Week 1 Roundup: "The Champ Monds Show" dazzles, Vero Beach blanks Jensen Beach

VERO BEACH — Fans in the stands had to wait a while to catch this regular season’s first episode of “The Champ Monds Show.” 

But as has been the case through the prior two seasons, the Vero Beach quarterback made it a must-see experience.

The four-star Notre Dame commit accounted for five total touchdowns while his defense played a supporting role during the Vero’s 34-0 season-opening shutout over Jensen Beach on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 from the Billy Living Field at the Citrus Bowl.

On Senior Night, the senior quarterback posted three touchdown passes to three different receivers while rushing in two more scores. 

“Obviously, our quarterback had another great night,” Vero Beach head coach Lenny Jankowski said.

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The game started 75 minutes after its scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff due to a lengthy lightning delay. It was later called with 10 minutes, 45 seconds remaining in regulation after lightning reappeared around 10:30 p.m.  

The home side did not produce a first down through its first three possessions. However, the third series did result in the game’s first points. Facing a second-and-10, Monds hit Marcus Melbourne in stride on a slant pattern, with the senior wide receiver splitting through the Falcons secondary for a 72-yard touchdown reception. 

Monds spread the love as the night wore on before pulling down the ball when opportunity presented itself. 

He connected with junior Micah Roberts and senior Marc Jones for 14-yard scoring passes on the following two possessions. The quarterback then capped an eight-play 88-yard drive with a 2-yard rush, putting Vero Beach up 27-0 with four seconds left before halftime. After Vero’s defense forced a turnover on downs to open the third quarter, Monds ended his night with a 13-yard scamper into the end zone.

“Monds was coming in cool. I’ve known his family for a long time, so we knew what to expect from him,” Jensen Beach head coach Tim Caffey said.

Monds finished the night 12-for-14 passing for 195 yards and added four carries for 25 yards. He completed passes to six different receivers, which according to Jankowski is partially by design and partially a product of the quarterback’s decision making.

“Really and truly we have five eligible receivers on each and every play, and Champ has a good understanding of what we’re trying to do on offense and where defenses are vulnerable,” Jankowski said. “Nobody wants to run a play through the teeth of the defense. So we’re trying to capitalize where they may be vulnerable and he’s the right guy to do it.”

Johns was Monds’ favorite target. The St. Lucie West Centennial transfer had four receptions for 77 yards. 

This story will be updated.

Fort Pierce Central 49, Legacy 0 

South Fork 45, Port St. Lucie 0

John Carroll Catholic 17, Bishop Verot 0 

Okeechobee 44, Suncoast 0

Lake Highland Prep 20, St. Edward’s 14

The Master’s Academy (Oviedo) 38, Master’s Academy 22

Faith Christian at Tradition Prep (PPD)

Sebastian River at University (PPD)

Palm Beach Gardens at Fort Pierce Westwood (PPD)

What a difference a week can make.

After allowing 54 points in a Kickoff Classic defeat to John Carroll Catholic, the Eagles nearly matched that total when they throttled the Trojans on the road. 

“We watched the film and saw all the mistakes that we made. We just tried to clean it up and correct that,” Centennial head coach Alfred Yates said. “It was just getting back to the basics and getting them sharp on the plays that we’ve been going through all week.”

According to Yates, the visitors controlled the line of scrimmage. On offense, linemen were aggressive to their blocks while the team’s collection of running backs gashed through the Lake Worth front. The Eagles rallied to the ball on defense after struggling to complete tackles against the Rams last week.

Aalijah Thomas scored twice on the ground while Malik Jefferson, Marquez Lighthouse and Keslor Fanescar each added a rushing touchdown. Elsewhere, Daiquiri Boswell tossed two scores and Reilly Viau had a punt return touchdown. 

Centennial led 27-6 at the half and added 13 points in each of the third and fourth quarters to secure Yates’ first win as head coach.

“It feels good getting it out of the way so we can just focus on the next game,” he said. “I’ll sit back and reflect on it later, but I’m already looking forward to game planning for the next game.”

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 pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Week 1 Roundup: "The Champ Monds Show" dazzles, Vero Beach blanks Jensen Beach

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