10 Games To Watch Across The State On This Friday

Over the first two weeks of the 2026 high school football season, we have been blessed with somew quality games across the state of Florida.   With nationally rated teams and others who are among the best in the state, the matchups have been amazing, and with many across the country watching, this year has gotten off to an impressive start.   We were promised, heading into the season that each and every week there would be some quality games with programs from all over the country squaring off with the very best that we have to offer.   Once again this week we will have some games that will have implications on the newly-organized “Open Division” as well as other classes.   Here are the 10 games that we chose to look at:   Baltimore Saint Frances Academy (1-0) at Vero Beach (2-0). Last week the Panthers traveled to play 6A power DeLand and came back to win, 49-35, showcasing elite national talent that they have on their roster. This week they make a return trip to Florida to play last year's 7A state runner up that is certainly one of the favorites to make a splash in the Open Division or in 6A. The Indians started the season with a 34-0 win against Jensen Beach and came back last week to defeat Delray Beach Atlantic, 45-30.   Eau Gallie (1-1) at Sanford Seminole (2-0). Here are two programs that many felt had a great chance to be in the mix for a state title this season. The Commodores stumbled out of the gate on opening night, losing to Tampa Carrollwood Day, 41-7, but then bounced back last week, beating Palm Bay Heritage, 41-0. The Seminoles, who fell under .500 a year ago, began 2026 with a 26-17 win against Highlands Ranch Mountain View, Colorado and against a much-improved Winter Park Lake Howell, 24-7, last week. This is a huge game for both teams!   Fort Pierce John Carroll (2-0) at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (2-0). On the surface, the defending state champion Crusaders come in at home as a big favorite, beating the Community School of Naples (37-7) and beating defending state champion Sarasota Cardinal Mooney in a thriller last week, 47-46, but the Golden Rams believe that they have the kind of team that has worked hard to build – with wins against Fort Myers Bishop Verot (17-0) and Belle Glade Glades Central (42-27) to start out 2026.   Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (1-0) at St. Johns Bartram Trail (2-0). For the second straight week, the Crusaders are on the road, coming off a thrilling win against Ponte Vedra (28-21 OT) last week. The Bears are looking to rebuild a program that has been successful in the past, but has fallen off over the past few seasons. Wins against St. Augustine Tocoi Creek (37-3) and Middleburg (23-12), while not top tier victories are certainly confidence boosters, so this home game is huge against a quality opponent.   Jacksonville Raines (2-0) at Jacksonville Ed White (1-0). Say what you want about this contest, but the Commanders certainly circled this date against the defending state champions when the schedule was made. Going against a program that has dominated the landscape of north Florida for a few years, a huge opening-night win against Jacksonville Trinity Christian (42-40 OT) gave them plenty of confidence. On the other side of the ball are the Vikings who are still sitting on top of the world – with wins over Orange Park Oakleaf (21-7) and last week at home against Baldwin (52-14). While they lost some key players, this program was rebuilt. This is a game that will tell a lot on both sides of the ball.   Madison County (2-0) at [player_tooltip player_id='2122848' first='Lake' last='City Columbia'] (2-0). When it was announced that there would not be a Rural Division this year, the Cowboys and their many years of success moved into a suddenly crowded Class 1A. With convincing wins against Lecanto (38-0) and Havana Gadsden County (34-6), there is plenty to be excited about – and this road trip to Lake City to play the Tigers will be a major test. With big wins against Jacksonville Bolles (20-19) and St. Petersburg Lakewood (24-6), the Tigers are tested and ready to make a statement. This is certainly a game that will tell each program something. If you are in the area, this may be a perfect matchup to catch.   Miami Christopher Columbus (2-0) at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0). Over the past two years, the seven-time defending state champion Raiders have outscored the Explorers, 85-13, and before last Saturday's major upset over No. 1 Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, most felt that this game would pretty much be the same as it had been. But Columbus has improved greatly with talent on both sides of the ball. They showed that they can play with the best – and that will be the order this evening. The Raiders, after a convincing 38-14 win against Texas power DeSoto, still feel they are the team to beat as they move into the No. 1 spot and are at home. This would be the first time in high school history that a program would have the chance to beat the top team in the country in successive weeks.   Plantation American Heritage (1-1) at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1-1). Championship pedigree will once again be on display as two of the state's elite programs will once again get together with plenty at stake. After beating Coconut Creek Monarch to open the season, the Lions dropped a 24-7 decision to California national power Sierra Canyon. The two-time defending state champion Patriots dropped their opener to West Boca Raton, 24-7, but bounced back against national power East St. Louis in the Broward County National Showcase in overtime, 35-28.   Tallahassee Florida High (2-0) at Santa Rosa Beach South Walton (2-0). Over the first two weeks of the season, one of the top Panhandle programs has been the Seahawks, who dominated Gulf Breeze (50-0) and Fort Walton Beach (35-0) as the look to make a solid run a state title appearance this season in 3A. They will be tested by a solid Seminoles team that has also gotten off to a fast start – with wins against Navarre (37-13) and Tallahassee Chiles (24-14). We will find out a lot about these two programs as they both race for a Top 30 statewide ranking.   Tampa Catholic (2-0) at Brooksville Nature Coast Tech (2-0). Here is one of those early season battles that will tell each program where they stand after two victories to begin the season. The Sharks opened up with a home win against Bartow (16-6) and then came back to pick up a road with at Spring Hill Springstead, 41-13. The Crusaders have truly made some major strides over the past two years, and coming into this contest, have scored 94 points in wins over Tampa Jefferson (46-20) and St. Petersburg Catholic (48-39) last week. One of the top games in the region.     THURSDAY   Abington Heights, Pennsylvania 35, Winter Park Trinity Prep 0   Boca Raton 40, Boca Raton Olympic Heights 25   Cape Coral 26, Fort Myers Dunbar 20   Cape Coral Ida Baker 35, Bradenton IMG State Team 17   Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 28, Pembroke Pines Charter 20   Cooper City 41, Coral Springs Taravella 0   Fort Lauderdale 34, Hollywood Hills 8   Hialeah American 33, North Miami 25   Lantana Santaluces 1, Lake Worth 0, Forfeit   Merritt Island Christian 48, St. Augustine Florida Deaf & Blind 14   Miami Central 43, Miami St. Brendan 7   Miami Coral Reef 26, Miami Dr. Krop 14   Miami High 14, Southwest Miami 7   Miami Westminster Christian 28, Homestead Somerset Silver Palms 6   Miramar Everglades 8, Pompano Beach 0   Orange Park 27, Jacksonville Atlantic Coast 16   Pahokee 33, North Palm Beach Benjamin 3   Pensacola Pine Forest 38, Crestview 29   Satellite 35, Daytona Beach Seabreeze 2   Sebring 35, Legacy, Colorado 22   South Fort Myers 28, Naple Gulf Coast 7   South Miami 36, Coral Springs Parkridge Christian 0   Tallahassee Godby 21, Pensacola Catholic 10   Tavares 24, Mount Dora 13   Umatilla 27, Eustis 13   Venice Wellen Park 40, Arcadia DeSoto 0   Wellington 26, Fort Pierce Westwood 0   Wellington Palm Beach Central 24, Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia 12   West Palm Beach The King's Academy 35, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 12     Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.   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Over the first two weeks of the 2026 high school football season, we have been blessed with somew quality games across the state of Florida.