Spring Tour 2026

[MarkECannon]

To further make my case that I’m the biggest nutcase Florida high school football fan, here is my Spring Tour 2026.

Wednesday May 13 - South Lake (Groveland), Viera (Melbourne) at St Cloud, 6pm

Thursday May 14 - THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP: Atlantic (Delray Beach), Coconut Creek, Mainland (Daytona Beach), McArthur (Hollywood) at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 6:30pm

Friday May 15 - BATTLE AT BRYANT (Lakeland): Buchholz, Port Charlotte, Lakeland at Bryant Stadium 6pm

Saturday May 16 - BATTLE AT BRYANT: Clearwater Central Catholic, Evans, Jesuit (Tampa) 6pm

Tuesday. May 19 - South Dade at Piper 7pm

Wednesday May 20 - BATTLE AT THE LAKES: Fort Lauderdale, South Miami, Hialeah-Miami Lakes

Thursday May 21 - Flanagan, Miami Springs, Coral Springs at Coral Springs 

Friday May 22 - Braden River, Charlotte, Sarasota at Sarasota High 7pm

Thursday May 28 - Dade Christian at Pine Crest 6pm

* Haven’t confirmed place and time for BATTLE AT THE LAKES.  I’ve contacted all 3 schools but haven’t received a response.  That was over a week ago.  Ridiculous!

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

Full schedule. It's nothing like florida high school football. 

If anyone has confirmed spring south florida matchups with the dates & locations please post them here. Dillard will not be having a spring game this year and would love to attend a great local spring matchup. 

[JDHoss]

9 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

To further make my case that I’m the biggest nutcase Florida high school football fan, here is my Spring Tour 2026.

Wednesday May 13 - South Lake (Groveland), Viera (Melbourne) at St Cloud, 6pm

Thursday May 14 - THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP: Atlantic (Delray Beach), Coconut Creek, Mainland (Daytona Beach), McArthur (Hollywood) at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 6:30pm

Friday May 15 - BATTLE AT BRYANT (Lakeland): Buchholz, Port Charlotte, Lakeland at Bryant Stadium 6pm

Saturday May 16 - BATTLE AT BRYANT: Clearwater Central Catholic, Evans, Jesuit (Tampa) 6pm

Tuesday. May 19 - South Dade at Piper 7pm

Wednesday May 20 - BATTLE AT THE LAKES: Fort Lauderdale, South Miami, Hialeah-Miami Lakes

Thursday May 21 - Flanagan, Miami Springs, Coral Springs at Coral Springs 

Friday May 22 - Braden River, Charlotte, Sarasota at Sarasota High 7pm

Thursday May 28 - Dade Christian at Pine Crest 6pm

* Haven’t confirmed place and time for BATTLE AT THE LAKES.  I’ve contacted all 3 schools but haven’t received a response.  That was over a week ago.  Ridiculous!

See you at PBG on Thursday. I think on Friday we're going to Melbourne for Fort Pierce Westwood @ Melbourne and on Wednesday next week, we'll see John Carroll @ South Fork. 

[Perspective]

14 hours ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

. Dillard will not be having a spring game this year  

Why not?

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

15 hours ago, Perspective said:

Why not?

Focusing and preparing for the season. Plus keeping our revamped roster on the lo until the season. Alot of kids get "took" in the spring. 

[nolebull813]

6 hours ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

Focusing and preparing for the season. Plus keeping our revamped roster on the lo until the season. Alot of kids get "took" in the spring. 

Haha, they got GOT!!!!!

[MarkECannon]

Attended 4 days of Spring Games last week.  Here are my observations. First of all I realize these are only spring games and I don’t really care much about scores in spring games.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

* Very competitive matchups.  Must give credit to the organizers.  Each event had teams that were close to even in quality.

* The St Cloud jamboree was very well run.  It started at 6:30pm instead of 6pm but the event was run like clockwork once it started.  The two day Lakeland event was done well also.

* Now for THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP played at Palm Beach Gardens High.  This was listed for a 5pm start.  I even called the school to confirm this the day of the event.  I arrived at a quarter to 5 to find the field was completely empty.  Mainland vs Coconut Creek was the first game with Atlantic Del Ray vs McArthur to follow.  I walk by the Mainland Head Coach.  He tells me “It starts at 6 sir”.  So I go back to the parking lot to hang out with JDHOSS and his wonderful wife.  We decide to go in the stadium about 20 minutes to 6.  The game had already started.  To make matters worse we are waiting in the stands for the 2nd game when we are informed there will not be a 2nd game.  Atlantic Del Ray and McArthur had pulled out of the event.  
* In the past 2 years there had been more of an emphasis on winning.  There was definitely some of that but not as much this year.

