Boca Ciega
Coach: Kelvin Smarwt, third season
Last season: 4-7
District: Class 2A-6
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Aug. 28 at St. Petersburg; Sept. 11 at Lakewood; Sept. 18 vs. Countryside; Sept. 25 vs. Calvary Christian; Oct. 2 at Groveland South Lake; Oct. 9 at Tampa Catholic; Oct. 16 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic; Oct. 23 at Berkeley Prep; Oct. 30 vs. Northeast
Key players: QB Noah Walstad; RB/WR Zy’Quayvion Williams; WR Gary Mitchell; WR/DB Wayne Tolliver; WR Jamari Ward; ATH Clifford Smith; CB Jeremiecio Robinson; ATH Kenzale Washington; OLB Jayun Jones; LB Makai Tolliver; DE Braden Butler
Pirates ready to take next step
Even after suffering through “growing pains” according to Smarwt, Boca Ciega was two points away from advancing to the Class 3A regional semifinals last season. With a year more experience and minimal graduates, the Pirates are poised for improvement even with an intentionally challenging schedule including the opener against Zephyrhills Christian. “The playoffs are our goal,” said Smarwt. “We get in, kick the door in, and play ball.”
Calvary Christian
Coach: Wes Safford, third season
Last Season: 8-4
District: Class 2A-6
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. North Miami; Aug 28 vs. King; Sept. 4 vs. Victory Christian Academy; Sept. 11 at Clearwater Central Catholic; Sept. 25 at Boca Ciega; Oct. 2 at Northside Christian; Oct. 9 vs. Lakewood; Oct. 16 vs. Berkeley Prep; Oct. 23 at Tampa Catholic; Oct. 30 vs. University Christian
Key players: LB Gavin Holloway; DB Quinn Conrad; OL/DL Emerson Staszewski; LB/FS Tripp Foote; OL/DL Max Staszewski; QB Jaden Quenga; RB Jack Wang; WR Colton Outzen
Replenishing offense key for Warriors
Stepping up to a district with Clearwater Central Catholic, Lakewood, and Berkeley Prep is only one of the challenges the Warriors face coming into the season. The offense lost some key pieces from last season and will have to rebuild on the fly. Rising seniors with varsity experience are joining with 30 rising juniors looking to lift Calvary back into the playoffs.
Clearwater
Coach: Thor Jozwiak, seventh season
Last season: 8-4
District: 4A-10
Schedule: Aug. 21 at East Lake; Aug. 28 vs. Dunedin; Sept. 4 vs. Countryside; Sept. 11 at St. Petersburg; Sept. 18 vs. Largo; Sept. 25 vs. Northeast; Oct. 9 vs. Pinellas Park; Oct. 16 at Hollins; Oct. 23 at Osceola; Oct. 30 at Clearwater Central Catholic.
Key players: QB Tyrone Benjamin; RB Kemariae Bullard; OL Tharon Burke; FS/CB Jayden Burgess; QB Jaysean Glenn; MLB/TE Jayeon Jackson; FB/TE Nathan Klag; OG/DT Logan Mattea; FS/MLB Ryder Mouzon; WR/RB Kevin Williams
Tornadoes rebuild up front after district title
Clearwater went 8-4 and claimed a district title last season, and the skill positions are in good shape to make another run. The Tornadoes have two quarterbacks in Tyrone Benjamin and Jaysean Glenn, each bringing a different skill set to the job, and a proven back in Kemaraie Bullard, who rushed for more than 900 yards.
The bigger question is who blocks for them. Clearwater graduated all five starters on the offensive line. Jozwiak likes what he has coming up, though, drawing from a junior varsity team that went 8-1 last season.
The defense enters the season as the most experienced unit on the roster.
