For the first time since 2021, Merritt Island High experienced a state playoff win last season as the Mustangs advanced to the regional semifinals. With a talented roster full of returners and transfers, Merritt Island is focused on contending for a state championship this fall. “(Practice) has been going good. The kids are competing every day,” Merritt Island head coach Tyler Murray said. “It’s intense, very physical so I think we’re going to be a pretty good team this year.” The Mustangs finished last season with a 7-5 record. It was a step in the right direction, but they weren’t satisfied with how the season ended. “Obviously, we didn’t end where we wanted to end, but at the end of the day it was a successful year, but not what our standard is,” Murray said. “We want to take the next step and make that deep run like we know we’re capable of doing.”
Merritt Island possesses one of the most talented teams in the county. With a strong returning core and the infusion of several transfers, Murray said it’s been a seamless process of meshing the team together. “Luckily, we have a really strong culture here and a real family bond. All those guys came in and our guys accepted them with open arms,” Murray said. “They kind of fell right into our culture because of how our best players were. Our best players are our hardest workers. When that happens, everything else kind of falls in line.” The Mustangs' offense averaged 32.4 points last season, ranking among the best in the county. They expect to put up similar numbers with senior quarterback Kevin Verpaele, senior Alain Adams, senior tight end DeShaun Thomas, senior wide receiver Drew Sarver, Cocoa transfer Zaylan Chapple and Rockledge transfer Elijah Mitchell among the offensive cast. “They’re going to be explosive. I’m excited to watch those guys play,” Murray said. “There’s a lot of freedom those guys have on the offense because a lot of them have in it for three or four years. It’s going to be a fun show to watch.” Verpaele orchestrates the offense for another year as the starter. Verpaele threw for 2,714 yards, 27 touchdowns and 9 interceptions last season. He completed 63.2% of his passes. “(Verpaele) is really taking the next step as a leader,” Murray said. “He’s challenging those guys in the locker room, the weight room, challenging them out here to make sure that we’re going to be the best team that we can be. That’s what you want as a leader.” Despite the graduations of its top three tacklers, Merritt Island reloaded on defense with transfers after allowing 29 points per game. Among the additions include Rockledge transfers Elijah Floyd and Tory Love. “Hopefully, we can stop the run a little bit better than we did last year,” Murray said. “That’s our main goal. Other than that, let’s just fly to the football and play fast.” Mustangs senior linebacker Jonas Walters anchors the defense after recording 89 tackles in 2025, the most among returners. Senior Kamar Fielder led the secondary with 51 tackles, 16 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. “(Walters) had a great year last year. I’m wanting to see him take the next step. That was his first year playing linebacker last year, so he should take a big jump this year being in year two," Murray said. "I think (Fielder) is going to dominate on the back end. That’s what he does. I would like to see him take charge in his leadership more on the back end and be a little bit more vocal.” Merritt Island kicks off the regular season on Aug. 21 at Cocoa. It’ll look to win its first state title since 1979. “They just need to put the blinders on and focus on us. That’s all they need to do. We’re never playing against someone else,” Murray said. “We’re playing against us every week. If we come out and we dominate and we execute and we do our job, we’re going to be OK.” Head coach: Tyler Murray enters his fifth season as the Merritt Island head coach. Postseason history: Merritt Island won three state championships in 1972 and 1978-79. Playoff seasons: ’67, ’69, ’72, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’83, ’85, ’89, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21, ’22, ‘23, ’24, ‘25 Playoff record: 52-39 State final: 1972 (Eddie Feely, 4A champion over Leon, 40-21, Doak Campbell Stadium), 1978 (Gerald Odom, 4A champion over Pine Forest, 20-6, Pine Forest High School), 1979 (Odom, 4A champion over Pine Forest, 19-14, Merritt Island High School), 1989 (Odom, 4A runner-up to Dillard, 40-14, Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium), 2021 (Hurlie Brown, 5A runner-up to Miami Central, 49-14, DRV PNK Stadium) 2026 Merritt Island High Schedule Aug. 14 vs. Cypress Bay (Kickoff Classic), 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at Cocoa, 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Melbourne, 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m. Sept. 11 vs. Astronaut, 7 p.m. Sept. 18 vs. Bishop Kenny, 7 p.m. Sept. 25 vs. Titusville, 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Eau Gallie, 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Palm Bay, 7 p.m. Oct. 23 vs. Rockledge, 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Viera, 7 p.m. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tour of Brevard: Merritt Island has ingredients for state title run