Week 2 Preview: Merritt Island-Melbourne football leads crowded slate

Week 1 of the 2026 high school football season featured just about everything with high scoring games, standout performances and contests decided by one possession.

On Aug. 28, all football teams return to the field as it features four all-Brevard matchups with Bayside-Palm Bay, Eau Gallie-Heritage, Titusville-Holy Trinity and Merritt Island-Melbourne.

Eleven teams will look to remain unblemished in the loss column.

Here is a breakdown of the Week 2 games:

FHSAA

Merritt Island (1-0) at Melbourne (1-0), 7 p.m.

Merritt Island and Melbourne is the premier game in Week 2 after both teams secured impressive road wins.

The Mustangs defeated Cocoa 44-19 behind five rushing touchdowns from three runners. The Bulldogs took down Heritage 35-10 behind 314 rushing yards and four touchdowns from sophomore Tyrese Jefferson.

While a high-scoring game is expected, both defenses will look to have a say. Merritt Island prevented Cocoa from scoring an offensive touchdown for the final three quarters. Melbourne recorded two takeaways, three sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Merritt Island doubled up Melbourne in a 42-21 win last year. The Bulldogs will look to avenge that defeat in their home opener.

Titusville (1-0) at Holy Trinity (1-0), 7 p.m.

Both teams were victorious at home. The Terriers defeated Oviedo 24-22 on a game-winning field goal as time expired. Holy Trinity shut out Bayside in the second half for a 20-7 win.

The Terriers' offense will look to build off its strong performance after totaling 444 yards. Senior Elijah Harvey paced the team with 101 receiving yards, 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Holy Trinity, in its first season in the new FHSAA Independent Division, faces its first FHSAA opponent in 2026. Sophomore Jacorey Mills led the team with nine tackles. Freshman Jadiel Corbin recorded eight tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack. Junior Aaron Raines recovered two fumbles, forcing one.

Last year, Titusville emerged with a 27-22 win over Holy Trinity. Both teams will look to achieve a 2-0 start for the first time since 2023.

Eau Gallie (0-1) at Heritage (0-1), 7 p.m.

Both teams are looking to bounce back from big defeats in Week 1.

Eau Gallie looks to rebound after a 41-7 defeat at Carrollwood Day that saw the Commodores turn the ball over six times and allow 449 total yards of offense. Heritage lost to Melbourne after struggling to bottle up Jefferson in the running game.

Eau Gallie will look to see a more consistent offensive performance after 83 rushing yards and 159 passing yards from quarterback Joseph Allen. Zay Hawkins scored the lone Eau Gallie touchdown and ended the night with five receptions for 90 yards.

Heritage ran for 188 yards as a team against Melbourne, led by senior Izael Johnson’s 63 yards and one touchdown. In his Heritage debut, Christian Ryder Borhi completed 4-of-13 passes for 85 yards and one interception.

Eau Gallie defeated Heritage 16-12 in last year’s meeting.

Bayside (1-1, SSAA) at Palm Bay (1-0), 7 p.m.

Bayside and Palm Bay square off in a crosstown matchup. The Bears are coming off a 20-7 loss to Holy Trinity while Palm Bay dominated Nova Lakes 41-7 on the road in Nova Lakes’ first-ever football game.

The Pirates racked up 222 rushing yards in the Week 1 win. Junior Carson Nance gained 88 yards and one touchdown. Junior Lamarion Parker finished second on the team with 73 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run. Junior quarterback Mik Zades threw for 83 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown completion to junior Aiden Davis.

Defensively, senior Gabriel Smith recorded an 80-yard pick six. Senior Demetrius Andrews also intercepted a pass.

Bayside faces an FHSAA opponent for the second straight week after a narrow defeat to Holy Trinity. The Bears will look to defeat Palm Bay for the first time since 2020 after losing 13-0 last year.

Astronaut (1-0) at New Smyrna Beach (0-0), 7 p.m.

After a 43-39 win over Tohopekaliga, Astronaut hits the road against New Smyrna Beach in its first game of the season.

The War Eagles got touchdowns from seniors Jaquan Hagans and Riley Florence and sophomores King Rainey and Jayden Brown.

New Smyrna Beach had its Week 1 game versus Hagerty postponed after weather suspended the game in the second quarter with the Barracudas leading 7-6.

Benjamin at Melbourne Central Catholic (1-0), 7 p.m.

The Hustlers are seeking another impressive win against a 2025 Class 1A state playoff team in Benjamin.

