Round 1 Central–North Florida Quarterbacks Show Up in Big Moments

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champ Monds | 2028 | Vero Beach | @champmonds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier 2028 prospects in the entire country returned from injury and instantly reminded everyone why his stock is so high. Monds was nearly flawless — 22/25, 277 yards, 3 TDs — operating with timing, confidence, and poise. With him back under center, Vero Beach immediately looks more dangerous heading into Round 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1841861' first='Blake' last='McCullough'] | 2028 | Bishop Moore | @blake_mcc3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCullough continues to play with veteran-level maturity. In a dominant 61–6 win over Hernando, he went 12/13 for 147 yards and 5 TDs, showing clean footwork, efficient decision-making, and command of the offense. He's trending toward becoming one of the more complete young QBs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Whittemore | 2028 | Buchholz | @AndrewWhit19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quietly one of the better outings of Round 1, Whittemore delivered 13/22, 225 yards, 2 TDs in Buchholz's high-scoring 49–41 win over Oviedo. Road environment, fast-paced game, pressure-packed moments — and he handled it with calm execution. His accuracy and feel continue to separate him in a loaded ‘28 group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patrick Harding | 2026 | Zephyrhills | @patrickbeballin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another week, another strong performance. Harding threw for 200+ yards and 3 TDs, guiding Zephyrhills to a clean 1–0 start in the postseason. He's elevated his play all season and is making a strong argument as one of Florida's better 2026 quarterbacks. A must-watch matchup is coming next vs. Lake Wales.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604864' first='Sebastian' last='Galeano'] | 2027 | Oviedo | @SebastianGal18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A school-record performance: 30/46, 471 yards, 4 TDs. Galeano is one of the cleanest natural throwers in the 2027 class — smooth mechanics, efficient base, and sharp decision-making. Even in defeat, his stock continues to rise as an under-the-radar QB who's starting to draw serious college interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kevin Verpaele | 2027 | Merritt Island | @KevinVerpaele17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-2, 190, Verpaele checks the physical boxes early. He showed command in Round 1, flashing dual-threat ability and consistent mechanics. His combination of size, mobility, and arm talent offers real upside, and college programs are already taking notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>King Boylston | 2027 | Ed White | @KingBoylston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boylston has earned the spotlight up north, leading Ed White to a 9-2 mark and a Round 1 win. His regular season numbers speak loudly — 1,844 passing yards, 22 TDs, plus 623 rushing yards and 12 TDs. A true dual-threat with leadership traits and polished mechanics, he's one of the top 2027 arms heading into the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Emanuel | 2026 | Edgewater | @CarterEmanuel1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emanuel has been a model of efficiency. He guided Edgewater to an undefeated regular season, won the “Battle for the Barrel” rivalry over Boone, and helped deliver a dominant Round 1 victory over Lake Gibson. He's providing the exact kind of steady leadership playoff teams need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kingston Lloyd | 2029 | Lake Wales | @KingstonL50761</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lloyd continues to show why he's one of the better freshman quarterbacks in Florida. He tossed a pair of touchdowns in Lake Wales' 38–3 Round 1 win over New Smyrna Beach, giving the offense steady control from start to finish. He's poised, accurate, and already playing beyond his age — the long-term upside is real.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also Notable Round 1 Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coles Rosendahl | 2026 | Ponte Vedra | @RosendahlCole</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19/31, 253 yards, 2 TDs in a tight 1-point win over Niceville — clutch execution when it mattered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212269' first='Jaden' last='Weatherly'] | 2026 | Bolles | @jadenweatherly_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perfect on the night — 7/7, 115 yards, 2 TDs — in a dominant playoff win. Efficient, clean, confident.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden Phifer | 2028 | Nease | @AidenPhifer16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showed dual-threat versatility with 108 passing yards plus 119 rushing yards and 3 TDs in a strong team win over Oakland. One of the more balanced young QBs trending upward in North Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->