Park Vista football has a "Big 3" and big dreams.
The Cobras, who struggled to a 4-6 clip last season, have been among the major surprises at the halfway mark. The western Lake Worth program is led by three superlative seniors in star receiver/cornerback Justice Jones, running back Elisha Gamble and transfer quarterback Erik Lee Jr., who has made it all fit.
The Cobras are on a three-game winning streak with a 3-0 record in District 14-6A, eyeing the school's first district championship since 2016.
Coming off a bye week, Park Vista will host Palm Beach Lakes on Oct. 8. Though a non-district game, it's significant because of the new format for earning points toward regional playoff selection.
“Our ultimate goal is to win the district championship,”
third-year head coach Donald Hanna said. “We haven't had one here in a while. Then get into the playoffs. Those are the two main goals. Once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen. We have a tough road ahead of us, but we got pretty good football guys.”
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Park Vista has won its last three games by a combined total of 115-19, including its last outing, a 46-6 victory over Boca Raton. Park Vista also cruised in district wins against South Plantation (28-0) and Coral Glades (41-13).
That three-game spree came after losing close non-district games to solid teams in Wellington (21-13) and Palm Beach Central (13-7), when special teams mistakes proved costly.
Against Palm Beach Central, Gamble saw a 92-yard touchdown return called back by a block-in-the-back penalty away from the play. Two blocked punts also led to Wellington scores in the eight-point loss.
“We got to the point, in the last three games, all three phases are doing what they should be doing,” said offensive coordinator Erik Lee, whose son, Erik Jr., is the quarterback. “Against a good team like Palm Beach Central and Wellington, you have to have all three phases working for you.”
It's been a dominant stretch of Park Vista football since the opening two narrow defeats.
“We started 0-2 and learned a lot about who we are,” Hanna said. “It was a learning moment and we're building from that. We're in a pretty good place.”
So is Jones, the 6-foot-3 speedster who has excelled as a receiver with 16 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns. Even better, Jones is tied for second in the state with five interceptions, including a Pick 6.
The fourth-ranked Miami Hurricanes have put Jones on their radar. Jones was a game-day invite for Miami's recent game against Central Michigan. An official visit is being worked out, likely for the Florida State matchup on Oct. 17.
Making this even more special is Jones' father, Larry Jones, a former Miami fullback who was named the 1992 Orange Bowl MVP after rushing for 144 yards in a win over Nebraska. Jones' mother, Robin Beacham Jones, ran track for “The U” in the mid-1990s.
“It was amazing,” Justice Jones said of being on the Miami sidelines. “I like the culture they have at Miami. I hope to play there one day. Because my parents went there, it's a full-circle moment.”
Jones, who attended Miami games as a kid, also has an offer from FAU, and recent interest has emerged from Penn State, NC State and Minnesota. Colleges came late but are now coming fast.
“He's been overlooked because we haven't been a top program,” Hanna said. “We're trying to change the narrative of Park Vista football.”
Jones also is a track star and a state title contender in the high jump.
“He's a ballhawk on both sides of the ball,” Hanna added. “When the ball is in the air, he'll more than likely come down with it. He gets behind the defense with his speed and great hands.”
In the 40-yard dash, Jones ran a 4.5 this summer at a college camp. But Jones believes studying extra film makes the biggest difference.
“(It's) just the work I put in,” Jones said of his success. “I work out every day and it shows on the field. Watching film, watching my opponents, makes my job easier on Friday nights.”
Jones' height has been an advantage. He made a spectacular one-handed, left-handed grab against Boca High for a 40-yard completion.
“(My height) helps a lot going for the 50-50 balls,” Jones said.
Last season, Park Vista struggled after an early-season injury to its starting quarterback. Jones and Lee now share a special connection.
“It's his hard work and dedication to the team,” Jones said of Lee. “We throw every day after practice and all weekend to build more chemistry and make it easier for us in games.”
Lee Jr. and his father made the move from Lake Worth High. Lee had been Lake Worth's head coach before stepping down to become offensive coordinator at Park Vista.
“It was a big deal getting my son over to Park Vista,” Erik Lee said. “The only thing they were missing was a quarterback who got hurt after the first game. So Justice didn't have the film. Now with my son, it's been a rising tide raising all boats.”
Lee, a left-hander, has thrown for 224 yards per game while completing 70% of his passes with 10 touchdown passes and just one interception. That's the season's lone turnover.
Entering the bye week, Lee had thrown for 1,185 yards, ranking 10th in the state in Class 6A. The southpaw has received several NAIA offers and one from Division III Lawrence University in Wisconsin, whose offensive coordinator is former Jupiter coach Jason Kradman.
Park Vista's Big 3 is rounded out by Gamble, who also plays defensive back. The senior holds an offer from FAU.
Known as “EJ,” Gamble has racked up 346 rushing yards and 207 receiving yards with six total touchdowns. Averaging more than 100 total yards per game, Gamble is the program's heartbeat and big-play threat.
“EJ has a chip on his shoulder,” Hanna said. “It dates back to youth football. He wasn't always the biggest, fastest or strongest. He definitely took care of the things he can control to become one of the fastest and strongest. He works his butt off to the point it's impossible for defenses to tackle him.”
“He has numerous highlights breaking multiple tackles, changing the field from one side to the other,” Hanna added. “He never comes off the field.”
There are other important contributors. A transfer from Boynton Beach, Kurt Chery is known as the Cobras' gadget guy, lining up at a variety of positions, including receiver and running back.
A playmaker in space, Chery gained 120 yards on four carries in the Boca blowout.
On defense, sophomore linebacker Myron Tracey is averaging 12 tackles per game and already holds an offer from Syracuse. Junior cornerback Wis Paul has also been a defensive standout.
It's all added up to excitement returning to Park Vista football. The Spanish River game on Oct. 23 looms as the matchup that will likely decide the district championship.
“I'm not surprised at all,” said the 17-year-old Jones. “We have been grinding since Day 1. We put in the work and the results show.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Park Vista football's 'Big 3' fueling district title push in 2026
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