Clearwater Central Catholic
Coach: Chris Harvey, 11th season
Last season: 10-3
District: Class 2A-6
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Palmetto; Aug. 28 vs. Port Charlotte; Sept. 11 vs. Calvary Christian; Sept. 18 at St. Petersburg Catholic; Sept. 25 at Tampa Catholic; Oct. 2 at Cardinal Mooney; Oct. 9 vs. Berkeley Prep; Oct. 16 at Boca Ciega; Oct. 23 at Lakewood; Oct. 30 vs. Clearwater
Key players: QB Khayse Barrett; TE/OLB Larkin Dudley; RB Daveyon Epps; MLB/FB Keilan Jackson; WR/DB Desmond Lee Jr.; WR Malik Newton; LB/FS JJ Schiavello; WR/DB Pharaoh Tillman; RB/MLB Dicarieze Williams; WR/DB Luke Wilson.
Back on track
The Marauders’ streak of three straight title game appearances was snapped last season. This season, CCC is focused on getting back to the final.
It won’t be easy. Class 2A is stacked with powerhouse teams. But the Marauders are equipped to get through a challenging bracket. The passing game has plenty of experience, led by Barrett at quarterback.
On defense, CCC is fast and physical. The schedule will also get the Marauders ready for another deep playoff push.
Countryside
Coach: AJ Sattinger, second season
Last season: 3-7
District: Class 3A-11
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Palm Harbor University; Aug. 28 vs. Hollins; Sept. 4 at Clearwater; Sept. 11 vs. Dunedin; Sept. 18 at Boca Ciega; Sept. 25 vs. Anclote; Oct. 9 at Tarpon Springs; Oct. 16 vs. Gibbs; Oct. 22 at Seminole; Oct. 30 vs. East Lake
Key players: QB Cam Waddington; DE/TE Korontae Moore; RB/SS Dontavius Miley; WR Kai Johnson; LB Zion Poole; DE/TE Gabe Lupo; DB/WR Jeremy Hunter; LB/DE Cale Boles; FS Ja’carri Young
Smells like team spirit
Year two of Sattinger’s team-building program is working well: “They’re buying into the entire process. They’ve all grown together, doing things the right way, and I’m proud we haven’t lost any players (to transfers).” Impact players abound defensively led by Poole and Boles, while the offense looks to build around Waddington. “We’re gritty and we’re taking things one day at a time,” said Sattinger. “We don’t skip steps.”
Dunedin
Coach: LC Coleman, first season
Last season: 4-6
District: Class 3A-11
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Northeast; Aug. 28 at Clearwater; Sept. 4 vs. Pinellas Park; Sept. 11 at Countryside; Sept. 25 vs. Tarpon Springs; Oct. 2 vs. Largo; Oct. 9 vs. Seminole; Oct. 16 vs. Anclote; Oct. 23 at Gibbs; Oct. 30 at Palm Harbor University
Key players: QB Ben Tifer; DB Deondre Miles; OLB/DE Wade Robertson; MLB/WR Ethan Shipley; DL Darrion Pugh; OL Gabe Hatcher; C Dylan Allen; DB Deondre Miles; WR/FS Evan Bell; DE Derrick James; DB Jeffrey Lowe
Consistency key for Falcons
With the brunt of the roster returning from Coleman’s inaugural campaign, Dunedin can start 2026 further along. Now the focus is on enhancing fundamentals and fixing mistakes. The return of Tifer from a broken collarbone in week 4 will help, as will experienced lines on both sides of the ball. Getting a young linebacker group up to speed has become a project of Robertson, who is eyeing a personal double-digit sack total.
East Lake
Coach: Bob Hudson
Last season: 8-3
District: Class 5A-8
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Clearwater; Aug. 28 at Pinellas Park; Sept. 4 at Osceola; Sept. 10 at Gaither; Sept. 18 vs. Tarpon Springs; Sept. 25 vs. Mitchell; Oct. 9 at Largo; Oct. 16 vs. Palm Harbor University; Oct. 23 vs. Sickles; Oct. 30 at Countryside
Key players: TE/DE Tommy Clark; RB Brian Ford; QB Jace Delk; CB/WR Kyle Grimm; LB Adrian Rutledge; S Zaiden Blanch; LB Carter Arellano; OT/NG Nicolay Petrushev
Offensive talent looks to overcome transfers
The Eagles’ defense took with a few starters transferring elsewhere, but a talented returning secondary and linebacking corps can more than make up for the losses. Ford, East Lake’s rushing leader in 2025, comes back as the focal point on offense, helping ease the transition as Delk takes over at quarterback. Having one of the best home-field advantages could make the difference for a squad looking to better its regional semifinal playoff finish.
