In a commanding season opener on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the Bolles High School Bulldogs blanketed Monarch High School 34–15 during the Broward County Football Showcase. The Bulldogs’ performance was a masterclass in ground efficiency, precision passing, and opportunistic defense.
From the first snap, sophomore running back Xander Edwards stamped his authority on the game. He rushed just 12 times but ripped off 153 tough, deliberate yards and scored twice. Each carry seemed to break a tackle—especially his second touchdown, a powerful plunge that extended Bolles’ lead and showcased both his burst and bulldog determination.
Yet his 61-yard scamper was the icing on a cake that was baking in the oven just a week earlier at their kick off classic contest versus Creekside. Edwards is in for a big year.
Adding to the rushing onslaught, quarterback Jaden Weatherly wasn’t afraid to take off when lanes opened. He added 66 yards and two touchdowns on only seven carries—a dual-threat showing in his debut as a Bulldog. One of his scoring runs was a designed keeper that Weatherly executed to perfection, slicing in for a 21-yard score. Weatherly had a stellar start to what looks to be a stellar season for the Bartram Trail transfer.
While Bolles dominated with their legs, they also struck through the air when it counted. Wide receiver Naeem Burroughs made every catch memorable. Just three receptions, but he amassed a game-high 91 receiving yards, including a highlight-reel 58-yard touchdown that completely flipped would be tacklers out of their cleats. The Clemson commit showed why he is one of the to wide receivers in the country.
@duvalsports Wow Naeem Burroughs (@ClemsonFB commit) sends Monarch on a Jet 2 Holiday! An AMAZING 52-yard catch and run!! The pass form Jaden Weatherly Bolles 27, Monarch 9 Regular season kickoff!
♬ Jet2 Advert – ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧
Defensively, the Bulldogs put broad pressure on Monarch’s offense, forcing hurried throws, stalled drives, and turnovers. Monarch’s inability to contain the Bolles run game overwhelmed them on both sides of the line.
As the Bulldogs celebrate their 1–0 start, we got a glimpse into the 2025 edition of the Bulldogs. Ohio State commit 6’4, 225 pound Corbyn Fordham and 6’5, 240 pound 5-star defensive end Asher Ghioto started in a double Tight End set which completely pulverized the Monarch defensive front seven.
Monarch did muster some resistance, tallying 15 points. Florentino Lopez scored the game’s first points on a 3-yard run. They’d also tally a safety to go up 9-7 in the contest. But their scoring came on scattered drives and couldn’t keep pace with Bolles’ steady barrage.
By game’s end, Bolles had established its identity: a balanced offense that leaned into its strengths—power rushing and timely passing—backed by a stingy defense. Coach Matt Toblin should be proud of his team’s performance. Their first game, one that impressed onlookers with dominant line play, like by Miami commit J.J Sparks who bulldozed Monarch’s defensive tackle into the end-zone on a quarterback sneak.
Although the entire team executed fundamentals—blocking, tackling, finishing, it was Xander, Jaden, and Naeem who led the charge. Burroughs also tallied an interception in the game.
With Edwards rolling between the tackles, Weatherly thriving as a dual-threat, and Burroughs stretching the field, Bolles looks lethal—and balanced. Next week’s home opener should bring a feverish atmosphere and a confident squad ready to build on this statement win.
Featured image by Alijah Dyson
