Preview capsules for Southwest Florida high school football games being played on Aug. 13 and 14. All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
Thursday
Oasis at Canterbury
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Oasis: The Sharks won three of their last four games at the end of the 2025 season. That Oasis team was young, so expect their experience to pay dividends this year. Sophomore running back Cameron Hill returns after going 479 yards and a touchdown on 96 carries, and the coaching staff is high on the potential of 6-foot-2 freshman quarterback Ashton Alveiro. The Sharks won their previous meeting against the Cougars 25-18 in 2023. Canterbury: The Cougars made the move from the SSAA to the FHSAA Independent class, which added a playoff system for the 2026 season. Expect improved physicality for Canterbury under new head coach Tommy Bohanon, a former standout fullback for Wake Forest who played five seasons in the NFL.
Charlotte at Bishop Verot
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Charlotte: The Tarpons finished 6-5 last season and lost to Manatee in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs. Bishop Verot: The Vikings will have a first-time starter at quarterback in senior Hudson Peak, who should benefit from a strong running back. He’ll be asked to improve a passing attack that was inconsistent at best for stretches last year.
DeSoto at LaBelle
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – DeSoto: The Bulldogs went 1-9 last season. After losing their first nine games of the season, DeSoto broke the streak with a 26-6 win against Palmetto Ridge to end the 2025 season. The Bulldogs are 3-2 in their last five meetings against LaBelle but have lost their two most recent matchups. LaBelle: The Cowboys will get their first game action against a fellow Heartland Conference team in the Bulldogs. LaBelle shut out DeSoto 36-0 last season – one of the team’s seven shutout victories last season. The Cowboys return leading rusher Marquay Bradshaw (1,176 yards and 23 TDs on 140 carries), who was key to the team’s consistent success on the ground. LaBelle’s linebacking core and defensive ends are also among the team’s strengths.
Get discount to stream games on NFHS Network
Golden Gate at IMG State
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Golden Gate: The Titans believe they are poised to challenge for a district championship this season, thanks to a skilled defensive front and an improved passing game under second-year starting quarterback Tim Stauffer. The big offensive difference-maker could be sophomore Josiah Senecharles, who led Golden Gate in sacks last year and will also be the team’s lead running back in 2026. IMG State: The Ascenders went 4-5 last year, splitting a pair of games against Lee County opponents. IMG defeated Ida Baker 54-34 and lost 28-21 to SFCA.
Friday
Cape Coral at South Fort Myers
What to watch for – Cape Coral: The Seahawks added a number of impact transfers in the offseason, including defensive linemen Maikol Armas and Kymani Nicholas. They’ll be relied upon to shore up what ultimately proved to be the team’s Achilles’ heel last year: an inability to stop the run. The Wolfpack will test the middle of the Cape defense with a strong offensive front and returning 1,000-yard rusher Arthur Gallishaw in the backfield. South Fort Myers: The Wolfpack returns several top players in the trenches, including defensive lineman Ja’Dell Carter and Cornelius Tims, as well as breakout skill players like running back Arthur Gallishaw and sophomore receiver Jer’Shard Benjamin. This game will be the first look at Cypress Lake transfer Jaydon Henderson in action at quarterback with his new team.
Dunbar at Riverdale
What to watch for – Dunbar: The Tigers’ roster features multiple game-breaking players at the skill positions, which should make for some intriguing matchups against Riverdale’s secondary. Dunbar returns leading receiver Andre Moss as well as another big play waiting to happen in Fort Myers transfer Fred Jackson. Sophomore receiver Tihiem Hutchins is another player that has been turning heads over the summer. This will be the second season for senior quarterback Brandon Seabrook leading the team. Riverdale: The Raiders return a number of productive players on the defensive side of the ball and added an impact transfer in defensive back Levi McKenzie. However, whether or not Riverdale can again be one of the area’s best teams will depend on how its offense performs after losing its top quarterback, running back and wide receivers to graduation.
