10 Kickoff Classic Games That Deserve Your Attention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The kickoff classics are more than a preseason tune-up. For programs with championship expectations, these games offer an early measuring stick—and for prospects, they're an opportunity to make an impression before the regular season even begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. St. Pete Catholic vs. Jesuit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a strong west-side matchup to open the slate, with both programs bringing legitimate talent and plenty to evaluate. St. Pete Catholic enters with 2027 quarterback <strong>Chase Burrill </strong>leading the way. Burrill and his supporting cast give the Barons an offense capable of making this competitive, particularly if they can establish rhythm early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesuit brings its own questions at quarterback with 2030 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1926020' first='Jack' last='Griffin'] </strong>stepping into the starting role. Griffin, the brother of former Jesuit QB standout Will Griffin, has plenty of talent around him, including explosive playmaker <strong>Hezekiah Davis.</strong> On defense, keep an eye on five-star 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1419103' first='Kaden' last='Henderson'] and Duke commit [player_tooltip player_id='1909443' first='Tripp' last='Keller'], who gives Jesuit a two difference-makers off the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Chase Burrill, [player_tooltip player_id='1926020' first='Jack' last='Griffin'], Hezekiah Davis, [player_tooltip player_id='1909443' first='Tripp' last='Keller'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Hawthorne vs. Vanguard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Different styles. Different identities. That's what makes this matchup particularly interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vanguard gives us another look at 2027 quarterback <strong>Terrence Lewis</strong>, who returns with a talented group of weapons around him. Lewis has the athletic ability and arm talent to make things happen when the offense gets moving, and this is an early opportunity to see how the unit looks together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawthorne, meanwhile, has become synonymous with toughness and talent. The Hornets always seem to have another playmaker ready to emerge, and 2028 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2103610' first='Richard' last='Roundtree Jr']</strong>. is a major reason to pay attention. This game should give us an early glimpse at how two physical programs handle each other's strengths.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Terrence Lewis, [player_tooltip player_id='2103610' first='Richard' last='Roundtree Jr']., Both have offensive weapons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Manatee vs. Trinity Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one immediately jumps out because both programs understand what serious football looks like.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've had my eyes on Manatee throughout the spring, and 2029 quarterback <strong>Nolan Downes</strong> is a player worth watching closely. He's got talent around him and should get an early opportunity to show how he handles varsity-level pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Christian brings a strong football culture of its own, along with quarterback <strong>Terel Dallas</strong>. Trinity consistently finds ways to develop talent, and this is a good early test for both teams. The matchup should tell us plenty about Manatee's young talent while giving Trinity a chance to show where it stands against another established program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Nolan Downes, Terel Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. St. Augustine vs. Ponte Vedra</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is exactly the type of Northeast Florida matchup that can get overlooked nationally but deserves attention locally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra both have strong coaching staffs and programs that expect to compete. That makes the kickoff classic more than simply a chance to get on the field—it becomes an early opportunity to see which team looks more prepared heading into the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The coaching battle should be just as interesting as the talent on the field. Expect both teams to lean into what they do best rather than showing the entire playbook.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> St. Augustine's key skill-position talent, Ponte Vedra's staff and mentality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Lake Mary vs. Buchholz</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a matchup for Central Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both programs enter with expectations, and this is an early test that can establish momentum heading into the regular season. Buchholz caught my attention during the spring with its size and overall talent, and 2028 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2198028' first='Andrew' last='Whittemore']</strong> is a major piece of that group. He has the tools to become one of the names people are talking about throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mary has its own storyline at quarterback. With 2028 signal-caller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2225125' first='Remy' last='Jarman']</strong> looking to fill some big shoes, this is an opportunity to see how he handles the stage and whether the offense can maintain its standard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2198028' first='Andrew' last='Whittemore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2225125' first='Remy' last='Jarman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Vero Beach vs. Cardinal Newman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Newman has every reason to enter this game with confidence after winning the 1A state championship last season. The Crusaders return enough talent to make another serious run, and this game provides an immediate measuring stick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then there's Vero Beach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians have Notre Dame quarterback commit <strong>Champ Monds </strong>leading a group that expects to compete at a high level. This matchup is especially intriguing because of the physical component. Can Vero control the line of scrimmage and establish the type of game it wants? Can Newman handle Vero's overall athleticism and quarterback play?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Vero, this is also an early opportunity to see how the team responds against a program coming off a championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Champ Monds, Cardinal Newman's returning playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Edgewater vs. Armwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of my top games on the entire slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs with serious tradition meeting early in the year is always worth watching. Edgewater has plenty of expectations surrounding the program, and if the Eagles have their full group available, this becomes a fascinating early test for head coach Patrick Browning and his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armwood brings the type of physicality and athleticism that can expose weaknesses before the regular season begins. For Edgewater, there's something to prove here. For Armwood, it's a chance to set the tone against a program with similar aspirations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And honestly, sometimes the environment tells you everything you need to know. This feels like one of those games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Edgewater's physicality, Armwood's defensive front and playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Cardinal Mooney vs. St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now we're talking fireworks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Thomas Aquinas brings the national reputation, championship pedigree, and a defensive secondary that should give any quarterback problems. Cardinal Mooney, however, isn't walking into this matchup intimidated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes will be on 2027 Florida quarterback commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909446' first='Davin' last='Davidson']</strong>. This is exactly the type of game where a quarterback can make a statement against a defense loaded with Power Four-caliber talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also a bigger-picture storyline here. If both programs reach their potential, this could feel like a preview of an Open Division championship matchup later in the year. That's what makes this one so compelling: the talent is obvious, but the stakes feel bigger than a kickoff classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1909446' first='Davin' last='Davidson'], St. Thomas Aquinas' entire roster, Cardinal Mooney's depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Lakeland vs. West Broward</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland enters the season with a roster that makes anything short of a championship run feel like a disappointment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dreadnaughts have talent, depth, and a coaching staff capable of getting the most out of it. West Broward should provide a respectable early challenge, but Lakeland's depth and physical running game could eventually become the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm particularly interested in 2027 quarterback <strong>Kelin Hendrix</strong>. Lakeland has an opportunity to blend some of the program's traditional physicality with a more modern passing attack, and Hendrix gives them a quarterback who can create with his legs while continuing to develop as a passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Lakeland gets the offense rolling early, this could become a showcase for what the Dreadnaughts are capable of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Kelin Hendrix, Lakeland's running backs and defensive front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Lake Wales vs. Auburndale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the game I'm circling as the <strong>Polk County game of the year</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Wales and Auburndale may no longer be district opponents, but that doesn't erase the history between these programs. Auburndale got the better of Lake Wales in a close one last season, so there is an obvious revenge element for the Highlanders heading into this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the talent is ridiculous for an early-season game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Polk County's top 2029 quarterbacks will be on opposite sides with Lake Wales' <strong>Kingston Loydd</strong> and Auburndale's <strong>Teo Edwards</strong>. Then there's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670990' first='Kaneilius' last='Purdy']</strong>, who has a legitimate argument as the top overall player in Polk County, along with standout running back <strong>Kamari Smith, </strong>while Auburndale has a top linebacker in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657157' first='Malachi' last='Moore'].&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wild part? Auburndale has plenty of talent of its own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't simply a rivalry game. It's a chance to see two Polk County programs loaded with young talent collide before the season really gets moving. Expect emotion, physical football, young stars getting their first major spotlight of the year, and a crowd that understands exactly what this matchup means.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is going to be a movie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong> Kingston Loydd, Teo Edwards, [player_tooltip player_id='1670990' first='Kaneilius' last='Purdy'], Kamari Smith, plus the emerging talent on both rosters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->