* Usually in these contests the defenses are ahead of the offenses.  Completely flipped.  Offenses ran up and down the field in every contest except Lakeland’s offense against Buchholz.

* Did not have any updated spring rosters so I may not mention the names of players.

SPRING GAME OBSERVATIONS

* The star in St. Cloud was Viera’s OL.  Impressive in run and pass blocking.  You could see on the sidelines they knew they were performing well.  Fun group to watch.  The Viera QB called his own # at least 50% of the time.  He is not a burner but he is an aggressive and effective runner.  Overplay the run against Viera and a streaking, wide open receiver will be in the end zone celebrating a TD.  Viera’s defense did not have a good night but neither did the other teams.

* Southlake and St Cloud performed admirably.  Both had good QB’s.  I thought Southlake has a physically good looking club.  St Cloud’s TE Owen Sullivan had a big night.

* It’s entertaining to watch Southlake’s Head Coach Brad Lord march up and down the Eagles sideline barking orders, encouragements and tongue lashings 

* At THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP the following night, Mainland showed they had the superior overall team to Coconut Creek but this was a close one until the 4th quarter.  It looks to me that Coconut Creek has a more talented team than last year.  Mainland has a really good group of receivers, a pretty good QB and a well built RB #3.  Not much defense in this game.

* Again, McArthur and ADR were no shows.  Very disappointing.

* The 2ND ANNUAL BATTLE AT BRYANT.  Buchholz, Port Charlotte and the Dreadnaughts  played Friday night.  

* I had seen Buchholz’s QB, Andrew Whittemore, play in their spring game last year.  He looked very promising then.  What I saw Friday night is he is progressing nicely.  I will say this.  Whittemore is right handed.  He likes to roll out it is to his right. I would never let him do that.  Buchholz’s defense was their strength last season.  It looked like it should be similar this year.  Because of Whittemore’s play this should be an improved season for them. 

* Lakeland looked to be the same at this point as they were last year.  I’m sure the coaches will figure it out but I think their talent level is decreasing each year.  That being said they will probably find a way to go deep into the playoffs.

* Port Charlotte will be a very good team but their Achilles Heal may be their secondary.   Apparently they didn’t get the memo that form tackling is making a comeback.  Grabbing ball carriers by the shoulder pads to try to throw them down or going for kill shots at the expense of not making tackles are no longer in vogue.  The  corners were burnt toast before the night was over.  Sorry for the harshness but the Pirates have a chance to make another good run but that was a glaring weakness.  I sat with Port Charlotte’s QB Logan Flaherty’s parents for some of the night.  A Rutgers coach and a FSU coach were there.  He announces his commitment Tuesday afternoon with top Port Charlotte’s receiver, Elias Pearl.  Unfortunately Pearl is injured and did not play.

* Saturday was Jesuit, Evans and Clearwater Central Catholic.  

* Jesuit looks very young.  They alternated QB’s every series.  They faced Evans first and quite frankly did not perform to what you would expect of a Jesuit team.  The Tiger’s superstar LB, Kayden Henderson, did not play due to illness.  Jesuit played somewhat better against CCC.  I’m sure the coaching staff will make positive strides with this team.  They could use an upgrade in skill players.

* Evans looks to be on the same level as last year except for one thing.  His name is William Jackson.  He is a 6’4.5 200 lb. QB transfer from Camden County, GA.(could be wrong about that but according to my research this is what I came up with).  Jackson was the most dynamic player I saw this week.  He would be my MVP.   Evans will be one to watch again this year.  They might want to find a field goal kicker.

* Look for some good things from CCC this year.  They handled Jesuit fairly easily.  Their game against Evans had some funky personnel combinations by both teams.  It was competitive but winning was not a priority and that was fine.  If I had to guess I think CCC has had a good influx of talent this year.  Senior QB Khayse Barrett will be hard to stop.  Before the game began Evans fans thought he looked like a powerful RB.   They were surprised to see he was QB.  One last thing about CCC.  WR #11 Malik Newton made the most athletic play of the week with about a 50+ yard catch and run that only a top athlete would make.  Newton and CCC, where have I heard that before?