Naples at Immokalee
What to watch for – Naples: The Golden Eagles will be a young group this season, especially on defense, where just four starters return. That lack of experience, particularly in the secondary, led to a number of breakdowns in the team’s 46-0 spring classic loss to Royal Palm Beach. Naples will also turn to a first-time starter at quarterback in senior Andres Garcia, a converted linebacker who served as the backup to Alijah Molina last year. Immokalee: The Indians rematch with the Golden Eagles after an explosive game last season won 56-29 by Naples. Two of Immokalee’s stars in the one – senior receiver Marshon Jackson and junior running back Youvensley Methelus – are back. The team also has an experienced started in junior Jayden Cowgill, who completed 45 of 75 passes for 662 yards and nine touchdowns late last season. The Indians have a strong secondary led by Jackson and senior Kendrick Perry, but look for younger players to step up as well.
Gulf Coast at Venice
What to watch for – Gulf Coast: This will be the first game the Sharks are led by their new head coach Tommy Kleinmeyer, who replaced two-year head coach Manny Evans in June. Gulf Coast established a strong identity in the run game and returns a 1,500-yard rusher in senior Gio Marenco as well as the entire offensive line. The Shark defense showed a knack for turnovers last season with 22 including seven interceptions from returning defensive back Torren Crane. Venice: The Indians went 9-4 last season, falling in the Class 7A state semifinals to eventual champion Lake Mary. John Peacock’s squad is loaded at the skill positions, including four-star receiver Tyree Mannings Jr. and running backs Dorien Jones and Ira Dale Jr.
Estero at Fort Myers
What to watch for – Estero: The Wildcats bring back one of the area’s top signal callers in senior Maddox Stewart, who threw for 2,741 yards and 30 touchdowns against six interceptions last season as well as senior running back Nathan Watters who posted 12 rushing scores last year. This game will be a chance to look at which receivers are poised to step up – look at junior Aubrey Rogers transfer Hudson King to make his mark. Fort Myers: The 2026 season begins without a Sirianni at the helm of the Greenies for the first time since 1968 after Cypress Lake coach Joey Mendes was hired to replace the retiring Sam Sirianni Jr. Along with him came some key players like safety Kamarien McKay and quarterback Anthony Mendes. Look for player who might emerge at the skill positions like wide receivers Kaedyn Palmer, Christopher Campion and running back Undrially Ivy.
Mariner at Cypress Lake
What to watch for – Mariner: This will be the first action for the Tritons after the school district removed for coaches including head coach Tyran Jones due to improper supervision during a recent team lock-in at the school. Assistant Doug Faasse will serve as interim head coach. The kickoff classic will be a chance to get a look at sophomore quarterback Christopher Parade as well as players who showed out in the Tritons’ spring game win like receiver Jamarion Corbett and running back Wenstan Penermon. Cypress Lake: The Panthers replaced head coach Joey Mendes with former Lehigh interim head coach Mark Flaherty this offseason. Flaherty expects defense to be the strength of the team with returning senior linebacker Mason Kurtz and safety Dakota Beck. A broken collarbone to starter Kaden Kuhnert will delay his start to the season, so look for others in the mix, like sophomore Eddie Robinson, who played in the spring game.
St. John Neumann at Bayshore
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – St. John Neumann: The Celtics added a number of impactful newcomers this offseason, none bigger than former Lely standout quarterback Carter Quinn. The fifth-year senior, who was granted an extra year of eligibility by the FHSAA, missed all of last year while battling leukemia. How well Quinn performs will go a long way toward determining just how big a threat Neumann can be in Class 1A. Bayshore: The Bruins finished 5-7 last season, losing in the Class 3A regional semifinals.
Lehigh at East Lee County
What to watch for – Lehigh: The Lightning have a first-time head coach in former South Fort Myers assistant Sean Downing who will seek to turn a roster that’s annually packed with athletic individuals into a cohesive unit. Lehigh has a potentially explosive running back pairing in senior Kendrick Major and junior Zion Coleman but the Lightning’s ceiling will be largely determined by the performance of senior quarterback Melvin Lawson, a first-time starter at the position. East Lee County: Former Island Coast assistant Justin Dyer is the Jaguars third different head coach in the past three seasons. The Jaguars have plenty of room for growth after posting six shutout losses last year while surrendering more than 47 points per game. Look for senior defensive lineman Shariyf Robinson and senior defensive back Robert Oliver to be steadying forces on defense while the running back tandem of senior Wilkenson Jean and sophomore Liam Lopez are promising offensive pieces.
