Week 1 of the 2026 high school football season in Southwest Florida saw several standout performances, including Riverdale's narrow victory over Estero and South Fort Myers' dominant shutout of Lehigh. Numerous players excelled, earning Game Balls for their contributions. Key highlights included a running back for the Raiders who tallied 188 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns, amidst other noteworthy achievements from quarterbacks and wide receivers.

By the Numbers
  • Riverdale's running back rushed for 188 yards and scored three total touchdowns in a 24-21 win over Estero.
  • South Fort Myers鈥� junior quarterback passed for 182 yards, three touchdowns, and rushed for another score in a 38-0 victory over Lehigh.
State of Play
  • Several teams started strong, with South Fort Myers and North Fort Myers both achieving shutouts.
  • High-scoring games were a trend, as demonstrated by Dunbar鈥檚 70-0 victory and Immokalee鈥檚 54-12 win.
What's Next

Looking ahead, teams will aim to build on their Week 1 performances, with players expected to continue improving and making significant impacts in upcoming games. Schools will also adjust strategies based on the outcomes from their initial matchups.

Bottom Line

The inaugural week of the season has set an exciting tone for high school football in Southwest Florida, highlighting star players and high-scoring showdowns. Fans can expect continued thrilling matchups as teams strive for victory and individual players seek recognition.