Looking forward to week 2 of Spring Tour 2026.  Good thing my wife has a job.

[nolebull813]

I read that Southlake had 10 football transfers that didn’t get to play in the spring game.
 

And also, I think that Evan’s quarterback from Camden County is actually from Central Florida and he moved back. I could be wrong, but I believe that’s what I read.

[Perspective]

44 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

I read that Southlake had 10 football transfers that didn’t get to play in the spring game.
 

And also, I think that Evan’s quarterback from Camden County is actually from Central Florida and he moved back. I could be wrong, but I believe that’s what I read.

I know that technically speaking, the FHSAA considers spring football to be an extension of the fall season (like that makes a whole lot of sense).  The obvious proviso is that seniors do not get to participate.   That said, I've never really understood the rationale behind making transfers sit out the spring game.   In this new Wild, Wild West of transfers and NIL, if a kid has transferred into a new school, why shouldn't they get to play in the spring game?   They get to practice in the spring, right? So why not let them play in the spring game?  

Seriously, this is more of a question than an argument.   I just don't understand the reasoning behind making the kids sit out the spring game.  

[MarkECannon]

4 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

I read that Southlake had 10 football transfers that didn’t get to play in the spring game.
 

And also, I think that Evan’s quarterback from Camden County is actually from Central Florida and he moved back. I could be wrong, but I believe that’s what I read.

He is listed on 247 that he is from Lake Minneola.

[nolebull813]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

I know that technically speaking, the FHSAA considers spring football to be an extension of the fall season (like that makes a whole lot of sense).  The obvious proviso is that seniors do not get to participate.   That said, I've never really understood the rationale behind making transfers sit out the spring game.   In this new Wild, Wild West of transfers and NIL, if a kid has transferred into a new school, why shouldn't they get to play in the spring game?   They get to practice in the spring, right? So why not let them play in the spring game?  

Seriously, this is more of a question than an argument.   I just don't understand the reasoning behind making the kids sit out the spring game.  

The way it was worded is it is a county rule. Not sure if everyone adheres to the same standard 

[JDHoss]

Great breakdown Mark. Good to see you again. Agree on Mainland they had several WR with sticky fingers who were electric after the catch. The RB (#3) is apparently Tamaj Woodard, who was listed at 6'1 200 last year. He's a load. On Friday, Judy and I went to Melbourne to watch Fort Pierce Westwood v Melbourne. Melbourne was solid up front, had a RB with a good burst and some shimmy, and some WR. They dominated the game, racing out to a 28-0 lead. It was 42-0 at the end of three, so we cut out.

 

Melbourne will probably be a playoff team again, but unless Westwood can work some portal magic this summer, they are going to struggle. They were out talented and outplayed in every phase of the game. Their lone bright spot came on a great play that was bizarrely blown dead. WW stopped Melbourne at the 1 as time expired at the end of the half but a personal foul gave them another play and they put 1 second back on the clock. Melbourne tried to throw a slant, but the safety jumped the route, made a clean pick and was off to the races for a 100+ yard pick six, until they blew it dead when he was up around the 30. The WW staff was livid. I have no idea what the explanation from the official was, but it didn't go over well. I though that being a scrimmage, maybe they didn't want returns on turnovers, like they don't have kick returns. Then, in the 3rd quarter, a Melbourne player scored on a 50 yard scoop and score on a fumble, so who knows. The WW staff wasn't happy about that one either. The pick six that was blown dead wasn't going to affect the outcome, but a play like that is a dream for a defensive back. I hate that he didn't get to finish it. 

Mark and I are going to see South Dade at Piper tomorrow. I've never been to Piper, so I'm looking forward to that. 

[Jambun82]

13 hours ago, JDHoss said:

Great breakdown Mark. Good to see you again. Agree on Mainland they had several WR with sticky fingers who were electric after the catch. The RB (#3) is apparently Tamaj Woodard, who was listed at 6'1 200 last year. He's a load. On Friday, Judy and I went to Melbourne to watch Fort Pierce Westwood v Melbourne. Melbourne was solid up front, had a RB with a good burst and some shimmy, and some WR. They dominated the game, racing out to a 28-0 lead. It was 42-0 at the end of three, so we cut out.