Gibbs
Coach: Herbans Paul (second season)
Last season: 4-7
District: Class 3A-11
Schedule: Sept. 21 at St. Petersburg Catholic; Aug. 28 at Osceola; Sept 4 vs. East Bay; Sept. 11 at Tarpon Springs; Sept. 18 vs. St. Petersburg; Sept. 25 vs. Seminole; Oct. 9 at Anclote; Oct. 16 at Countryside; Oct. 23 vs. Dunedin; Oct. 30 vs. Dunbar
Key players: QB Jordan Calvin; RB Steven Alexis; WR Cedric Jackson; ATH Joel Delgado; DB Julius Dames
Is this the Gladiators’ year?
With a talented cadre of leaders stepping into their senior season, Gibbs is poised for success this season. “The experience gained last year with the (rising seniors) … that’s huge for us,” Paul said. Calvin, a three-year starter, and Alexis, both coming off 1,113-yard seasons, will look to trigger the offense behind a brand-new offensive line. A physical defensive front combines with smart speedsters that will allow Gibbs to keep opponents off-balance with multiple looks. Surviving the toughest matchup on the schedule, St. Petersburg Catholic in the season opener, will chart the Gladiators’ course.
Hollins
Coach: Jason Stokes, fifth season
Last season: 1-9
District: Class 4A-10
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Tarpon Springs; Aug. 28 at Countryside; Sept. 4 at Seminole; Sept. 11 vs. Northeast; Sept. 18 vs. Palm Harbor University; Sept. 25 vs. Osceola; Oct. 2 at IMG Academy Blue; Oct. 9 at St. Petersburg; Oct. 16 vs. Clearwater; Oct. 23 at Pinellas Park
Key players: RB Elijah Berry; ATH Henry Brown; DB Jermaine Smith; LB Cayden Mills; LB Keyon Milligan; ATH Antonio Rentas; RB Jason Kowalke; DB Miles Pike; RB Marcus Garvey; DE Mateo Itric; C/G Cory Kowalke; DE Dareien Wright
Royals roll with youth movement
Riding a wave of skilled underclassmen, Hollins looks to turn around its recent struggles, winning just five games over the last five seasons. The Royals look for a successful return to district play behind an athletic defense led by Itric who is shooting to break assistant coach Terrence Cato’s school career sack record of 14. Brown and Kowalke hope to help pull together an offense hit hard by graduation.
Indian Rocks Christian
Coach: Leonard Weaver, second season
Last season: 4-7
District: Independent
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Haines City; Aug. 28 at Seffner Christian; Sept. 4 vs. Northeast; Sept. 11 vs. Keswick Christian; Sept. 25 vs. North Florida Christian; Oct. 2 at Mount Dora Christian Academy; Oct. 9 vs. Sarasota Christian; Oct. 16 at Northside Christian; Oct. 23 at Fort Lauderdale Westminster
Key players: LB Logan Cox; DE Anthony Cavallaro; DB Reese Barbaro; CB Noah Mortellite; RB Jackson Rockefellar; QB Lukas Strandberg; RB/LB Armone Mansfield
It’s independence day for the Eagles
After struggling through 2025 in Class 1A, including a pair of humbling losses to powerful Clearwater Central Catholic, IRC decided last January to switch over to a more reasonable Independent schedule this year. Cavallaro, an FSU commit, along with Cox and Barbaro, look to lead a youthful defense while coach Weaver strives to set up Strandberg for offensive success. Selfless on-field leadership that has survived the ups-and-downs of the last few seasons, which can help as the team transitions to independent play to help turn the corner.
Keswick
Coach: David Dare, fourth season
Last season: 7-4
District: Independent
Schedule: Aug. 14 vs. Seven Rivers Christian; Aug. 21 vs. Cambridge Christian; Aug. 28 vs. Bishop McLaughlin; Sept. 4 vs. Ambassadors Christian Academy; Sept. 11 at Indian Rocks Christian; Oct. 2 at Taylor; Oct. 9 vs. Eagles’ View; Oct. 16 vs. Southwest Florida Christian; Oct. 23 at Sarasota Christian.
