The Vero Beach High School football program is preparing for a historic showdown under the Friday night lights. On Friday, September 4, Billy Livings Field at the Citrus Bowl will host its first out-of-state opponent in at least two decades as the Fighting Indians take on Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy.
The highly anticipated matchup brings a nationally ranked powerhouse to Indian River County, testing Vero Beach’s undefeated start against a roster loaded with top-tier Division I collegiate recruits. The game will also gain national exposure, broadcast live on the Amazon Prime Network via FloSports.
A Scheduling Surprise Leads to a Historic Matchup
The road to this monumental game began with an unexpected cancellation. Vero Beach was originally slated to travel to Cocoa High for a Week 3 matchup. When Cocoa canceled, Vero Beach Head Coach Lenny Jankowski was left scrambling for a replacement.
Through Gridiron Preps, which facilitates out-of-state high school matchups, an opportunity arose to host St. Frances Academy. The Maryland-based team, currently ranked second in the nation by MaxPreps behind only Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, was already willing to travel after opening their season in the Sunshine State with a 49-35 victory over DeLand.
This marks the first time in Coach Jankowski’s 16-year tenure—and the first time since at least 2004—that a non-Florida team will play at the Citrus Bowl. Vero Beach’s only other recent out-of-state venture occurred in 2017, resulting in a 28-21 road victory against Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Scouting the Opposition
St. Frances Academy operates as a football powerhouse similar to Florida’s IMG Academy. Because of their dominant history—boasting an 83-15 record since 2016—they frequently travel nationally to fill their schedule.
The Panthers bring a daunting roster to Vero Beach, featuring upwards of 40 Division I recruits and a long history of placing alumni in the NFL. Key playmakers to watch include:
- Zion Elee: 5-star edge rusher.
- Anthony Sweeney: 5-star edge rusher committed to Texas Tech.
- Justin Merriman: Sophomore quarterback and son of former NFL player Shawne Merriman.
- Raylaun Henry: 4-star defensive back committed to Texas A&M.
- Brandon Jefferson and Samir Edwards: 4-star wide receivers.
Vero Beach’s Path to Victory
Despite the formidable opponent, Vero Beach enters the contest with strong momentum and a highly productive offense. Quarterback Champ Monds IV, a Notre Dame commit, has been a dual-threat sensation. Over the first two games, Monds has accounted for 11 total touchdowns, completing 33 of 40 passes for 591 yards while adding 70 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the team will rely heavily on players like linebacker Deion Jackson, who fits nicely into the middle of the Vero defense after transferring from Legacy High School. Jackson, one of the team’s leading tacklers, secured his first interception in a Vero Beach uniform last week off a tipped pass against Atlantic High.
According to Coach Jankowski, overcoming a national giant requires flawless execution in the fundamentals. He outlined the keys to keeping the game competitive:
- Winning the Turnover Battle: An area where Vero Beach currently excels, boasting four takeaways against just one turnover this season.
- Limiting Explosive Plays: Keeping the high-powered Panthers offense in check.
- Special Teams Perfection: Playing flawlessly and potentially creating game-changing moments.
- Fundamental execution: Tackling and blocking efficiently against a larger, highly recruited defensive front.
As Indian River County fans prepare to pack the stands this Labor Day weekend, the atmosphere at the Citrus Bowl promises to be electric. For the players and the community alike, it is a rare opportunity to showcase Vero Beach football on a national stage.
