24 SW Florida high school football questions we have entering the 2024 season

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 that side of the ball.

Which transfers will make the most impact?

Every season, it seems the high school transfer portal gets going during the offseason and becomes a bigger influence on teams' success. Several private schools will be hoping new faces become critical pieces for the upcoming season. At First Baptist, that includes Golden Gate transfer Bradley Martino, Micah Fils-Aime, and Christanley Joseph. Bishop Verot is adding former Lehigh players James Little IV, Marquan Young, and Marquis Young along with East Lee's Justin Prieto and South Fort Myers' Quinn Enguita. Community School will get a lift from Lely's Jayce Cora and Jayvian Tanelus, along with Barron Collier's Reese Van Gemert. Southwest Florida public schools also brought in some intriguing talent. Chief among them is Naples, who will have Golden Gate's Trayvon Jean join Shawn Simeon for potentially the best running back room in the area.

More: 2024 SW Florida high school football transfer tracker: See which area athletes are on the move

Who will lead SW Florida in receiving yards?

Many of the area's leading receivers have graduated or departed, opening up plenty of opportunities for emerging talents. One obvious returning threat at wide receiver is First Baptist's Jayden Petit, who caught 66 passes for 1,141 yards and 16 touchdowns. Petit, who had six games with more than 100 receiving yards last season, will be the Lions' de facto No. 1 option with Winston Watkins Jr. moving on to play his senior season at Venice. Another player impossible to overlook is Fort Myers' Madrid Tucker, who totaled 842 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns last season. Though the Greenies will have a new quarterback in the upcoming season, there is no question Tucker will remain a critical part of the offense. Transfers like Bradley Martino at First Baptist and Jayce Cora at Community School should also be significant factors, and Bishop Verot will surely have a prime target or two emerge for quarterback Carter Smith.

Who will lead SW Florida in rushing yards?

Though Southwest Florida graduated many top players at receiver, several top running backs are returning. Naples' Shawn Simeon took the crown last season, but the addition of Golden Gate running back Trayvon Jean to the Golden Eagles could open the door for other talented backs. Looking at volume, East Lee County's Lazaro Rogers and Riverdale's Cole Hayes each totaled more than 200 carries for their respective teams, piling up more than 1,500 rushing yards. Bishop Verot's Deshon Jenkins led the Vikings with 1,260 yards last season, and quarterback Carter Smith certainly will put up big numbers with his legs as well. Dunbar's Chris Singleton, Island Coast's Gervaris Leaphart, South Fort Myers' Victor Jenkins, Fort Myers' Frank Starks, Estero's Malik Allen, Lely's Nino Joseph and Oasis' Fred Harley Jr. are more names to keep in mind coming into this season.

What will Cape Coral's season look like?

The Seahawks started last season with promise, winning their first four games before dropping the next six. Assistant coach Isaac Harvin was in line to succeed head coach Larry Gary before getting removed by the Lee County School District pending an investigation. Seahawks assistant coaches Jaylen Watkins, a former Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Tyler Murphy are leading Cape Coral through summer workouts. The team has plenty of promise, including Kansas commit Darrion Jones at defensive back and wide receiver Kalonji Hamilton, who has pulled in recent offers from Oregon, Auburn and Mississippi State.

Will North Fort Myers rebound from last year's disappointment?

The Red Knights have been a staple of consistent success in the west, making last season's 3-7 campaign an alarming departure. However, there is reason to believe North will rebound in David Pasquale's second year as head coach. Four of the team's seven losses last year were by one score, and several young players got key experience. That includes likely starting quarterback Caedon Conn and game-wrecking defensive lineman James Johnson, who should be cornerstones for the Red Knights coming into this season. Both showed out in the spring game, along with Antoine Phillips on both sides of the ball. The team's new district looks like a competitive one with Fort Myers, Riverdale and East Lee, but North definitely has a chance to improve.

Which SW Florida teams stand to benefit from new districts?