Key players: QB/WR/FS Grant Cook, LB Josiah Loeffler
Crusaders to get creative with thin roster
Keswick only has 20 players listed on its varsity roster, so expect starters to play on both sides of the ball. The Crusaders do have some players with versatility. Cook is a dual-threat at quarterback and Nordenbrook is a tackling machine on defense.
Lakewood
Coach: Dante Fowler, Sr., second season
Last season: 11-2
District: Class 2A-6
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Miami Northwestern; Aug. 28 at Lake City Columbia; Sept. 11 vs. Boca Ciega; Sept. 18 at Northeast; Sept. 25 at Berkeley Prep; Oct. 2 vs. St. Petersburg; Oct. 9 at Calvary Christian; Oct. 16 vs. Tampa Catholic; Oct. 23 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic; Oct. 30 at Pinellas Park
Key players: QB Kreg Brown; RB Amir Smith; WR Sanjae Green; WR/CB Mike Reed; RB Wayne Walters; RB Tyson Drummond; LB Nate Jackson; WR Tyler Nixon; DT Tyrean Howard; RB Malik Slocomb
Playing the best to be the best
Promoting Fowler from defensive coordinator to head coach not only preserved Lakewood’s playing philosophies but also its winning pedigree. Only state champion Sarasota Cardinal Mooney had the Spartans’ number, something they hope to overcome by amping up their schedule. Getting a new quarterback up to speed will be key, although a talented receiving corps and running back transfers should speed up the process. “Everyone is coming for us,” Jackson said. “They want to see us lose, but they’ve got to beat us.”
Largo
Coach: Marcus Paschal, 13th season
Last season: 6-5
District: Class 5A-8
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Pinellas Park; Aug. 28 vs. Northeast; Sept. 4 at Tarpon Springs; Sept. 11 at Sickles; Sept. 18 vs. Clearwater; Sept. 25 vs. Gaither; Oct. 2 at Dunedin; Oct. 9 vs. East Lake; Oct. 16 at Mitchell; Oct. 30 vs. Osceola
Key players: QB Carmelo Dixon; WR Cyncere Matthews; RB Rashad Smith; OT Paxton Key; OL Alo Maafu; LB Andrew Paschal Jr.; DB Myles Paschal; WR Kylen Monk; WR Cyncere Matthews; WR Ronald Collins
Offense could drive Packer success
Defense, especially stellar front seven play, has been a hallmark of Largo’s success. In his third year running the offense, veteran coach Paschal feels the offense could come into its own as well. After a strong summer of 7-on-7, stacked with veteran leadership and loaded with athletes, the Packers look to achieve its annual goal of a 10-win season. There also is plenty of experience with 15 starters returning combined on both sides of the ball.
Northeast
Coach: Auggie Sanchez, third season
Last season: 3-7
District: Class 4A-10
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Dunedin; Aug. 28 vs. Largo; Sept. 4 at Indian Rocks Christian; Sept. 11 at Hollins; Sept. 18 vs. Lakewood; Sept. 25 at Clearwater; Oct. 9 vs. Osceola; Oct. 16 at Pinellas Park; Oct. 23 vs. St. Petersburg; Oct. 30 at Boca Ciega
Key players: DL/OL Mirsad Dzenanovic; WR/DB William Brown; LB/RB/P Joshua Lewis Jr.; QB Carter Griffin; TE Gavin Wright; MLB Joshua Lewis; DE/OLB Adrian Brown; DE Orion Sillito
Days of discovery coming for Vikings
Graduation affects every team every year, but tack on an excessive exodus of offensive talent and a mold problem due to flooding in its locker room and Northeast has had more than its share of adversity to deal with. Sanchez and his staff are taking a long-term approach, developing younger student athletes for success on and off the field. Finding mobile linemen to power the Vikings’ Wing-T offense will be key as will taking a talented defensive front seven to the next level.
