If you are searching for the reason West Boca Raton was able to win a second consecutive 6A state football championship, you may have to start with its vaunted defense — led by junior Jamar Thompson.

At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Thompson is as imposing as anyone. He anchors a Bulls defense which allowed 6.9 points per game in 15 contests and posted six shutouts. Thompson ended the year with 50 total tackles, including 19 solo and 16 tackles for loss. He also registered 10 sacks, had three pass breakups and forced a fumble.

He’s helped the Bulls (13-2) go back-to-back in 6A state championship games as they defeated West Broward 31-0 this year to follow up on their 26-7 win over Osceola last year with both games being contested at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University.

“Since the start of the season, we knew what we wanted,” Thompson said. “We had to go in every game, every team that so-called been a good opponent, we had to knock them off to get where we’re going to be where we want. We had to work hard and grind the whole season to get where we at now.”

The win over West Broward was also the first shutout posted by a Palm Beach school in state history. It also marked the first time since 2010 where a Palm Beach County team went back-to-back, and was also the first time in state history where a large public school from Palm Beach County to go back-to-back in state history.

The three-year starter is the 7A-5A Sun-Sentinel defensive player of the year and a defensive captain. He benches 375 pounds. Among the schools recruiting him are UM, Nebraska, and Ole Miss.

Thompson wants more. He wants to close out his senior year and high school career with a third straight state championship. He said the reason the defense has been so stingy is because they are accountable and stress teamwork.

The two losses this season to Cardinal Newman in overtime and to Bergen Catholic were tough but served as motivation and a humbling experience for the team.

“Those setbacks made the team more resilient and focused,” Thompson said. “Tough losses like that really humble you.”

Jamar Thompson from West Boca High School, football player of the year, photographed on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/25/palm-beach-7a-5a-football-defensive-player-of-the-year/