The FHSAA released new districts in December, bringing an added layer of intrigue to the upcoming season. One team that might have upgraded is Barron Collier, going from a district where they finished third despite an 8-2 record to the new Class 3A-District 14 with Lely, Bonita Springs and Aubrey Rogers. The Patriots remain a young program, the Bull Sharks are rebuilding after the departure of head coach Rich Dombroski and Lely lost some key players in the offseason — all these factors help make Mark Jackson's squad the favorite here. Fort Myers won't have it easy in Class 5A-District 11 with East Lee, Riverdale and North Fort Myers but is the most consistent program of the bunch. Class 1A-District 10 is not dramatically different with Gulf Coast HEAT replacing Moore Haven in the district with ECS and SFCA. Look for the Sentinels to have a good shot at their third consecutive district title.

Who will come out on top of the Immokalee-Gulf Coast rivalry?

The Indians and Sharks will remain district rivals in Class 5A-District 12, which is great news for local football fans. These teams have produced some of the best games of the past two seasons. Last season, Immokalee came out on top in the district title game in a 13-10 defensive battle and triumphed again in the playoffs with a 37-30 with a miracle play when backup quarterback Chris Germinal found Rodenel Anthony for a 57-yard touchdown to seal the victory. The season prior, it was Gulf Coast on the winning end of a heartbreaker, capturing the district title against the Indians with a 27-21 win. The teams will face off this year in Week 10, so get your popcorn ready.

Who will lead SW Florida in sacks?

Southwest Florida is filled with talent along the defensive line with several players breaking out last year. Some of those players have the opportunity to become the top local sack artist. At Bishop Verot, Ryan Peterson has improved every season and will be a key returning defensive lineman coming into his senior season after notching 7.5 sacks last year, plus 60 tackles and 18.5 tackles-for-loss. Playing just nine games last season, Fort Myers rising junior Kendall Guervil recorded 5.5 sacks, along with 49 tackles and eighth tackles-for-loss and has offers from 11 Division-I programs. Dunbar's Mint Edwards is another candidate after leading the Tigers with 26 tackles-for-loss last year. North Fort Myers rising junior James Johnson, who has seen his recruiting skyrocket this spring, broke out last season with 51 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks. First Baptist's Micah Fils-Aime, who played at Golden Gate last season, set a school record with 12 sacks last year.

Can CSN challenge to become one of Collier County's best football teams?

The Seahawks were a breakout team last season, starting the season 7-0 before First Baptist handed them their first loss and falling to Moore Haven in the playoffs. Cale Austin returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,778 yards and 14 touchdowns against three interceptions. He is flanked by an impressive offensive line featuring George Haseotes and Taren Hedrick. The addition of former Lely players — Jayce Cora on defense and Jayvian Tanelus on offense — should provide significant boosts to the Seahawks. In his second season as head coach, Mike Stannard has an opportunity to continue to build something special at Community School.

Can First Baptist compete for a FHSAA state title again?

Billy Sparacio's squad had continued to develop into one of the top programs in Southwest Florida, culminating in the Lions capturing the Class 1S championship in 2022. That Lion squad included several young players who are now senior leaders for the program. That includes quarterback Ethan Crossan, wide receiver Jayden Petit, athlete Sam Sparacio and safety Logan Bartley. The experience of those players — plus the additions of former Golden Gate standouts Bradley Martino, Micah Fils-Aime and Christanley Joseph — should make First Baptist contenders once again. On the flip side, the team lost four-star wideout Winston Watkins Jr., who transferred to Venice, and the end of Metro-Suburban districts will make the Lions' path to another state title tougher. But there's no denying the Lions are one of the most talented groups in the area with state playoff experience in their back pocket.

Can Barron Collier and Immokalee build on promising seasons?

