The 2026 Florida high school football season is near, and it comes with major changes.
Not only are there new classes and districts, but the Florida High School Athletic Association has added the Open Division. The elite, round-robin tournament will put the eight highest-ranked teams in the MaxPreps rankings in their own playoff bracket.
That alone means the regular season games will carry even more weight than they did in the past.
In light of that, here are 26 games to have circled for the ’26 season.
West Boca at American Heritage, Aug. 21
What a way to kick off the 2026 regular season! West Boca, which has won the past two Class 6A state titles, travels to American Heritage to take on the back-to-back Class 4A state champions. And both of these teams are loaded once again.
Eau Gallie at Carrollwood Day, Aug. 21
Two talented playoffs teams loaded with exciting, young playmakers face off in the season opener in Tampa. Four-star junior linebacker Gabriel Player and uber-talented sophomores X’Zavier Corbin and Captain Rolle lead Eau Gallie; Carrollwood has a loaded defensive line with junior four-star edge Antonio Thomas and junior defensive tackle Zylen Little, as well as four-star wide receiver Derrell Hines Jr.
Cardinal Newman at Cardinal Mooney, Aug. 28
Another matchup of teams that won state titles in 2025. Cardinal Newman stunned Chaminade-Madonna for the first championship in program history, while Cardinal Mooney routed Bolles for its second title in the past three seasons.
DeSoto (Texas) at St. Thomas Aquinas, Aug. 29
The headliner of the Broward County Classic features two national powers coming off state championships. Aquinas has won an unprecedented seven consecutive title in 2025 and returns key starters, including five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews. DeSoto won 13 games in 2025 and are led by senior running back Sarod Baker, who rushed for 3,081 yards and 41 touchdowns last year.
American Heritage at Chaminade-Madonna, Sept. 4
Two of South Florida’s once again face off early in the season. Chaminade-Madonna beat American Heritage 28-24 in 2025, thanks to a second-half rally and late goal line stand. Both teams feature new, high-caliber quarterbacks: four-star Texas commit Neimann Lawrence at Heritage and three-star Brady Quinn at Chaminade.
Venice at Lakeland, Sept. 4
This is the first meeting between the two state powers since playing for the 2022 and 2023 Class 4S state championships, both of which were won by the Dreadnaughts. Venice was a Class 7A state semifinalist in 2025, while Lakeland was the Class 5A state runner-up.
Columbus at Miami Palmetto, Sept. 4
The District 16-6A opener features two South Florida powers that are very familiar with each other. Miami Palmetto — a Class 8A state semifinalist in 2025 — beat Columbus twice last season, including a 27-10 win in the regional semifinal.
Jones at Evans, Sept. 5
Jones has been the Class 4A state runner-up the past two seasons, while Evans is looking to build off a promising eight-win season in 2025. Perhaps the Trojans most notable win was stunning Jones 28-25 on the road last season.
Cardinal Newman at West Boca, Sept. 10
Cardinal Nemwan plays three 2025 state champions this season, but this one is for Palm Beach bragging rights. Both teams rushed for more than 220 yards in last year’s 26-20 overtime thriller, which Newman won at home.
Miami Central at Buford (Georgia), Sept. 11
The Rockets, where were a regional finalist in 2025, travel to Georgia to take on the Buford, USA TODAY’s national champion in 2025. Central is led by senior quarterback James Perrone and a talented secondary with the multiple Power 4 commits. Buford returns a talented defense with three-star linebackers Brayden Watson and Ethan Hauser.
IMG at The First Academy, Sept. 18
IMG plays just one Florida opponent this season, but it’s a very good one. The First Academy returns several key players, including four-star offensive lineman Reed Ramsier, three-star cornerback Kamauri Whitfield and three-star athlete Brian Dillard. IMG remains among the nation’s best, led by five-star edge rusher Zyron Forstall and five-star junior quarterback Jayden Wade.
American Heritage at Lakeland, Sept. 18
After being the runner-up in Class 5A the past two seasons, Lakeland coach Marvin Frazier has talked about making sure his team is better prepared for elite South Florida opponents. American Heritage is a nationally ranked squad that has won consecutive state titles.