Island Coast at Gateway
What to watch for – Island Coast: For the third time in the past three seasons, the Gators have a new head coach. Former Charlotte High standout and Fort Myers assistant Justin Midgett will attempt to stabilize a program that saw numerous players depart via transfer. One area to watch is the offensive line, which Midgett said is one of the team’s strengths and will be tasked with setting the foundation for the team’s Wing-T attack. Gateway: The Eagles enter their sixth season and will compete as an FHSAA Independent. Gateway has amassed just seven wins in its first five seasons and will look for better results under first-year coach Chris Strykowski, who most recently served as Charlotte’s assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.
Cooper City at Barron Collier
What to watch for – Cooper City: The Cowboys went 5-5 last year and haven’t finished with a winning record since 2021. Barron Collier: This will be the Cougars first game under interim head coach Andrew Clawson following the resignation of head coach Brannon Tidwell. Barron Collier added several talented newcomers, especially at the skill positions. This matchup will provide an opportunity to determine which of the team’s junior quarterback transfers, Michael Hope or Maximus McKiernan, emerges as the team’s starter.
Bonita Springs at Lely
What to watch for – Bonita Springs: The Bull Sharks will begin a new era with head coach Tony Mottola. This will be a younger Bonita team that is breaking a long held tradition at the school with a spread offense. Senior Jonathan Larkin will be running the show on offense with weapons like receiver Kenneth Garza and running back Hayden O’Connell. Bonita made the change to go independent this offseason. Lely: This is a new-look Trojan team under head coach Dan Nieboer. This Lely plans to air it out often with junior quarterback Luke Trebilcock. Junior Billy Bornelus will be a versatile weapon for the team at running back. The team is solid at the skill positions, and the defensive secondary featuring Maksim Noel and Warren Williamseau will be a strength. Lely has won their last four meetings against Bonita Springs.
North Fort Myers at Aubrey Rogers
What to watch for – North Fort Myers: The Red Knights have traditionally been led by their offensive and defensive lines and that figures to be the case again this season. North has a new starter at quarterback in junior Ryan Johnson, who saw spot duty last year, and will be counted on to lead the offense. Aubrey Rogers: The Patriots are beginning their fourth varsity football season and have matured physically, with coach JJ Everage citing both lines as a team strength. If those fronts perform well against a physical Red Knights squad, that bodes well for second-year starting quarterback Braden Houser and the rest of the Aubrey Rogers squad.
Coral Shores at Ida Baker
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Coral Shores: The Hurricanes went 3-7 last season. The team has been led by head coach Ed Holly the last five seasons. Ida Baker: The Bulldogs are building momentum under second-year head coach Cullen O’Brien. Senior running back Patryell Coleman will be one to watch this season as he will be heavily featured in the Baker offense, especially with top wide receiver Caelum Cragin recovering from an ACL injury. The team is counting on receiver Ian Cunha to help fill that role. The team has a competition as quarterback to watch for – Key West transfer Aspen Turner and Aiden Thurber are in the mix for the job. Former Gateway head coach Chad Powell joined the staff to run the defense in the offseason.
ECS at Palmetto Ridge
What to watch for – ECS: The Sentinels have a potentially explosive offense with junior running backs Tyce Harris and Elijah Yzaguirre and a promising quarterback in 6-foot-3 sophomore Bryson Ganley, who led the program’s JV squad last season. If he can turn that promise into production, ECS could make a run at the Independent playoffs. Palmetto Ridge: Jordan Hampton, who served as interim head coach last season, will look to rebuild a program that’s posted a total of six wins in the past four years. The offensive line will be key to the team’s turnaround as will a running game led by junior Daniel Volcy, who rushed for 178 yards and four touchdowns in the spring.
Gateway Charter at Sarasota Christian
Time: 7 p.m.
What to watch for – Gateway Charter: The Griffins are coming off a 3-8 season playing in the SSAA. Jack O’Rourke, a former Charlotte assistant with more than four decades of coaching experience, was hired to be the team’s head coach, replacing Michael Patterson after one season. This is a regular season game. Sarasota Christian: The Blazers went 5-6 against an independent schedule last season. The team defeated the Griffins 48-14 in a game last October. In that one, Sarasota Christian threw seven passing touchdowns against the Gateway Charter defense.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: SW FL High School Football Week 0: Previews for Thursday and Friday
Reporting by Dan DeLuca and Dustin B Levy, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan DeLuca and Dustin B Levy, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