 

Melbourne will probably be a playoff team again, but unless Westwood can work some portal magic this summer, they are going to struggle. They were out talented and outplayed in every phase of the game. Their lone bright spot came on a great play that was bizarrely blown dead. WW stopped Melbourne at the 1 as time expired at the end of the half but a personal foul gave them another play and they put 1 second back on the clock. Melbourne tried to throw a slant, but the safety jumped the route, made a clean pick and was off to the races for a 100+ yard pick six, until they blew it dead when he was up around the 30. The WW staff was livid. I have no idea what the explanation from the official was, but it didn't go over well. I though that being a scrimmage, maybe they didn't want returns on turnovers, like they don't have kick returns. Then, in the 3rd quarter, a Melbourne player scored on a 50 yard scoop and score on a fumble, so who knows. The WW staff wasn't happy about that one either. The pick six that was blown dead wasn't going to affect the outcome, but a play like that is a dream for a defensive back. I hate that he didn't get to finish it. 

Mark and I are going to see South Dade at Piper tomorrow. I've never been to Piper, so I'm looking forward to that. 

Do you think that an inadvertent whistle was blown during the play when the Westwood defender was running with the football in the open field?  

[KeemD321]

On 5/18/2026 at 10:36 PM, JDHoss said:

Great breakdown Mark. Good to see you again. Agree on Mainland they had several WR with sticky fingers who were electric after the catch. The RB (#3) is apparently Tamaj Woodard, who was listed at 6'1 200 last year. He's a load. On Friday, Judy and I went to Melbourne to watch Fort Pierce Westwood v Melbourne. Melbourne was solid up front, had a RB with a good burst and some shimmy, and some WR. They dominated the game, racing out to a 28-0 lead. It was 42-0 at the end of three, so we cut out.

 

Melbourne will probably be a playoff team again, but unless Westwood can work some portal magic this summer, they are going to struggle. They were out talented and outplayed in every phase of the game. Their lone bright spot came on a great play that was bizarrely blown dead. WW stopped Melbourne at the 1 as time expired at the end of the half but a personal foul gave them another play and they put 1 second back on the clock. Melbourne tried to throw a slant, but the safety jumped the route, made a clean pick and was off to the races for a 100+ yard pick six, until they blew it dead when he was up around the 30. The WW staff was livid. I have no idea what the explanation from the official was, but it didn't go over well. I though that being a scrimmage, maybe they didn't want returns on turnovers, like they don't have kick returns. Then, in the 3rd quarter, a Melbourne player scored on a 50 yard scoop and score on a fumble, so who knows. The WW staff wasn't happy about that one either. The pick six that was blown dead wasn't going to affect the outcome, but a play like that is a dream for a defensive back. I hate that he didn't get to finish it. 

Mark and I are going to see South Dade at Piper tomorrow. I've never been to Piper, so I'm looking forward to that. 

Crazy thing about Melbourne is that they are young. Their squad was full of freshmen and sophomores last season and a decent number of juniors.  Majority of their skill players are underclassmen including the QB and that RB

[JDHoss]

On 5/19/2026 at 12:00 PM, Jambun82 said:

Do you think that an inadvertent whistle was blown during the play when the Westwood defender was running with the football in the open field?  

It's possible, but it didn't seem inadvertent. I'll probably find out next week when I get my hair cut. One of the barbers there is a volunteer assistant at Westwood. I'll ask him what the explanation was. 

[Jambun82]

5 hours ago, JDHoss said:

It's possible, but it didn't seem inadvertent. I'll probably find out next week when I get my hair cut. One of the barbers there is a volunteer assistant at Westwood. I'll ask him what the explanation was. 

Do you know what day and time that you are going to get your "ears lowered" yet? Does the barber specialize in a specific style of haircut? 

[MarkECannon]

1 hour ago, Jambun82 said:

Do you know what day and time that you are going to get your "ears lowered" yet? Does the barber specialize in a specific style of haircut? 

Hey Jambun,

Since we started speaking about haircuts I am doing something special for July 4th 250 birthday.  I’ve been growing a mullet.  I plan to die the mullet red, white and blue.  I’m going to have a political message on both sides of my head which I'm sure you would approve of.  Football (The word Football was added so Nolebull won’t have to start a new thread).

