Week 3: Top Five Games To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Cocoa at IMG Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is the crown jewel of Florida's Week 3 matchups. The Cocoa Tigers travel to face the IMG Academy Ascenders in a clash of titans. Despite an early-season stumble, IMG remains the state's No. 1 team. This showdown features a duel between top-tier quarterbacks: Cocoa's 2026 Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='1247449' first='Brady' last='Hart'], and IMG's 2025 SMU commit [player_tooltip player_id='921479' first='Ty' last='Hawkins']. Both teams are stacked with talent, but the outcome may be decided in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cocoa: [player_tooltip player_id='1247449' first='Brady' last='Hart'] (QB), Jayvann Boggs (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='749702' first='Javion' last='Hilson'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1128073' first='Jaquez' last='Joiner'] (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IMG Academy: [player_tooltip player_id='921479' first='Ty' last='Hawkins'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='265473' first='Michael' last='Carroll'] (OL), [player_tooltip player_id='826644' first='Donovan' last='Olugbode'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='826529' first='Gavin' last='Nix'] (LB), Eric McFarland (WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Lakeland at Lake Mary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes in Polk County will be on this matchup as Lakeland visits Lake Mary. Lakeland, fresh off a bye week and a statement win over Miami Central, faces off against one of the nation's top 2026 quarterbacks, Lake Mary's Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='1206696' first='Noah' last='Grubbs']. Lake Mary's balanced attack and staunch defense will be tested by a Lakeland squad that is looking to continue its march towards state supremacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland: [player_tooltip player_id='1247490' first='Malik' last='Morris'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1127045' first='Keon' last='Young'] (DB), Shanard Clower (ATH), [player_tooltip player_id='1581905' first='Jadarius' last='Dobie'] (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mary: [player_tooltip player_id='1206696' first='Noah' last='Grubbs'] (QB), Isaiah Thomas (RB), TJ Clayton (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>American Heritage at Chaminade-Madonna</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This clash of South Florida powerhouses is a must-watch despite the teams' early-season records. Both American Heritage and Chaminade-Madonna have a reputation for producing 5-star talent and winning big games. With Heritage sitting at 1-1 and Chaminade-Madonna at 0-2, this game carries significant weight for both teams as they seek to right the ship and build momentum for the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American Heritage: [player_tooltip player_id='1247423' first='Dia' last='Bell'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1206222' first='Malachi' last='Toney'] (WR), Greg Thomas (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaminade-Madonna: [player_tooltip player_id='212268' first='Jabari' last='Brady'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='826585' first='Koby' last='Howard'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1247487' first='Jasen' last='Lopez'] (WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>Bolles vs. St. Augustine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top matchup in North Florida pits Bolles against a surging St. Augustine team. After a tough opening loss to Raines, Bolles is looking to bounce back and avoid a second consecutive year loss to St. Augustine. With talent on both sides, this game promises to be a fierce battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bolles: [player_tooltip player_id='1206198' first='Naeem' last='Burroughs'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='212265' first='Simeon' last='Caldwell'] (LB), Asher Ghito (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1263597' first='Ryan' last='Ingram'] (OL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Augustine: [player_tooltip player_id='826612' first='Locklan' last='Hewlett'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1368267' first='Somourian' last='Wingo'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='748968' first='Carl' last='Jenkins'] (DB), Trenton Jones (ATH)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Venice at Bishop Verot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a battle of the West Coast, Venice takes on an undefeated Bishop Verot squad. Both teams boast potent offenses, with Venice looking like a state championship contender. Bishop Verot, with key wins over Jesuit and Tampa Catholic, will lean on their young talent and veteran leadership in this high-stakes game. Watch for a showcase of offensive firepower, headlined by Bishop Verot's Michigan-bound quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith'] and Venice's nationally ranked wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='826461' first='Winston' last='Watkins'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Verot: [player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='283730' first='Deshon' last='Jenkins'] Jr (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice: [player_tooltip player_id='826461' first='Winston' last='Watkins'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='827414' first='Jayce' last='Nixon'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='859613' first='Asharri' last='Charles'] (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->