da’Jon Talley-Rhodes, RB: One of the best overall prospects in Maryland, Da’Jon Talley-Rhodes has the talent to enter takeover mode on Friday night. An Indiana commit, the running back has impressive speed and burst. Talley-Rhodes has also displayed great vision, an ability to make defenders miss in space, and a willingness to run behind his pads. His early-season tape, along with his 2025 tape, shows the makings of an upper-tier player at running back. If he gets rolling on Friday, Talley-Rhodes could put West Boca in some uncomfortable spots on a consistent basis.

Keys to Victory: West Boca

Win in the Trenches on Defense: As the competition rises this week, the West Boca Bulls still need to continue to dominate the defensive trenches. Whether through the defensive line or the linebackers, the Bulls need to put St. John’s on the back foot and dictate the flow of the game. Outside of Makarion Owens and Jamar Thompson, West Boca needs plenty of other contributors to step up. A true team effort will be needed to secure a victory over the Cadets; if they cannot get that, there is a chance this is a very tough game for the Bulls.
Find the Explosive Plays: For one of the few times this season, the Bulls have a real-deal challenge in the defensive trenches. As a result, West Boca needs to find the explosive plays on offense. In the run game, players like Wally Harmon and Jacorrion McCrary will have to rip off chunk gains. Nomo Davis and Billy Clancy III will be called upon to flip the field through the air. St. John’s has the talent, and potentially the execution, to counteract the Bulls’ usual offensive game plan. How West Boca adjusts and navigates their way to successful offensive drives will be very important to watch in this game.

Keys to Victory: St. John’s

Test West Boca’s Offense In the Trenches: If there is any flaw for West Boca this year, even if minor, it is the offensive line. And while most teams do not have the overall defense to test this potential weakness, St. John’s does. In this game, the Cadets need to consistently challenge the Bulls’ offensive line in the run and the pass. St. John’s has Casime Harris on the edge and Josiah Ampofo on the interior, along with DJ Butler at linebacker. They also have Jalen Wallace and Tyler Butler-Simpson in the secondary. Execution will be paramount for the Cadets, but from a talent perspective, St. John’s has the players to truly test West Boca.
Bring the Battle to West Boca’s Defense Early: West Boca, as a collective unit, wants to play physical football and force the opponent to adhere to their style. As a result, St. John’s needs to use its offense to put pressure on the Bulls early and push them out of their comfort zone. Whether it is Da’Jon Talley-Rhodes at running back or the duo of Jordin Williams and Stefan Rogers at wideout, the Cadets have the weapons to score points at will. They have an offensive line, headlined by William Crawford, that can open lanes in the run game or protect well on passing downs. The play of the quarterback position will be a major factor in this game, as well as the play calling. But if St. John’s can play and execute at a high level, they could be one of the few teams to put West Boca on the back foot early in a game.