MCC took down Victory Christian Academy 44-12 on an electric passing game by sophomore quarterback Trenton Washington. He completed 23-of-29 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Colton Brown and senior Grady Bonenberger hit the century mark receiving with two touchdowns each.

Junior Will Warren’s 16 tackles were the most on the Hustlers, followed by senior Ty Goetsch and sophomore Paul Ostrander’s 12 tackles each. Senior Isaiah Crockett intercepted two passes.

Benjamin also scored 44 points in a blowout win downing Jupiter Christian 44-7. MCC seeks a 2-0 start for the third time in four years.

Viera (1-0) at Sebastian River (0-1), 7 p.m.

Viera retained the Backyard Brawl trophy after a tight 25-20 win at Rockledge in Week 1.

Hawks senior Duke Butler rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns to lead the offense. Sophomore quarterback Jaamal Crittington threw for 89 yards and touchdown passes to junior Jim Love and senior Slade Pulliam for 42 and 24 yards, respectively.

Viera senior Paul Hanna totaled 10 tackles and two tackles for loss to lead the defense. Sophomore Vittorio Pickett posted eight tackles. Seniors Dimitri Jean and Jaycob Klein broke up two passes each.

The Hawks face a Sebastian River team coming off a 22-0 defeat at University. Sebastian River forced three takeaways with two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Viera seeks a 2-0 start for the second time in three seasons.

Fort Pierce Central (1-0) at Cocoa (0-1), 7 p.m.

Cocoa seeks to build off the positives from its Week 1 loss to Merritt Island against Class 6A Fort Pierce Central.

Tigers sophomore quarterback Kadin Claflin-Coy threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 38 yards. Senior Tank White and junior Anthony Whaley caught one touchdown pass each.

Defensively, senior Mycul Glover recovered a fumble and senior Kyree Brooks recorded a 51-yard scoop and score.

It’ll be another tough early-season test for Cocoa against Fort Pierce Central, who’s coming off a 49-0 win over Legacy. Cobras senior Drew LaPlante threw for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns and the team rushed for 138 yards.

Spruce Creek (1-0) at Rockledge (0-1), 7 p.m.

Rockledge looks to build off the positives from its narrow home defeat to Viera. Raiders sophomore Matthew Ford paced the offense with multiple touchdown receptions.

Spruce Creek is coming off a 14-10 win over Erie leaning on its running game. Hawks junior Dontez Culley posted 213 yards on 13 carries. On 10 carries, senior Keenan Nephew recorded 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Rockledge will once again face a team multiple classes above them. After playing Class 5A Viera, it’ll look to win its first game of the season against Class 6A Spruce Creek.

SSAA

Satellite (2-0) at Legacy Charter (0-2), 7 p.m.

Satellite looks to remain unbeaten after a dominant 52-0 win over Halifax Academy. It faces a Legacy Charter team searching for its first win after getting outscored 115-0 in the first two games of the season.

Space Coast (1-1) at Okeechobee (2-0), 7 p.m.

The Vipers got back on track in Week 2 with a 43-7 blowout win over Umatilla. They finished with 315 total yards of offense as junior quarterback Zion Sandy threw for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman tailback Charlie Williams rushed for two touchdowns and seniors Kaleb Klingenberg and Kadyn Thomas caught a touchdown pass.

Space Coast sophomore Chase Santiago recorded 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Senior Gavin Holland and sophomore Ryland Travis picked off one pass.

Okeechobee is undefeated after blowout wins over Glades Day 42-15 and Suncoast 44-0. Freshman Elijah Gordon led the team in rushing in Week 2 with 117 yards.

SSAA 8-man

Calvary Chapel (2-0) at Eastland Christian (0-0), 5 p.m.

Calvary Chapel puts its 2-0 record on the line at Eastland Christian after posting a 40-0 win at Geneva Classical Academy.

The Eagles' defense limited the Knights to 136 total yards of offense and forced three turnovers.

This will mark the first game of the season for Eastland Christian. Calvary Chapel seeks its first 3-0 start in school history and match last year’s win total.

Merritt Island Christian (2-0) at Bell Creek Academy (0-1), 7 p.m.

Merritt Island Christian returns to the field after an unplanned bye week following the forfeited game by Saint Francis Catholic Academy.

Bell Creek lost its only game to Sports Leadership & Management 57-12 on Aug. 14. Panthers senior quarterback Grady Smith threw for 175 yards and one touchdown. Senior Gio Vanella rushed for 92 yards and one touchdown.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Week 2 Preview: Merritt Island-Melbourne football leads crowded slate