Prediction: Jones (Fla.) meets American Heritage in 4A title rematch

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to Florida to look at Orlando Jones, last year’s Florida FHSAA Class 4A state finalists. After a year in which the Tigers made their way to Pitbull Stadium to face American Heritage and fell short of the ultimate goal. With stars like Dereon Coleman and Larry Miles back on the roster, can Jones get back to the championship game?

Player Spotlight: QB Dereon Coleman

Look, we would sound silly if we started this thing off with anyone other than Dereon Coleman. The Miami commitment heads into the season as one of the best quarterbacks in the country after posting what was a very impressive junior campaign. Coleman in 2024 ended up completing 203 of 279 passes for 3,412 yards and 28 touchdowns. To understand what Coleman means to the Tigers’ success is watching just one of their games this season. When you watch the signal caller move within and out of the pocket, every throw looks effortless coming out of his right hand. Everything offensively starts and stops with Coleman at Jones.

Others to watch: WR Larry Miles, OL Xavier Payne, EDGE Frederick Ards, RB Bertrand DeRose, ATH Lagarion Wilson Jr.

Season Prediction: 10-0

Every thing about this season just creates a lot of parallels to last year. Undefeated regular season. A successful run through the playoffs. Reaching the state championship game. We’ve seen this song and dance before. What changes this time around? Well, we think what is different this fall is the end result. Yep, we’re going to call it now. Jones wins the FHSAA’s Class 4A state championship this fall in South Florida against American Heritage in a rematch. Now as you’re currently rolling your eyes, hear us out. This team has a bunch of players that remember the feeling of how last year ended. Coleman, Larry Miles and Xavier Payne all were on that team that came up just short and we feel that motivation is enough to take them all the way. Recently at Central Florida Media Days at Camping World Stadium, each player mentioned their want to win. That’s every game, including the last one.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – at Winter Park (Fla.) Wildcats – W
Starting off the season on the road, Coleman and crew cruise to a 41-13 victory.

Aug. 29 – at Timber Creek (Fla.) Wolves – W
The Tigers continue their show away from home and roll to another blowout win, this time 45-7.

Sept. 6 – Evans (Fla.) Trojans – W
First test of the season for Jones turns into a rout as the Tigers shellack the Trojans, 38-7.

Sept. 12 – at Edgewater (Fla.) Fighting Eagles – W
In what is shaping up to be Orlando’s public school Game of the Year, the Tigers sneak away with a narrow 28-27 victory.

Sept. 19 – Kissimmee Osceola (Fla.) Kowboys – W
Heading into the meat of the Tigers’ schedule, in what was a thrilling Thursday night game last season, turns into a two-score win this time around.

Sept. 26 – Auburndale (Fla.) Bloodhounds – W
A week before facing Lake Wales in a huge district tilt, Jones takes care of business against a different Polk County foe.

Oct. 10 – at Lake Wales (Fla.) Highlanders – W
This game has a lot of potential to being the best when it comes to just Central Florida football talent. Give us Jones in this crucial district contest.

Oct. 17 – at Wekiva (Fla.) Mustangs – W
Jones faces a feisty Wekiva bunch, but make quick work of the Mustangs on the road.

Oct. 24 – Lake Region (Fla.) Thunder – W
Another Polk County opponent and another victory. Next.

Oct. 31 – Ocoee (Fla.) Rattlers – W
The Tigers, hungry to close out the season undefeated ahead of the Class 4A playoffs, blow by the Rattlers in a rout.