Northside Christian
Coach: Adarius Rayner, second season
Last season: 7-4
District: Class 1A-8
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. River Ridge; Aug. 28 vs. Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Sept. 4 at Carrollwood Day; Sept. 11 vs. Boynton Beach Somerset Academy – Canyons; Sept. 18 at Seffner Christian; Sept. 25 at Sarasota Christian; Oct. 2 vs. Calvary Christian; Oct. 9 at St. Petersburg Catholic; Oct. 16 vs. Indian Rocks Christian; Oct. 30 at Lakeland Christian
Key players: RB/LB Cody Sanderson; WR/DB Zion Watson; DL/OL Keavin VanBuren; CB/WR Elijah Woods; RB/LB Cody Sanderson; OL Evan Lockwood; DL/TE Jakob Langfermann.
Quarterback questions for the Mustangs
The biggest question for the Mustangs is finding a replacement for Jack Griffin, who made a splash as an eighth grader, passing for almost 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to the playoffs. Three quarterbacks — Dylan Hobbs, Trey Teasdale and Luke Williams — are battling to be the starter. A skilled wide receiver room led by Watson (1,036 yards, 11 TDs) and a developing running back group gives NSC plenty of weapons. Building a fast, physical defense along with the teams’ response to adversity will be key indicators to a strong season.
Osceola
Coach: Mike Davis, second season
Last season: 7-4
District: Class 4-10
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Seminole; Aug. 28 vs. Gibbs; Sept. 4 vs. East Lake; Sept. 11 vs. Pinellas Park; Sept. 25 at Hollins; Oct. 2 vs. Bradenton Southeast; Oct. 9 at Northeast; Oct. 16 vs. St. Petersburg; Oct. 23 vs. Clearwater; Oct. 30 at Largo
Key players: WR/DB Tommy Wright, DB Ziah Abdelkader, TE/LB Matt Moon, TE/LB Turner Smith, RB/LB Heljon Franklin OL/DL Keegan Woolard
Major player loss will challenge Warriors
After graduating 25 players from last year’s team that won a district title, as well as losing some key assistants in the offseason, Osceola will have to get “really creative” and connected according to coach Mike Davis. New offensive coordinator Will Ayres comes from Alabama with a good reputation. The Warriors must rebuild its defensive line and linebacking unit.
Palm Harbor University
Coach: Michael Mullaney, seventh season
Last season: 6-5
District: Class 6A-11
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Countryside; Sept. 4 vs. St. Petersburg; Sept. 11 at Parrish Community; Sept. 18 at Hollins; Sept. 25 vs. Alonso; Oct. 9 at Steinbrenner; Oct. 16 at East Lake; Oct. 23 at Strawberry Crest; Oct. 30 vs. Dunedin
Key players: WR Grahm Pitcock; RB Garrett Perkins; LB Logan Rapp; TE/DE John Daniels; WR Alejandro Henriquez
Learning key to success for Hurricanes
With a QB battle between seniors Jackson Taylor and Anthony Noia and four of the five offensive line spots to fill, how quickly PHU can come together will play a role in earning another playoff berth. The ‘Canes defense has potential to excel but will have to clean up some mistakes. Veteran head coach Michael Mullaney is pointing to his squad’s first five games (“competing with teams in our talent range”) as an indicator of potential success before entering its rugged district slate.
Pinellas Park
Coach: Takoby Cofield
Last season: 5-6
District: 4A-10
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Largo; Aug. 28 vs. East Lake; Sept. 4 at Dunedin; Sept. 11 at Osceola; Sept. 25 at St. Petersburg; Oct. 2 vs. Seminole; Oct. 9 at Clearwater; Oct. 16 vs. Northeast; Oct. 23 vs. Hollins; Oct. 30 vs. Lakewood.
Cofield brings a new offense to Pinellas Park
There is a new coach at Pinellas Park. Takoby Cofield, a former offensive lineman at Duke, takes over the program after Max Smith left to become the offensive coordinator at St. Petersburg.
The change should show up quickly on the field. Cofield is expected to open things up on offense, and he will be doing it largely with new faces after a roster that saw plenty of turnover in the offseason.
