Which 10 Games Will You Check Out In Florida This Week?

As we are now in Week 7 of the high school football season, several programs throughout Florida are in races for district titles, independent standing and the inaugural “Open Division”.   From the Panhandle all the way to south Florida, the nation will be watching on this Friday to see which teams win and lose.   This is certainly the time of year when the stakes are high – and colleges are watching to see which prospects do their thing when everything is on the line.   Because we cover high school football teams and players like nobody else, we have an advantage of getting to see these things year-round, and now that we are in the homestretch, there are some key matchups to keep your eye on.   Once again, we have taken 10 games and shine the spotlight on each one:   No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5-0) at No. 9 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (4-1). The nation's No. 1 team makes their first varsity football trip ever to the campus in Hollywood to play a game that will have the nation watching. This St. Thomas Aquinas teams is one of the best they've had, and while rain is expected, it's both sides of the line where they hold an advantage. The Lions have a huge road district game next week in West Palm Beach against defending state champion Cardinal Newman – while the Raiders will be heavy favorites the rest of the way in the regular season.   No. 3 Venice (6-0) at No. 6 Jacksonville Raines (5-0). Two of the best teams in the state will clash in Duval County and this should be the best game in Florida. Ironically, neither program is currently in the mix to play for the Open Division championships series, which is laughable at best. The Vikings haven't loss in the regular season early in the 2023 season – and the Indians have met every challenge so far. The Indians have scored 327 points so far this season – while the Vikings have relied on defense that is giving up a touchdown per outing.   No. 14 Tampa Bay Tech (6-0) at No. 30 Ruskin Lennard (5-1). Here are two programs that have enjoyed a tremendous season, and as good as the Titans and Longhorns have played, each is not getting the respect they deserve. This is a huge non-district game that will have plenty of playoff implications. Tampa Bay Tech is still in the mix to compete in the Open Division – although it is remote.   No. 15 Clearwater Central Catholic (5-0) at No. 18 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (4-1). Two more teams that are among the best in the state – with the Marauders having the chance to play spoiler while keeping themselves in the hunt for a 2A state title. The defending champion Cougars are very much in the hunt to be one of the best eight teams but cannot afford to slip up against a program that has been one of the best. Both teams have talent and are well coached.   No. 29 Miami Carol City (3-2) at Grayson, Georgia (2-3). The last time the Chiefs came to Georgia, they were beaten by Lee Conty, 23-20, and while the Rams have dropped three games already, they are still dangerous. While Carol City had to forfeit a game earlier to Daytona Beach Mainland, they have not lost on the field to a Florida team and are a longshot for the Open Division – while they could be a force in a very competitive Class 2A.   Bushnell South Sumter (5-1) at Brooksville Nature Coast Tech (4-1). Here is a non-district game that has the potential to be a good one. The Raiders have won four straight and scored 210 points. Their only loss was an overtime thriller against St. Cloud. The Sharks are hoping that the defense they have played all season will be enough to slow down the best offensive team they have played all season.   Wakulla (5-1) at Hawthorne (6-0). Love this matchup. The Hornets have raised the bar with a schedule that included programs like Miami Northwestern and Orlando Bishop Moore. Two teams that have the talent and solid coaching. While Hawthorne comes in as the favorites – giving up just eight points a game, the War Eagles have certainly come up with some big wins so far. The Hornets are tough to beat at home.   Naples St. John Neumann (5-1) at Punta Gorda Charlotte (5-0). Cannot say enough about the start the Tarpons and first year head coach Kevin Claxton had enjoyed. They have talent, are well coached and played solid defense. This non-district game only sets them up for a stretch run in district play where Cape Coral will be the big showdown. The Celtics remain as a team that will be a force in 1A, and after losing to unbeaten 2A power Miami Immaculata LaSalle, they have outscored their four opponents, 207-39 with two straight shutouts.   Royal Palm Beach (4-1) at Wellington Palm Beach Central (5-0). Before the start of the season if you mentioned this game, nobody would have given it a second thought, but a lot had changed. A district favorite, the Wildcats entire this evening's game on a four-game winning streak with wins against Glades Central, Martin County, Archbishop McCarthy and Stuart South Fork. On the other side of the ball, you have a 6A power that has been all about defense – yielding just 49 points so far this season as they are racing toward a district showdown in two weeks against Jupiter.   Tallahassee Florida High (6-0) at Jacksonville University Christian (4-2). On the surface, this may not be a game that could end up being competitive – with a Seminoles squad that has rolled over every opponent on the way to a perfect start, averaging 36 points. But the Christians are at home and have the talent to compete. Even in losses to rival Jacksonville Trinity Christian and Madison County, they had their chances to come out on top. FSU High is one of the under-the-radar programs that could answer another road opponent.   THURSDAY SCORES   Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 15, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 14   Bozeman (Panama City) 47, Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville) 14   Braddock (Miami) 42, Sunset (Miami) 0   Buchholz (Gainesville) 35, Santa Fe (Alachua) 10   Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) 41, Escambia (Pensacola) 0   Christopher Columbus (Miami) 53, Southwest Miami 0   Coral Reef (Miami) 41, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0   Cornerstone Charter (Belle Isle) 44, West Oaks Academy (Orlando) 0   Deltona 21, Matanzas (Palm Coast) 12   Destin 35, Northview (Century) 21   Doral Academy 42, Barbara Goleman (Miami Lakes) 31   Hollins (St. Petersburg) 18 (IMG Academy State Team (Bradenton) 14   Immaculata LaSalle (Miami) 13, Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 7   Northwestern (Miami) 17, American (Hialeah) 13   Piper (Sunrise) 6, Deerfield Beach 4   Rutherford (Panama City) 47, Freeport 41   Shorecrest (St. Petersburg) 43, Academy At The Lakes (Land O'Lakes) 0   Southridge (Miami) 23, South Dade (Homestead) 22   St. Edward's (Vero Beach) 31, Glades Day (Belle Glade) 15   Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 42, Harvest Community (Jacksonville) 0   Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 35, Saint John Paul II (Boca Raton) 10     CHECK OUT THE UPDATED 2027 FLORIDA CLASS. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2027-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2027-rankings/</a>   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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As we are now in Week 7 of the high school football season, several programs throughout Florida are in races for district titles, independent standing and the inaugural “Open Division”.