10 Key Games To Keep An Eye On This Week

With just two weeks left in this fast-moving 2025 high school football season, there are still some matchups that will not only dictate ranking but also state playoff standing.   This has indeed been a year where things have been interesting from the very beginning with Florida programs taking on some of the best in the country.   The Broward County National Showcase started the ball rolling in late August with several teams from the Sunshine State having the opportunity to make an impact – many in front of a national TV audience.   Melbourne Eau Gallie (6-2) at No. 19 Delray Beach Atlantic (8-0). The Commodores, winners of the past four games, are out to show that they are indeed a team that will once again be a force in 3A when the state playoffs begin in two weeks. But to stay on that path, they will have to go against an Eagles' squad that is the top seed in 5A in the south, and with defending 6A state champion West Boca Raton coming up next week, they will need to focus against a solid team.   No. 30 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (6-2) at Fort Myers Bishop Verot (4-4). Coming off a huge win against defending 6A state champion West Boca Raton, and wrapping up their district in 1A, the Crusaders hit the road for a contest that is certainly no slam dunk against a Viking program that has played up and down and are looking to gain momentum in 2A over the last two games. This is a contest that should be a four quarter game.   Orange Park Oakleaf (7-1) at Jacksonville Mandarin (7-1). With their only loss coming against No. 1 IMG Academy, the Mustangs have won three straight and believe that they are one of the elite teams in a competitive Class 6A. But to beat the Knights, they will have to play mistake free football. They have won three straight since losing to 2A power Jacksonville Bolles. This is indeed a classic District 2-6A title game.   Orlando Evans (7-1) at Oviedo (6-2). It's been two months since the Trojans started the season with a loss to West Orange, but since then they have established themselves as one of the top 6A programs in the state – coming up with some quality wins. The Lions have also played extremely well since losing to Lake Brantley back in September. Another game that will decide the district champion, and both teams feel they can be carrying that District 4-6A flag after Friday night.   Lake Mary (5-3) at Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley (6-2). While the Rams have wrapped up the District 3-7A title, and have played much better over the past month, the Patriots look to rescue a season that looked so promising at the start of the season. Both programs have plenty of talent and marquee quarterbacks. If Lake Mary is going to get back to the state title game, this contest is a must.   No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7-1) at Plantation American Heritage (4-4). The six-time defending state champion Raiders have revenge on their mind after losing at home to the Patriots last season. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots are faced with a losing regular season for the first time in a long, long time.   Winter Garden West Orange (7-1) at Ocoee (5-3). On the surface this shouldn't be a contest – as the Warriors come in with big time defense that has four consecutive shutouts and an offense that continues to put up plenty of points. But this is a District 5-7A title game, and the Knights are at home with plenty of talent and a chance to make a splash with the state playoffs just two weeks away.   Lake Wales (6-2) at Kissimmee Osceola (6-2). Yet another elite matchup of two quality programs that are both headed to the state playoffs. The Kowboys are the defending 6A state runner up and are still loaded on the defensive side of the ball – while the Highlanders are looking for a huge upset on the road, and as a team that competes in a crowded Class 4A, they are searching for every advantage. This is indeed a game that will go down to the wire.   Palmetto (6-1) at Ruskin Lennard (7-1). After being upset last week against Parrish Community, this is a must win for the Longhorns to stay in the race for a post season state playoff spot. The Tigers are 3-0 in district play and have won five straight games and are among the best teams in a loaded Class 6A.   Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (7-1) at Miami Immaculata La Salle (8-0). If it weren't for a loss on the road last week against Lakeland Lake Gibson, this would be a game that would have matched the unbeatens. But still, there is plenty surrounding this contest that will showcase two programs that are on their way to the state playoffs in a few weeks. The 2A Royal Lions are the second seed in the region. The Lions are among the top 5A teams.     THURSDAY FLORIDA STATEWIDE SCOREBOARD   Cape Coral Mariner 48, Cape Coral Ida Baker 12   Coconut Creek 45, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 6   Estero 49, Cape Coral Island Coast 0   Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 20, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 14   Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 44, Pompano Beach 7   Fort Pierce Central 34, Port St. Lucie West Centennial 32   Gainesville Buchholz 50, St. Johns Bartram Trail 16   Hallandale 34, Pembroke Pines Charter 20   Hialeah 38, Miami Springs 0   Hialeah Gardens 28, Hialeah Miami Lakes 0   Hollywood McArthur 55, South Plantation 0   Homestead South Dade 23, Coral Gables 0   Jupiter 34, Palm Beach Lakes 12   Lakeland 44, Lakeland Kathleen 6   Lynn Haven Mosley 54, Gulf Breeze 14   Miami Braddock 38, Miami Sunset 0   Miami Edison 52, Homestead 20   Miami Florida Christian 21, Miami Beach 13   Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 29, North Miami Beach 28 (OT)   Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 56, Coral Springs Taravella 0   Miami Ransom Everglades 35, Miami Booker T. Washington 0   Miami Varela 27, Miami Coral Park 13   Pahokee 47, Port St. Lucie Legacy Charter 0   Parkland Douglas 28, Coral Springs Charter 6   Pembroke Pines Flanagan 32, Hollywood South Broward 29   Sneads 47, Tallahassee FAMU DRS 8   Tallahassee Rickards 30, Panama City Beach Arnold 19   West Broward 49, Miami Dr. Krop 0   West Palm Beach Forest Hill 27, Riviera Beach Suncoast 6   Williston 15, Newberry 14   WEDNESDAY SCORE   Hialeah American 35, South Miami 0     2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida ">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida </a>   OCTOBER CLASS OF 2027 RANKING UPDATES: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2027-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2027-rankings/</a>   Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.   COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

With just two weeks left in this fast-moving 2025 high school football season, there are still some matchups that will not only dictate ranking but also state playoff standing.