Seminole
Coach: Thomas Pipkins, second season
Last season: 0-10
District: Class 3A-11
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Osceola; Sept. 4 vs. Hollins; Sept. 11 at Anclote; Sept. 18 at Lakeland George Jenkins; Sept. 25 at Gibbs; Oct. 2 at Pinellas Park; Oct. 9 at Dunedin; Oct. 16 vs. Tarpon Springs; Oct. 22 vs. Countryside; Oct. 30 at St. Petersburg
Key players: CB/WR Trenton Vaughan; OG/DT Grayson Taylor; ATH Ryan Abbott; QB Ryan Abbott; RB Geo Robinson
Warhawks looking to get off schneid
It’s tough enough for Pipkins to turn around a squad that was shut out seven times last year while allowing 442 points. Now, construction on the Warhawks’ campus has forced preseason workouts 20 minutes away at Pinellas Barbell. But roster numbers are climbing and the team features 14 rising seniors whose experience could factor into a strong season.
St. Petersburg
Coach: Denis Gillen, seventh year
Last season: 2-7
District: Class 4A-10
Schedule: Aug. 28 vs. Boca Ciega; Sept. 4 at Palm Harbor University; Sept. 11 vs. Clearwater; Sept. 18 at Gibbs; Sept. 25 vs. Pinellas Park; Oct. 2 at Lakewood; Oct. 9 vs. Hollins; Oct. 16 at Osceola; Oct. 23 at Northeast; Oct. 30 vs. Seminole
Key players: QB Cole Underwood; RB Phillip Cushingberry; OL/DL Jaylen Maxwell; WR Blake Dickinson; MLB Jackson Hedden; DB John Pericles; LB Jackson Heddon; TE Jackson Stier; OL DeCameron Johnson; OL Mateo Johnson
Buy-in equals bounce back
In their second year post-Jeffery Jones, the Green Devils hope several athletes can fill his ample shoes. Underwood threw for more than 1,100 yards in 2025, almost 500 of those going to Dickinson. A young offensive line will be tasked with making St. Petersburg’s RPO attack productive. The program is buying into Gillen’s plan as the program suffered no key transfer departures.
St. Petersburg Catholic
Coach: Jesse Chinchar, second season
Last season: 12-1
District: 1A-8
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Gibbs; Aug. 28 at Tampa Catholic; Sept. 4 vs. Lennard; Sept. 11 TBA; Sept. 18 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic; Oct. 2 at Zephyrhills Christian; Oct. 9 vs. Northside Christian; Oct. 16 vs. Alonso; Oct. 23 at Carrollwood Day; Oct. 30 vs. SFA
Key players: QB Chase Burrill; RB Larry Christian III; OL Quinston Howard; DB Tylan Huff; WR Shrodderick Pritchett; DT/OG Racoy Taylor
Banner year of the Barons?
Coming off its first undefeated regular season in school history, St. Petersburg Catholic is looking to take the step.
After advancing to the region finals, the Barons are aiming to win a state title, something no Pinellas County has ever accomplished.
The talent is there. The Barons return Burrill, who set the Pinellas County record with 53 touchdown passes last season. Christian also is back to lead the running game. And the roster was bolstered by the addition of several transfers.
Tarpon Springs
Coach: Jeremy Frioud, fifth season
Last season: 3-7
District: Class 3A-11
Schedule: Aug. 21 at Hollins; Aug. 28 vs. Palm Harbor University; Sept. 4 vs. Largo; Sept. 11 vs.Gibbs; Sept. 18 at East Lake; Sept. 25 at Dunedin; Oct. 9 vs. Countryside; Oct. 16 at Seminole; Oct. 23 vs. Anclote; Oct. 30 vs. Gulf
Key players: DE/FB Sebastian Narvaez; LT/DL Aiden Arnold; RB/LB Noah Driver; WR Travis White; OLB/SS Kaleb Clarke; S/WR Aden Walker; WR/DB Ayden Bender
Spongers looking to take next step
The Frioud Era has been positive for Tarpon Springs. The buy-in for his system has been strong and, apart from last season, the wins have followed. As always, Frioud looks for strong conditioning to survive a long, hot season, and physicality that knocks the steam and stuffing out of his opponents. Senior leadership will help mitigate an ongoing quarterback competition and minimize mistakes on the field.