Ten Friday Night Games You Want To Check Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have finally reached the 2026 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an off season of conditioning, camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, spring football and summer showcases, the new season is here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All those who have talked about how they are winning it all will be put on the line over the next 16 weeks – with key matchups, playoffs and state title games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the newly-formed “Open Division” we will find out what team is the very best in the Sunshine State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every week, we will take a look at 10 games that will have something at stake – and while not all the matchups we talk about will feature marquee teams, that contest will be worth checking out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening week will have some interesting games to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacksonville Mandarin at Hollywood McArthur. </strong>This is the first game of the Fifth Annual Broward County Football Showcase and it matches two teams with Mustangs as their mascot and two programs that wears the same orange, green and white colors. This is also a game that will feature plenty of talent – with Power 4 standouts on both sides of the ball. Each team feels that they are among the Top 30 in the state – and the winner of this matchup will be considered one of the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacksonville Trinity Christian at Jacksonville Ed White. </strong>This is one of those games that many across the state may not have listed as a marquee matchup but this has the potential to be a really good game. The Conquerors have been in the Final 4 among 1A schools the past two seasons with younger prospects – while the Commanders have slowly built into a contender. Keep your eye on both programs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeLand at Lake Wales. </strong>Not sure why more people across the state aren't paying more attention to this game. Yes, the Bulldogs are a bigger program and were easily one of the top teams in Florida last season – while the Highlanders had a really productive off season and have plenty of athletes and they are at home! You cannot give DeLand a big lead because you will have no chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gainesville Buchholz and Ocala Vanguard. </strong>The Bobcats have been picked by many as a program that has a real shot of ending up in the “Open Division” this season – with elite talent on both sides of the ball. But lets keep in mind that the Knights have also been one of the top programs in Florida over the past decade and are at home for the opening with size, athletes and a belief that they can matchup with anyone on their challenging schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jensen Beach at Vero Beach. </strong>The last we saw the Indians was in the 7A state finals when they lost a heartbreaker to Lake Mary. It was a long and tough off season, trying to get that setback out of their minds and last week's kickoff classic victory over 1A state champion West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. This was the best off season that the Falcons had, easily beating Miami Southridge in the spring. While they have plenty of talent, they are on the road against a hungry team but can get a reading on where they stand against one of the best in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Central at Orange Lutheran, California. </strong>Last season the Lancers came to Florida and left with a huge win – on the field – against Miami Northwestern. Even though they had to forfeit that win and other games, they ended up as one of the top programs in the competitive Trinity League. The Rockets are used to going on the road, especially on the west coast, and are coming off a solid off season. This late-night contest will certainly capture the attention of the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Northwestern at St. Petersburg Lakewood. </strong>The new era of Bulls' football gets started on the road – and while they reached the title game last season, for the second straight year, they lost plenty of talent and coaching. But this Northwestern and they still have talent. How much talent? We will find out against a Spartans team that won 11 games a year ago and have always stepped up against all types of competition. This should be a competitive contest on opening night, and yes, we will certainly have some answers later this evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando Dr. Phillips at Orlando The First Academy. </strong>This is another one of those games that may not have the flash that most contests do across the state on opening week, but there is plenty of interest to see what the Royals do with some new faces and plenty of talent against a Panther squad with a new coaching staff in place for the first time in well over a decade. This will be an indicator for both programs moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch at Bushnell South Sumter. </strong>This is one of those openers that will provide answers for both teams. The Raiders are coming off a disappointing season but have added some prospects along with returning some younger players that showed plenty of promise. For the Bulls, they are also trying to rebound from a sub .500 season. They added a number of key prospects that should help them into the post season. Really good test for both of these programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Boca Raton at Plantation American Heritage. </strong>This may be the most prestigious game of the opening week as the Bulls and Patriots are both two-time defending state champions. While West Boca Raton had the chance to see what they have by playing a competitive kickoff classic a week ago against Miami Carol City, American Heritage has not played as a team since beating Orlando Jones for a 4A state title last December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zephyrhills at The Villages Charter. </strong>Yet another season-opener that was probably not on many radar screens this week, but let's keep in mind that the two teams combined for 19 wins and post season success a year ago. While both are looking to see some new faces make an impression, there is enough talent coming back where this opener will be a barometer for each team that is looking to make a run at the Top 30 spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August Rankings Update: Who was added to our Florida 2028 list? <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/icymi-2028-rankings-were-posted-this-week-33/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/icymi-2028-rankings-were-posted-this-week-33/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:<strong> Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: </strong>Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about!<strong> <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->