Northeast Florida Boys Soccer Kicks Off Monday: Beachside Defends Its Title, Mandarin Chases a Return to the Final
The FHSAA boys soccer season opens Nov. 2 across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, with state champion Beachside rebuilding around its back line, state runner-up Mandarin looking for its next star, and Fletcher at Wolfson at 7:20 p.m. Monday headlining the first week.
The Florida High School Athletic Association kicks off the 2026-27 boys soccer season on Monday, Nov. 2, across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, the Florida Times-Union reported in its season preview, opened by the desk this run. Beachside won it all a year ago; the question the preview poses is which teams could join the Barracudas in February 2027.
Beachside, winner of a historic state championship a year ago, must replace much of its firepower, including top scorer Davi Martins, so the back line will be crucial: it returns goalkeeper Brian Garland, a star in the FHSAA final, central defensive anchor Ashton Fleming and fullback Reed Howell, with Everett Grass, who netted seven goals as a sophomore, watched for a big year. Creekside is also a candidate for St. Johns County's best, built around Luke Amann (nine goals, eight assists), keeper Rhys Stewart (seven shutouts) and Javier Aponte (14 goals, 13 assists in two years). Episcopal, 22-1-3 last season and undefeated until the Class 2A final, brings back Rush Kirk (13 goals, seven assists as a sophomore).
Mandarin, Jacksonville's most consistent public school program and last season's state runner-up, looks for its next wave: Andres Chacon steps into an attacking midfield role, Luke McElroy is back after his rocket goal in the state final, and Cristian Hernandez and Artur DeBem are ready to represent the next group. Wolfson, which replaced Mandarin at the top of the Gateway Conference tournament last year, returns three-year starting goalkeeper Leo Bustamante, central defender Cade Renne and Kai Gehring, who moves up front after 20 goals and 16 assists in the last two seasons.
The season starts fast. Monday's early matchup to watch is Fletcher at Wolfson at 7:20 p.m., a rematch of last year's Gateway Conference championship; Bishop Kenny visits Bolles on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.; and on Nov. 10, Creekside visits Mandarin and champion Beachside visits Tocoi Creek, both at 7:20 p.m., the Times-Union's preview listed. District 2-6A groups Atlantic Coast, Beachside, Creekside, Mandarin, Sandalwood and Tocoi Creek together for the winter ahead.