These two Collier County programs will be ones to watch. The Cougars went 8-2 last season in a tough district with Naples and Golden Gate. It was a strong debut at Barron Collier for quarterback Niko Boyce, who is heading into his senior season after throwing for 1,908 yards and 20 touchdowns and leading the team in rushing with 629 yards and 11 touchdowns. His favorite target, rising senior Brody Graham, will be back after catching 48 passes for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. At Immokalee, it will be the third season under head coach James Delgado, who has helped improve the Indians' record each year, culminating in going 6-6 last year and winning the district title. The team will need to replace several key players, including Chandron Pierre and Trannon Villareal, who graduated, and Justin Compere and Omarion Carter, who both transferred to Miami Norland. Running back Jayden Mixon, who had 106 carries for 587 yards and nine touchdowns last year could be a big factor for this squad.

Where do Mariner and Estero stand after graduating special senior classes?

The Tritons and Wildcats are in similar positions, coming off outstanding seasons with questions about their future. Mariner put together a historic season, going 8-3 and winning the program's first district title since 1997. However, core players Kelvin Jimenez, Marcus Kelley Jr., and Justin Lewis have graduated and head coach Josh Nicholson stepped down. Now headed by Brian Staats, it's difficult to know where this team stands heading into the 2023-24 season. One promising returning player is Kaelan Davison, who averaged 24.5 yards per reception last year and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Estero punched their ticket to the postseason for the third consecutive season but graduated players such as quarterback Matt Wilson and safety Luke Ghannam who were critical to that success. Going forward, the Wildcats have talent at the skill positions with the return of running back Malik Allen and wide receiver Kegan Kreuscher. Head coach Darren Nelson and his staff have led a strong rebuild of this program, so don't be surprised if the Wildcats are contending for the Class 3A-District 13 title.

More: Mariner names Brian Staats as new head football coach, replacing Josh Nicholson

Which Lee County team is in line to leap forward?

Every year it seems a surprise team makes a splash. Last year, Mariner and East Lee County were teams that made big improvements. Expect the Jaguars to continue that growth in the third season under head coach Herbans Paul. The team brings back one of the area's most dangerous running backs in Lazaro Rogers, who committed to Northern Illinois. Another team that could take a step forward is Riverdale in the second season under head coach Kendoll Gibson. The Raiders established one of the most powerful rushing attacks last season with a bruising offensive line and running back Cole Hayes, who scored 15 touchdowns and averaged 162 rushing yards a game. The team added former South Fort Myers head coach Willis May, a proven winner with the Wolfpack and at Stoneman Douglas, to the coaching staff. It would not be surprising to see Riverdale improve on last year's 2-8 record.

How will NIL change the landscape of football in Southwest Florida?

Florida became the latest state to allow high school athletes to profit from name, image, and likeness when the FHSAA Board of Directors approved the measure in June. The new rules allow students and their parents or guardians to negotiate any NIL deals with schools prohibited from getting involved. There is no telling how difficult the new rules will be to enforce. In this first year, school districts will likely be scrambling to educate coaches and players on how it all works. It will certainly be worth following how the changes unfold and their impact on Southwest Florida football.

What madness will ensue in the Fort Myers-Dunbar game?

The Greenies and the Tigers might not be in the same district anymore, but that doesn't mean the Edison Corridor Showdown will have any less drama this year. The teams will face off in the last game of the regular season, promising high stakes and the drama we have come to know from this matchup. The teams have faced off in five consecutive one-score games with each ending more dramatic than the next. This culminated in last season's 21-17 playoff win by the Tigers when Madrid Tucker's nearly heroic 28-yard touchdown catch as time expired was ruled out of bounds by a toe. Dunbar has gotten the better of this rivalry of late, but these games have proved to be guaranteed fireworks.

Will Naples restore order in Collier County?

