Football: After strong finish in 2025, Westwood faces new challenges in 2026

FORT PIERCE — LaDaris Vann was still in the midst of moving down from Georgia when the 2025 high school football season and the fall practice schedule officially got underway.

With a year under his belt, the second-year Fort Pierce Westwood head coach is happy to be settled. But Vann understands there is much more work that needs to be done now that the 2026 season has arrived.

“It’s just a day-to-day grind,” Vann said. “I got a whole year and summer to get these kids in the weight room, but just one summer isn’t good enough. We just have to continue the momentum, keep working and stay committed throughout the season.”

The program as a whole will look to carry momentum from a strong close to the 2025 season.

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The Panthers went 4-2 over their final six games, which included a pair of road victories during the newly created FIT Championships. They advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Dr. Joaquin Garcia and finishing with a 7-6 record.

A taste of postseason success can pay dividends for any program looking to make strides forward. But according to Vann, Westwood’s late run was more beneficial to the coaching staff than the returning players.

“It just shows our determination and grind after losing 12 or 13 starters prior to that season,” he said. “It showed how we can pick up all the chips and put them together.”

The 2026 campaign will require a similar effort, as Vann anticipates that possibly a dozen underclassmen will start on either offense or defense.

Gregory Merricks and Jabari Monds highlight the key departures from the 2025 squad. The pair of Super 11 selections have graduated and are each currently playing collegiately, with Merricks at Division II Edward Waters and Monds at Division I Eastern Michigan. The Panthers are also without Joseph Weathers Jr., who was a three-year starter at quarterback.

Elize Pierre has been tabbed as Weathers Jr.’s replacement. The sophomore is a transfer from Port St. Lucie High. Elsewhere, junior James Strowbridge will replicate some of Merricks’ production up front as an anchor on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Meanwhile, Vann raved most about Tyrell Jackson. The incoming freshman is an explosive athlete and will be a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. However, after watching him during offseason camps, the head coach is most impressed with Jackson’s work ethic.

“There’s nobody, not even some of our seniors, that is outworking that kid,” Vann said of Jackson. “That’s one of the hardest-working kids I know. When you’re talking about no days off, that’s what that kid brings.”

A trio of seniors are expected to be key contributors on a roster with limited senior experience.

Serving as the team’s top cornerback, Jakiem Ellison led all returners with 63 tackles a season ago. Malachi Francois is back in the fold following a breakout junior campaign in which he collected seven sacks, 55 total tackles (10 TFLs) and an interception.

Lastly, the Panthers will have the services of one of the area’s best wide receivers. Jermaine Walker is coming off a junior year that landed him a spot on TCPalm’s All-Area First Team. The FAU commit produced 44 receptions for a team-best 767 yards and six touchdowns while adding 300 yards and two scores on the ground.

“I want to be a team leader,” Walker said. “I want to show our other football players that it’s not hard if you put in the work. The work that you put in is what you’re going to get out.”

2026 schedule

8/14 - vs. Sebring, 7 p.m. (Kickoff Classic)

8/21 - vs. Palm Beach Gardens, 7 p.m.

8/28 - vs. St. Lucie West Centennial, 7 p.m.

9/3 - vs. Wellington, 6:30 p.m.

Bye week

9/18 - at Heritage, 7 p.m.

9/25 - at Legacy, 7 p.m. (at Lawnwood Stadium)

10/2 - at Treasure Coast, 7 p.m.

10/9 - at Port St. Lucie, 7 p.m.

10/16 - vs. Sebastian River, 7 p.m.

10/23 - at Jensen Beach, 7 p.m.

10/30 - vs. Fort Pierce Central, 7 p.m. (Showdown 47)

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Football: After strong finish in 2025, Westwood faces new challenges in 2026

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