WHO: New Smyrna Beach (6A-9) at Palm Beach Central (8A-10)
WHEN: Friday, May 24
WHERE: Palm Beach Central Stadium, Wellington
WHY: New Smyrna Beach which had a great season (9-0), but a disappointing exit from the playoffs last season, is ready to step up for another challenge. That challenge will have the Barracudas on the road and take on one of the emerging teams in Class 8A with Palm Beach Central. The Broncos of Palm Beach Central have been rising up through the ranks the last few years, winning their first district championship this past season when it stunt rival Park Vista. Now the challenge will be to keep things in this direction and take the next step to become one of the more dominate teams in Palm Beach County. However, the Broncos will have to replace some talent at a few positions, but they do have some returning playmakers that will help lead the way once again in a more crowded district. For New Smyrna Beach, the key for them will be to find the talent that can rise up to the challenge and fill the holes left open due to graduation.
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![Three generations of Garcia's pose for a photo from Hillsborough (Tampa) on Sunday, July 12 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. From left to right is Hillsborough Head Coach Earl Garcia Jr., Earl "EJ" Garcia IV, and Earl Garcia III. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-2-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
![The Durant Cougars (Plant City) hold up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Flag during the photo session of the 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Football Media Day on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-1-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