[JDHoss]

1 hour ago, Jambun82 said:

Do you know what day and time that you are going to get your "ears lowered" yet? Does the barber specialize in a specific style of haircut? 

No idea yet. I'll have to see what all I have going on besides a cardiologist visit next week before I book an appointment. I'd guess that these guys and do just about any type of cut. It's a cool place.

https://www.legitcutsbarbershop.com/

[Jambun82]

11 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

Hey Jambun,

Since we started speaking about haircuts I am doing something special for July 4th 250 birthday.  I’ve been growing a mullet.  I plan to die the mullet red, white and blue.  I’m going to have a political message on both sides of my head which I'm sure you would approve of.  Football (The word Football was added so Nolebull won’t have to start a new thread).

A Political Message that I approve of? I don't like mullets, but I LOVE the Red, White, and Blue, and July 4th, 2026 will be a very special and important day! Yes, FOOTBALL! 

[Jambun82]

11 hours ago, JDHoss said:

No idea yet. I'll have to see what all I have going on besides a cardiologist visit next week before I book an appointment. I'd guess that these guys and do just about any type of cut. It's a cool place.

https://www.legitcutsbarbershop.com/

Book an appointment? Most real manly barber shops that I know of, there are no appointments. You just walk in, and wait your turn! Please tell me that they don't wet your hair down before the haircut, and is there a red and white stripped pole near the front door? I hope that things go well with the cardiologist. 

[JDHoss]

8 hours ago, Jambun82 said:

Book an appointment? Most real manly barber shops that I know of, there are no appointments. You just walk in, and wait your turn! Please tell me that they don't wet your hair down before the haircut, and is there a red and white stripped pole near the front door? I hope that things go well with the cardiologist. 

They take walk-ins, and I don't ever recall them wetting my hair. 

[nolebull813]

23 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

Hey Jambun,

Since we started speaking about haircuts I am doing something special for July 4th 250 birthday.  I’ve been growing a mullet.  I plan to die the mullet red, white and blue.  I’m going to have a political message on both sides of my head which I'm sure you would approve of.  Football (The word Football was added so Nolebull won’t have to start a new thread).

Thank you for your consideration. I have countless of “new threads” in the saved draft just begging to get called up to the page 1 majors!!!!!!

[Jambun82]

5 hours ago, JDHoss said:

They take walk-ins, and I don't ever recall them wetting my hair. 

That sounds like a REAL barber shop! 

[HSfootballguy]

On 5/18/2026 at 5:55 PM, Perspective said:

I know that technically speaking, the FHSAA considers spring football to be an extension of the fall season (like that makes a whole lot of sense).  The obvious proviso is that seniors do not get to participate.   That said, I've never really understood the rationale behind making transfers sit out the spring game.   In this new Wild, Wild West of transfers and NIL, if a kid has transferred into a new school, why shouldn't they get to play in the spring game?   They get to practice in the spring, right? So why not let them play in the spring game?  

Seriously, this is more of a question than an argument.   I just don't understand the reasoning behind making the kids sit out the spring game.  

Many teams in Broward don't have spring games because of that rule a lot of years. St. Thomas, Dillard, Deerfield, Monarch etc. It obviously changes some years as to who is getting the transfers.  

Also, many of the lower teams have stopped having spring games because their kids get transfer if they lose the spring game or don't get enough stats. Kids don't really understand the purpose of a spring game.  

Broward warns the coaches not to play the kids, but some teams sneak them in anyway. Hard to keep track of with so many transfers and 40 schools in a county.  I believe the rule is more to keep kids at their school through the end of the school year though. Some will wait until summer if they know they can't play in it and the hope is the original school can do enough to keep them.

[MarkECannon]

Since you mentioned Broward let me tell you about my experience today.  Ft Lauderdale, Hialeah Miami-Lakes and South Miami were playing a spring jamboree Thursday at 3:30pm.  Gofan was selling tickets and listed the game location at Hialeah Miami-Lakes with the address of the school.  I drove down from Boca Raton to the school but no jamboree .  I ask AI where do they play their home games which is Ted Hendricks Stadium.  i drive to Ted Hendricks but no jamboree. I decided to drive to Ft Lauderdale High since it was somewhat on the way.  Still no jamboree.  I asked AI where does Ft Lauderdale play their home games.  They play at Lockhart Stadium.  It didn’t make sense to drive there at this point, so I drove home.

And yes, I had already purchased a ticket.