One of the most stunning results of the 2023 season came when Golden Gate upset Naples 30-19 at Staver Field. It's a rarity for the Golden Eagles to drop any game to another Collier County team, let alone on their home field. Naples still recovered to finish the regular season 8-2 and pulled off a stunning 63-33 win against Port Charlotte to reach the regional final game. Running back Shawn Simeon made history in that game, going off for 387 yards and seven touchdowns for a school record and state playoff single-game record . Simeon's return to the backfield for the Golden Eagles and the addition of Golden Gate bruiser Trayvon Jean should make the team's rushing attack one of the best in the area. Defensively, the team loses key players like Kensley Faustin and Luke Walker but there are several players, like defensive back Jordan Bergeron and linebacker Khari Bendolph who will soften the blow. Barron Collier, Lely, Golden Gate, and Immokalee will all have a shot at Naples this season, but Naples appears poised to return to the throne.

Will ECS continue to grow under coach Mack Mitchell?

Replacing a head coach like Earnest Graham is never easy, but the Sentinels' handoff to Graham's former teammate in Mitchell proved to be incredibly smooth. Having gone 14-6 under Mitchell the last two seasons, ECS continues to establish itself as a team to watch. The team will replace starting quarterback Tanner Helton with Jamarion McIlroy, who flashed as a starter at Gateway and sat behind Helton last year. McIlroy led the Sentinels in a strong outing in the spring, defeating Aubrey Rogers 42-6 and showcasing his prowess as a dual threat. Mack Mitchell Jr., Ayden Stoneburner and Tyce Harris all scored rushing touchdowns. This ECS squad is shaping up to be a handful this season.

Who will lead SW Florida in passing yards?

It would be a pretty safe bet to go with Bishop Verot's Carter Smith to win this race for the second time in three seasons — and break even more records in the process. However, several experienced signal-callers will also make some noise this year. First Baptist's Ethan Crossan won the crown last year with a whopping 3,264 passing yards — with state championship pedigree and a talented group of receivers, he has a chance to repeat. Niko Boyce is entering his second season at Barron Collier after nearly throwing for 2,000 yards last season. At Community School, Cale Austin looked solid in his first season under center, and the Seahawks' additions, including Lely's Jayce Cora, should give the offense a boost. Austin Price provided stability for Dunbar last season, throwing for 2,183 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Can Dunbar make a third consecutive Final Four appearance?

If there's any lesson to learn from the recent high school football seasons, it's don't overlook the Tigers. The team is 30-5 over the last three seasons with back-to-back Final Four appearances the last two years. Every year Sammy Brown's squad has been masterful at reloading despite graduating high-level talent bound for Division-I programs. Dunbar will be in that situation once again losing offensive weapons TJ Abrams and Eric Fletcher as well as defensive stalwarts Kye Garcia and Kelby Tyre. One area of continuity will be in the backfield with quarterback Austin Price and running back Chris Singleton. Damari Loggins and Camden Rivera combined for more than 600 yards receiving last year and will be key options in the passing game. On defense, Mint Edwards is a rising senior who anchors the Tigers' defensive line. Defensive backs like Garyan Burger, Hezekiah Jones, and Ken'Dahrius Green all stepped up and made significant plays for Dunbar in the playoffs. The team's playoff experience and established dominance under Brown should lift this squad to be one of the area's best yet again.

What SW Florida players are primed for breakout seasons?

Several players are ready for 2024 to be their year. Bishop Verot defensive back James Little IV, who transferred from Lehigh, is a 3-star prospect and unreal athlete who captured two state medals in hurdling events during the spring track season. Cape Coral wide receiver Kalonji Hamilton has seen his recruiting blow up and should show out for the Seahawks this year. After playing backup at Naples the last two seasons, quarterback Carter Quinn, who has received offers from Ball State, Marshall, and West Virginia, will get an opportunity to start at Lely. Linebacker J.J. Bolz, a transfer from Indiana, is another Verot transfer who could make a big splash this year after recording 99 tackles, three sacks, nine tackles-for-loss, five forced fumbles, and an interception last year.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 24 SW Florida high school football questions we have entering the 2024 season