All Seven Defending State Champs Remain

When play begins on Friday night across the state of Florida, all seven state champions from a year ago still remain in the Final Four of their respective classifications.   While winning a state title is never easy, especially in this competitive state, a lot of luck and talent are equally involved.   To win another state crown, each of the seven programs will have to survive that never-ending gauntlet that is Florida high school football.   Here is a look at those programs:   CLASS 1A   No. 4 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (9-4) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (10-2). The Lions and veteran head coach Dameon Jones are looking for an amazing 10th straight trip to the finals, and as they embark on that journey, for the second straight year, the Conquerors will provide the state semifinal.   The other side of the bracket has undefeated Tampa Carrollwood Day and a very impressive West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman squad.   CLASS 2A   No. 4 Cocoa (8-4) at No. 1 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (12-1). What the three-time defending state champion Cocoa Tigers and head coach Ryan Schneider have put out there is do not count this team out until they are officially out. They have gotten it done the past month and will visit a team they beat last year to get to Miami. The Cougars are loaded and will provide plenty of competition at home.   On the other side of the bracket is an elite Jacksonville Bolles squad who will host a Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons team that has a winning pedigree, but it's been a minute.   CLASS 3A   No. 4 Orlando Bishop Moore (12-1) at No. 1 Miami Northwestern (12-0). The Hornets have a had a great season, and pulled plenty of surprises along the way, but to stay within three touchdowns of first year head coach Jaquatin Victrum and the defending state champions, they will have to hope for the Bulls to make mistakes. They are that good – even without Teddy Bridgewater - and anything less than a lopsided win, would be a major upset. They are easily one of the nation's best.   Unbeaten Jacksonville Raines is on the other side of the bracket, still smarting from last year's clock-running state title game. The Vikings better worry about Sarasota Booker, who has the talent to win this game!   CLASS 4A   No. 3 Plantation American Heritage (7-5) at No. 2 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (12-1). Perhaps the toughest assignment of any of the defending state champions will be head coach Mike Smith and his Patriots who will have to travel (616 miles) the furthest of any team in Florida state semifinal history. But this is a program that is resilient and has played by far the toughest schedule in the state with several starters NOT in the lineup.   Veteran Head Coach Frank Beasley and his Indians are loaded and have also played some quality teams.   On the other side of the bracket is a motivate Orlando Jones squad that loss to American Heritage last year in the title game against a surprising Port Charlotte team.   CLASS 5A   No. 4 Fort Myers Riverdale (12-1) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1). Six straight state titles, which includes last year's clock-running win against Lakeland. Veteran head coach Roger Harriott and the Raiders are battle tested and loaded in every phase of the game. The Riverdale Raiders have not played a team close to what they will face on Friday.   Speaking about Lakeland – the Dreadnaughts know they were embarrassed last year and will be at home against a competitive Ponte Vedra squad – with their eyes on a rematch in Miami.   CLASS 6A   No. 3 West Boca Raton (11-2) No. 2 Seffner Armwood (13-0). While the Bulls and head coach Dylan Potts were a surprise last year during their historic run at a title, this year they will NOT be able to sneak up on anyone – and the Hawks and head coach Evan Davis have dominated (577-58) more than any team in the state playoffs, not yielding a point in 14 quarters and have registered seven shutouts. West Boca's work – on the road – will be cut out for them.   On the other side of the bracket are two “dangerous” teams in Gainesville Buchholz and West Broward, who pulled a major upset last week at Miami Southridge.   CLASS 7A   No. 3 Venice (9-3) at No. 2 Lake Mary (10-3). This was the state championship game last year, and head coach John Peacock and the Indians dominated in every phase of the game. Venice is stacked once again and, on a roll, but the Rams have played very well over the past month – stunning previously unbeaten DeLand last week.   On the other side of the backet is unbeaten No. 1 seed Vero Beach who hasn't been in this position since 1981 – and an intriguing Miami Palmetto squad that finally got over the Miami Christopher Columbus hurdle.     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>   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.   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>.

When play begins on Friday night across the state of Florida, all seven state champions from a year ago still remain in the Final Four of their respective classifications.