State of Florida Recruiting H.Q. S4, E7: 2026 4-star DL James Johnson
North Fort Myers junior defensive lineman James Johnson and Florida Gators beat reporter Kevin Brockway join hosts Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson.
With all the high-profile matchups the first past two weeks, the 2024 high school football season isn’t giving fans a lot of time to catch their breaths.
That won’t change in Week 3.
The schedule is highlighted by five matchups of teams ranked in the USA Today Florida Network top 25, with a couple of those matchups certain to shake up the national rankings.
Florida high school football Super 25: Who’s No. 1 in the Week 3 poll?
Back-to-back state champion Cocoa travels to IMG. St. Thomas Aquinas hosts Columbus in a matchup of teams that both won consecutive state titles. Plantation-American Heritage plays at Chaminade-Madonna. Lake Mary hosts top-ranked Lakeland and Armwood takes on Tampa Bay Tech.
Here’s a closer look at the top games to watch this week.
Watch HS football games live on NFHS Network
Cocoa (2-0, No. 1 Class 2A) at IMG (1-1, No. 2 USA Today Florida Network Super 25)
Two nationally ranked teams face off in Bradenton. IMG plays its season opener after trips to Utah and New Jersey to start the season. Ascenders quarterback Ty Hawkins (SMU commit) has accounted for four touchdowns in back-to-back games. Cocoa comes into this game riding a 15-game win streak. Tigers wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (UCF commit) had 222 receiving yards and four touchdowns against Mainland last week.
Columbus (1-1, No. 3 Class 7A) at St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1, No. 2 Class 5A)
A matchup of teams that controlled their respective Metro classes the past two seasons. Columbus is looking to rebound after a close loss against Maryland power Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Explorers lone touchdown in the 14-10 loss was a special teams score by Jonathan Nua. Aquinas shut out Boyd Anderson 51-0 last week. The Raiders jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and led by 44 at the half.
American Heritage (1-1, No. 1 Class 4A) at Chaminade-Madonna (0-2, No. 3 Class 1A)
This game features two of the most skilled offenses in the state. American Heritage routed a ranked Western team 51-12 last week. Five-star quarterback Dia Bell threw for 332 yards and five touchdowns in the win. Chaminade, which has not lost more than two games in a season since 2016, was stunned by Ely 35-34 in overtime last week. Five-star running back Derrek Cooper is averaging 136.5 yards per game and has scored four touchdowns.
Watch American Heritage at Chaminade-Madonna
Lakeland (1-0, No. 1 Class 7A) at Lake Mary (2-0, No. 2 Class 7A)
Noah Grubbs (Notre Dame commit) and a potent Lake Mary offense takes on Keon Young (Ole Miss commit) and one of the premier defenses in the state. Lakeland, ranked No. 1 on the USA Today Florida Network Super 25, opened the season with a 16-8 win at Miami Central. Lake Mary running back Isaiah Thomas rushed for two touchdowns in the Rams 24-7 win against Osceola last week.
Tampa Bay Tech (1-1, No. 4 Class 5A) at Armwood (2-0, No. 2 Class 6A)
This is a matchup of two of the most talented teams in Tampa. Tech routed rival Wharton 74-0 last week. Quarterback Darryon Jones threw for 164 yards and four touchdowns and six different Titans receivers caught touchdown passes in the win. Armwood, led by running back Girard Pringle (Miami commit) and wide receiver Tyler Williams (Georgia commit), has scored at least 42 points in each of its first two games.
Watch Tampa Bay Tech at Armwood
Venice (2-0, No. 1 Class 7A) at Bishop Verot (2-0, No. 2 Class 2A)
Venice, which already has wins against two teams ranked in the USA Today Florida Network Super 25, has another tough opponent this week. Venice running back Jamarice Wilder (James Madison commit) had a career night against Miami Northwestern with 314 yards and two touchdowns. Bishop Verot running back Deshon Jenkins rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-12 win against Tampa Catholic last week.
Bolles (1-1, No. 7 Class 2A) at St. Augustine (2-0, No. 3 Class 4A)
Two of the top programs in Northeast Florida face off in a rematch of last year’s thriller, which St. Augustine won 43-36. Bolles quarterback Ethan Drumm (Georgia State commit) threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns against Trinity Christian last week. St. Augustine quarterback Locklan Hewlett (USF commit) has completed 35 of 48 passes (72.9 percent) for 440 yards and three touchdowns.
Watch Bolles at St. Augustine
South Sumter (1-1, No. 5 Class 3A) at Bradford (2-0, No. 6 Class 2A)
Two of the top teams in Class 2S the past two seasons, face off on Friday. South Sumter’s Stanley Young is averaging 150 all-purpose yards per game and has scored four touchdowns three different ways (rushing, receiving, kick return). A typically stingy Bradford defense has been strong once again, allowing three total touchdowns against a pair of 2023 playoff teams this season.
Watch South Sumter at Bradford
Cardinal Newman (2-0, No. 2 Class 1A) at Benjamin (0-2, No. 9 Class 1A)
It’s just Week 3, but the District 12-1A championship will be determined and a playoff spot locked up on Friday night since this is a two-team district. Cardinal Newman, which has four wins against Benjamin the past two years, is coming off an impressive 42-21 win at Carrollwood Day. Benjamin is looking to bounce back after a 31-3 loss against Jesuit last week.
Other top games in Week 3
Trinity Christian at Raines (6:30 p.m., Friday)
Creekside at Spruce Creek (7 p.m., Friday)
Dr. Phillips at Apopka (7 p.m., Friday)
Pine Forest at Niceville (7 p.m., Friday)
Crestview at Choctawhatchee (7 p.m., Friday)
South Dade at Osceola (7 p.m., Friday)
Carrollwood Day at Berkeley Prep (7 p.m., Friday)
West Orange at Titusville (7 p.m., Friday)
Eau Gallie at Heritage (7 p.m., Friday)
Bartram Trail at Ware County (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Valdosta at Jesuit (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Buchholz at Eastside (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Gaither at Durant (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Zephyrhills at Wiregrass Ranch (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Orlando Christian Prep at First Baptist Academy (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Newberry at Vanguard (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Auburndale at Lake Wales (7:30 p.m., Friday)
Manatee at Lowndes (8 p.m., Friday)
Booker T. Washington at Central (7 p.m., Saturday)
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Publish date : 2024-09-03 23:04:00
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