WEST PALM BEACH – Adam Balogoun-Ali is a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one.
We have seen this come to life on the gridiron for many games through his high school football career. But it was most evident in what may go down as the Game of the Year in Palm Beach County.
Balogoun-Ali had two memorable plays during Cardinal Newman’s 26-20 overtime home win over West Boca Raton in Week 9 on Friday, Oct. 17.
One of them was a 40-yard interception that was returned for a touchdown.
The other one was a blocked extra point that ultimately prevented West Boca Raton from a victory and forced overtime in the process.
The consensus four-star linebacker (ESPN, Rivals/On3, 247Sports) finished Week 9 with the following statistics:
•8 tackles
•1 pass breakup
•1 interception return for touchdown
•1 blocked extra point to force overtime
To be honest, those two plays encapsulated why Balogoun-Ali is in the running for our No. 1 overall player in Palm Beach County.
After Cardinal Newman (7-2; No. 4 overall team in Class 1A; No. 20 overall in the latest FHSAA state rankings) earned its Week 9 win over West Boca Raton (7-2; No. 12 overall team – Class 6A; No. 58 overall – FHSAA), Balogoun-Ali (No. 1 ranked linebacker; No. 5 overall ranked player in the 2026 class) spoke about his amazing performance and brought along fellow linebacker Cooper Clark (No. 19 ranked overall player in the 2028 class) to chime in.
Cardinal Newman senior offensive lineman and Florida A&M verbal commit Iggy Zulaica marveled about the Auburn verbal commit’s overall play on the gridiron.
“He is a guy who this year has really exceeded what i thought he could do after playing against him at Benjamin,” Zulaica said. “He covers the whole field, has elite closeout speed and great instincts. He is an absolute game wrecker on defense and special teams. He’s a great leader as well. He may just be one of the most athletically gifted people I have ever played with, and he shows it and uses it well.”
The nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker – per ESPN Recruiting – has recorded the following statistics in nine games played this season:
•73 tackles
•20 tackles for loss
•7 quarterback pressures
•3 interceptions; 2 pick-sixes
•1 forced fumble
•1 sack
Now with Senior Night coming up in Week 11 against statewide powerhouse Buchholz (8-1; No. 1 in Class 6A; No. 6 overall in latest FHSAA state rankings), Balogoun-Ali has one more shot to show Palm Beach County and beyond that he is worthy of the No. 1 overall player ranking.
“I strive for greater things, and I feel I’m the best in my class,” the 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker said. “I don’t think anyone really matches the difference I make to a game. I’m a player you have to game plan around or you’ll find out. I’m the playmaker.”
PHOTO CREDITS: James Harden / Tuff Shot Media
VIDEO CREDITS: Future Draft Style
Muck City Media Enterprises 
Leave a comment