Florida high school football players delivered some electrifying performances during opening week of the 2026 season.
From Chaminade-Madonna’s Brady Quinn leading the defending Class 1A state runner-up to a blowout win to Lake Nona’s Taebor Williams catching a 45-yard Hail Mary pass on the game’s final play to stun Evans, Sunshine State athletes were impressive during Week 1.
High School On SI has selected 15 nominees for Florida High School Football Player of the Week. Read about each candidate below and cast your vote.
Voting closes at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 30, PT. The winner will be announced the following week.
Congratulations to St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Wyatt Smith for winning Florida High School Football Player of the Week in the Aug. 17 poll.
Vote: Florida High School Football Player of the Week (Aug. 24, 2026)
Brady Quinn, QB, Chaminade-Madonna
Junior transfer from Naples Lely continues to impress, completing 13 of 20 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns to power the Lions past Monarch, 49-21.
Taebor Williams, ATH, Lake Nona
Winter Park transfer and super sophomore caught a 45-yard Hail Mary pass from Elijah Nickerson as time expired to help the Lions stun Evans, 31-27.
Khalil Davis, ATH, St. Cloud
Star senior returned an interception 58 yards for a TD for what proved to be the game-winning score in the third quarter to power the Bulldogs past Kissimmee Osceola, 18-15, in a battle between two of Osceola County’s oldest rivals.
Brycen Marbrey, QB, Lake Howell
Junior delivered another stunning performance, passing for 242 yards and five TDs to guide the Silverhawks past Winter Springs, 57-16, in a Seminole County showdown.
Nick Dyer, QB, Cooper City
Scrappy signal-caller completed 12 of 19 passes for 298 yards and three TDs and ran for another score to lead the Cowboys past North Broward Prep, 48-21, in a South Florida contest.
Marcus Stracke, QB, American Heritage Delray Beach
Junior went wild for the Stallions, completing 27 of 41 passes for 529 yards and four TDS in a 49-12 rout of Somerset Academy.
Jayden Hart, WR, Fort Myers Gateway
Turned in one of the most spectacular receiving performances of Week 1, catching three passes for a whopping 220 yards and three TDs to guide the Eagles past East Lee County, 48-8.
Deandre Merideth, S, West Orange
Junior defensive back made the game-saving interception in the final minute to help the Warriors knock off Ohio’s Archbishop Hoban, 28-24, in an interstate showdown.
Isaac Farling, RB, Mount Dora Christian
Rushed 25 times for 358 yards and a whopping six TDs to power the Bulldogs past NSU University, 49-35.
Makael Williams, RB, Pace
Senior and South Alabama commit ran 19 times for 228 yards and four TDs to march the Patriots past Fairhope (Ala.), 41-0.
Jaylen Youngblood, QB, Jay
Signal-caller rushed for four scores to march the Royals past Baker, 35-6.
Hudson Kwartler, K, University Christian
Junior made the game-winning field goal to lead the Fighting Christians past Ponte Vedra, 31-29, in a North Florida showdown.
Andrew Whittemore, QB, Buchholz
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Gainesville signal-caller passed for 220 yards and three TDs to power the Bobcats past Ocala Vanguard, 34-28, in overtime in a North Central Florida showdown.
Brennan Monaco, WR, Beachside
Senior hauled in four TD passes to propel the Barracudas past KIPP Bold City, 58-0.
Bryce Lawton, RB, Union County
The talented senior rumbled for 176 yards and five TDs on just five carries to power the Tigers past Rutherford, 35-34.
About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals.Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports.Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962
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