Mandarin at Raines, Sept. 18
Two of the premier programs teams in Jacksonville face off for the first time since 2018. Raines is coming off a thrilling win over Miami Northwestern in the Class 3A state championship, while Mandarin has a strong team led by five-star junior Brysen Wright. Raines won the last matchup 27-24. For what it’s worth, both Raines and Mandarin went on to win state titles in 2018.
Niceville at Choctawhatchee, Sept. 18
This Emerald Coast rivalry may have hit a new chapter after the way Choctaw won last year’s game. Choctawhatchee didn’t just end Niceville’s 13-year win streak, it routed the Eagles 42-7. Choctaw was a Class 4A state semifinalist last season; Niceville was a Class 5A state semifinalist in 2024.
St. Thomas Aquinas at Chaminade-Madonna, Oct. 2
This doesn’t really need any explanation, right? These two national powers are meeting for third consecutive season. The past two games were both decided by one score, including Aquinas’ 27-21 home win in 2025.
Carol City at Grayson (Georgia), Oct. 2
Carol City plays a very challenging schedule in 2026, including this midseason trip to Georgia. Carol City’s loaded roster includes five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear and four-star edge Aden Johnson. Grayson is a national power with talented offensive and defensive lines, led by four-star offensive lineman Jordan Agbanoma and four-star edge Elijah Tillman.
Venice at Raines, Oct. 2
Two perennial state powers face off in Jacksonville. Venice is led by junior star receiver Tyree Mannings Jr. and senior running back Dorien Jones. Raines will have a much different look this season, but return a lot of young talent including four-star junior athlete Zion Green
Chaminade-Madonna at Cardinal Newman, Oct. 9
Not only is this a rematch of the 2025 Class 1A state championship game, which Newman won 17-14, but it’s also a District 7-2A showdown. Chaminade once again has a potent offense with four-star receivers Tromon Isaac and Armani Strong. Cardinal Newman’s offense will have a different look with junior Pedro Martinez at quarterback
Merritt Island at Eau Gallie, Oct. 9
A District 8-3A showdown with two of the premier teams in Brevard County. Eau Gallie beat Merritt Island twice in an 18-day period in 2025 — a 48-22 win in the district championship game and a 35-14 win in the regional semifinals.
Armwood at Tampa Bay Tech, Oct. 9
This rivalry game is a now a District 9-5A matchup. Armwood has won the past three meetings, including a 28-7 win in 2025. Armwood had one of the stingiest defenses in the state last season, allowing just 72 points in 14 games.
American Heritage at McArthur, Oct. 23
American Heritage travels to McArthur for the District 15-4A finale. Heritage is looking for a third consecutive state title. McArthur, a regional finalist in 2025, has a talented defense led by senior safeties Jaylyn Jones and Sherrod Gourdine.
DeLand at Mainland, Oct. 23
The District 2-6A finale should be another great game between these teams. DeLand beat Mainland 28-20 behind three touchdowns from running back Taihj Moore en route to an undefeated regular season in 2025.
St. Petersburg Catholic at Carrollwood Day, Oct. 23
St. Peterburg Catholic, led by senior quarterback Chase Burrill, went 12-1 and advanced to the regional championship last season. The Barons travel to Carrollwood Day, a Class 1A state semifinalist in 2025, for a key District 8-3A game.
Lakeland at The First Academy, Oct. 30
This regular season finale was a rematch of last year’s instant classic. The First Academy rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to beat the Dreadnaughts 35-28 in double overtime. Royals freshman quarterback Anthony Woods Jr. threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Buchholz at Bolles, Oct. 30
Buchholz has a history of scheduling a tough opponent during the final week of the season, and Bolles certainly fits the bill. Buchholz, led by junior quarterback Andrew Whittemore, has won five consecutive regional titles. Bolles, with record-breaking junior running back Xander Edwards, was the Class 2A state runner-up in 2025.
IMG at St. Frances (Maryland), Nov. 13
The two national powers didn’t play last season because the game was moved to after the early signing period. That should only increase the tension for this one that could have a major impact on the rankings.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 26 Florida high school football games to watch in 2026
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
