No. 63 Edgewater 2026 Football Preview, Schedule and Prediction | Top 25 Public HSFB
Series
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 63 Edgewater
The Eagles replace their quarterback and leading rusher but return proven receivers and added multiple impact transfers.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/15/20265 min read
Edgewater enters 2026 after a 12-1 season in Patrick Browning’s first year as head coach. The Eagles scored 500 points, allowed 99 and reached the FHSAA Class 5A quarterfinals before losing 27-14 to Lakeland.
Quarterback Carter Emanuel and 1,300-yard rusher Damian Moore graduated, and Edgewater must also replace most of its top pass-rush production. The Eagles return their leading receiver, a committed Division I offensive lineman and a group of transfers that made an immediate impact during the spring.
Team Snapshot
2025 record: 12-1
2025 district record: 2-0
2025 result: FHSAA Class 5A quarterfinalist
2026 classification: Class 6A, District 6
Head coach: Patrick Browning
2025 scoring: 500 points scored, 99 allowed
2026 Outlook
The quarterback competition was between junior transfers Cruz James and Joe Aicher, however unfortunately in the kickoff classic last night (8/14) Joe Aicher had a serious injury, we are thinking about, and praying for a speedy recovery. James completed 5 of 8 passes and connected on a 50-yard gain in Edgewater’s 35-7 spring win over Seminole.
Senior wide receiver Cole Emanuel led Edgewater with 57 catches for 709 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Alexander Rossi averaged 32.3 receiving yards per game and caught four touchdowns, while senior Malik Johnson scored five total touchdowns and can line up at running back or receiver.
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The backfield added sophomore Jahmari Hammonds, a transfer from Central Florida Christian Academy. Hammonds produced five consecutive games with at least 140 rushing yards as a freshman and scored on runs of 15 and 40 yards in the spring game. Sophomore Bryce Jackson, who averaged 30 rushing yards per game in limited work last season, gives Edgewater another option.
Junior safety Octavius Lewis is the leading returning defensive playmaker. He recorded three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 4.9 tackles per game as a sophomore, including a pick-six against Apopka. The Eagles must replace the three players who led the 2025 pass rush, making the development of the front seven the biggest defensive issue.
Senior offensive lineman Sincere Wilkerson gives the offense a 6-foot-5, 335-pound anchor. Wilkerson is committed to Coastal Carolina. Edgewater also returns experience in Durell Mitchell, Caden Epps, Gunner Voorheis and Kamar Sterling.
Players to Know
Jahmari Hammonds | RB | Sophomore
Hammonds holds offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State and Colorado. He scored twice in Edgewater’s spring win after transferring from Central Florida Christian Academy.
Sincere Wilkerson | OL | Senior
Wilkerson is committed to Coastal Carolina. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound lineman gives Edgewater a returning anchor up front.
Cole Emanuel | WR | Senior
Emanuel holds offers from Arizona, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Liberty, Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Dakota and Texas State. He led Edgewater with 57 catches, 709 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2025.
Octavius Lewis | S/ATH | Junior
Lewis holds offers from Florida Atlantic, Massachusetts, Missouri State, Duquesne and Bethune-Cookman. He returns after producing three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 4.9 tackles per game.
Schedule Breakdown
Edgewater opens at Ocoee before hosting The First Academy and Windermere. Road games at Lake Nona and Jones follow, giving the new quarterbacks an early test against two of Central Florida’s top public-school programs.
The District 6 schedule includes West Orange, Olympia and Dr. Phillips. Edgewater also travels to Evans and closes the regular season against Boone.
The games against The First Academy, Jones, West Orange and Dr. Phillips are the main checkpoints. Edgewater beat Jones 20-17 last season and held Dr. Phillips to six points, but the offense now has to repeat those results without Emanuel and Moore.
Complete 2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 - at Ocoee
Aug. 28 - vs. The First Academy
Sept. 4 - vs. Windermere
Sept. 10 - at Lake Nona
Sept. 18 - at #80 Jones
Sept. 25 - vs. West Orange
Oct. 9 - vs. Olympia
Oct. 16 - at Evans
Oct. 23 - at Dr. Phillips
Oct. 30 - vs. Boone
Biggest Question
Can Edgewater replace its starting quarterback, leading rusher and top pass rushers without a major drop on either side of the ball? The receiving group and new backfield talent give the offense answers, but the quarterback and defensive line must be ready early.
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T25PS Prediction
I expect Edgewater to finish the regular season 9-1 and reach the Class 6A quarterfinals. The Eagles have enough returning skill talent and young recruits to stay among Central Florida’s best teams, but replacing the quarterback and the defensive front lowers the margin for error in the biggest games.
Bottom Line
Edgewater’s 12-1 record was supported by a defense that allowed 99 points and an offense that scored 500. The 2026 team cannot rely on the same personnel, but Emanuel, Wilkerson, Lewis and the new quarterback and running back options keep the ceiling high. The season will be decided by how quickly the new quarterbacks and pass rush become consistent.
