Middleburg Fl- Middleburg High School opened the 2026 high school football season with a strong performance Friday night, defeating Menendez 23-6 in the Broncos’ home opener.
The victory gives Middleburg a 1-0 start to the season, while Menendez falls to 0-1. The matchup was the first regular-season game for both teams after Menendez opened Week 0 with a difficult 46-0 loss to Bradford.
For Middleburg, the win was an important first step after an 8-3 season in 2025 that ended in the regional quarterfinals. The Broncos entered Week 1 looking to build on that success and establish momentum early in the new season. Menendez, which finished 3-7 last year, entered the contest looking to put last week’s loss behind it and begin a new chapter.
Led by quarterback Dalton Motes,Middleburg controlled the game well through both halves of football but were unable to finish drives. The defense however stood tall enough to pull away from the Falcons and finish with a 17-point victory. The Broncos’ defense held Menendez to just six points, making it difficult for the Falcons to sustain enough offense to keep pace.
After only scoring 3-points in the first half, the 20-point second half performance also showed that Middleburg’s offense could provide enough production when paired with a defense that consistently kept the Falcons from finding the end zone.
Middleburg’s Khaden Robinson found daylight behind the Broncos offensive line of John Clark, Jacob Long Mark Albney, Loogan Tedrick and Lucas McGrath,to reach the endzone for a touchdown.
Power running from fullback Samuel Craven and also Chaz Brittain kept the chains moving. And the defense did the rest. Jamrian Lane, Demarcus Bussey, Dillion Lopez
For Menendez, the challenge now is to regroup quickly. The Falcons will not have much time to dwell on the loss, as they travel to face Ridgeview next Friday at 7 p.m.
Middleburg, meanwhile, will have another major test at home when Bartram Trail visits the Broncos next Friday at 7 p.m. That matchup will give Middleburg an early opportunity to show whether Friday’s victory can become the beginning of a strong 2026 campaign.
Week 1 provided a clear contrast for the two programs. Middleburg leaves the night with confidence, a 1-0 record and another home game ahead. Menendez leaves searching for answers, but with an opportunity to respond immediately.
With a long season ahead, Friday night was only the beginning. For Middleburg, it was a promising start. For Menendez, the road to recovery begins next week.
Images by Heather Isbell
