Can you feel the excitement?
We’re just about a month out from the Friday Night lights turning on for what promises to be a terrific 2024 high school football season.
As we reflect on the wild ride that was the 2023 season, which included walkoff wins and intense rivalries, we have about a million questions heading into the upcoming fall slate.
2024 Spring Football Results: ECS, Gateway, SFCA pick up wins, Island Coast loses close game
More: High School Football: The must-watch SW Florida games of the 2024 season in Lee and Collier
We’ve narrowed our inquiries down to 24 and here are the top 24 questions as we head into the 2024 high school football season:
What will Michigan commit Carter Smith’s senior season look like?
There is no hiding that Bishop Verot had championship-level goals for its squad. With the Vikings’ local dominance and talent, they have no reason to pretend otherwise. However, the team has suffered disappointments in the playoffs, including last year’s seven-turnover performance against Booker in the regional final. Fortunately for the Vikings, their best player in Michigan-committed quarterback Carter Smith is back for his final high school season. Smith has shattered records in his high school career, throwing for more than 7,000 yards and 73 touchdowns and rushing for more than 1,900 yards and 44 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 signal-caller has been an impact player since his freshman season, and Verot would like nothing more than to capitalize on one of the best quarterback talents Southwest Florida has ever seen with a state title. One aspect working in the Vikings’ favor is a tougher schedule this season. Going up against the likes of Venice and Jesuit in the regular season should make this squad more battle-tested for the postseason.
How will the Dunbar vs. Naples rivalry play out?
When the FHSAA released the new football classifications in December, one obvious rivalry stood out. Class 4A-District 12 consists of South Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, and familiar foes Dunbar and Naples. Despite not having played each other in the regular season since 2014, the Tigers and Golden Eagles have established quite a tenacious rivalry. In back-to-back regional final games, Dunbar has gone on the road and knocked off Naples squads that were top-seeded in the region. There is every reason to believe these intense matchups will continue to deliver. Naples starting running back Shawn Simeon returns for his senior year after going for more than 2,000 yards last season including 171 yards in the Golden Eagles’ playoff loss to the Tigers. Dunbar has lost key pieces, including cornerback Kelby Tyre, who secured victory for his team last fall with a walk-off kickoff return for a touchdown. However, no team reloads better than the Tigers, who will be returning an experienced backfield of quarterback Austin Price and running back Chris Singleton.
What prospects will emerge for top colleges this season?
Some of Southwest Florida’s best prospects remain uncommitted, and many have an opportunity to make a name for themselves this fall. First Baptist wide receiver Jayden Petit, a four-star recruit who has pulled in 11 Division-I offers to this point, will be one to watch. Rising seniors Jayce Cora, Madrid Tucker, and Niko Boyce have yet to make their college decisions. There are also several under-the-radar players whose recruiting might be on the verge of blowing up. Rising sophomore Jyden German dazzled as a sprinter on the track this spring. He will continue to grow as a two-way player for Fort Myers and has already picked up offers from West Virginia, South Florida and Syracuse. Naples running back Trayvon Jean and Bishop Verot running back Deshon Jenkins are two of the best players at their position in the area, and will certainly attract eyes from scouts this fall.
Previously: Top 5 SWFL spring football storylines to watch include new coaches and returning talent
What new head coach will have the most success in Year One?
Several local squads are coming into the season with new leaders at the helm. Bonita Springs, Gulf Coast, Golden Gate, Gateway, Oasis, South Fort Myers, Mariner, and Cape Coral all have new head coaches. Who might see the most success? Despite the change in head coach from Todd Nichols to former Lehigh defensive coordinator Manny Evans, many of the Sharks’ top returning players like quarterback Jace Seyler, offensive weapons Cayden Daugherty and John Ruggiero, and linebacker James Brockmeier will be back to field a competitive squad. The Gulf Coast defense limited opponents to less than 20 points in six games last year, and Evans’ expertise can certainly help the Sharks continue to hang their hat on…
The News-Press
