Predicting the Florida high school football state champions

Florida high school football is more than just a collection of teams and rivalries; it’s a showcase of talent, determination and community spirit. From South Beach to the Panhandle, these state championship contenders are poised to claim glory in their respective classifications.

Class 7A: Venice

The defending Class 7A state champions start off our list after claiming their fourth title in 2024. Even though the Indians lost quite a bit to graduation, especially on the offense side of the ball, we still think the they bring back enough to repeat as Florida high school football champions. Though head coach John Peacock is still working through who will be his starting quarterback this season, having Miami commitment Asharri Charles anchoring his defensive line makes this a very formidable Venice squad.

Class 6A: West Boca Raton

If you take a quick glance at West Boca Raton’s roster, you quickly realize that the team returns a lot from last season’s squad. Head coach Dylan Potts has built up Bulls’ football program to a point where they are looking to compete on a national level, scheduling Bergen Catholic during the regular season. With arguably one of the best defenses in Florida high school football, this team has a chance to run the table and finish nationally-ranked.

Class 5A: St. Thomas Aquinas

There’s never a question whether the Raiders will be in the title conversation. The 16-time state champions are coming off a 2024 Florida high school football season in which they were doubted at times. Forget about the regular season losses for these guys, especially if they fall to Mater Dei out of the gates. You will see the Raiders hoisting a trophy in mid-December.

Class 4A: Orlando Jones

We can feel every American Heritage coach, player and fan rolling their eyes at this selection, but we saw how this played out a year ago. The Fighting Tigers remember the feeling they felt having to watch the Patriots celebrate winning their first title under head coach Mike Smith. Now you have an entire Jones program starting the season off with a massive chip on their shoulder, including Miami quarterback commit Dereon Coleman, one of the nation’s top passers.

Class 3A: Miami Northwestern

The eight-time state champions return a bevy of talent from last year’s title squad but enter the season under a cloud of uncertainty following the suspension and eventual departure of head coach Teddy Bridgewater. There are still questions surrounding on how the FHSAA plans to handle allegations of impermissible benefits at the program. If the Bulls skate through unpunished, they have likely one of the clearest paths back to winning another state championship. The question is really will they be allowed to do so.

Class 2A: Cardinal Mooney

We go against the grain here and pick a program that reached the Class 2A state semifinals last year. The Cougars bring back one of the most talented rosters, which includes Notre Dame commitment Elijah Golden on the defensive line. Throw in the team returning third-year quarterback Devin Mignery, running back Connail Jackson and wide receiver Kymistrii Young (Purdue commit), this team is primed for a third state title.

Class 1A: Chaminade-Madonna Prep

It’s been a forgone conclusion almost every season that the Lions are going to sleepwalk through the Class 1A playoffs and waltz out of whichever stadium the FHSAA selects for the Florida high school football state championships, and win a title. To actually bet against Chaminade-Madonna would really be one of the wilder predictions to throw out there, so this is honestly the safest choice of them all.

Rural: Madison County

The Cowboys returned to the Florida high school football championship podium when they upended Hawthorne, 21-14, for the Rural state crown last year. That broke a three-year hiatus for Madison County. Now taking a look at the roster head coach Price Harris brings back, it’s easy to see why the Cowboys should be the favorites amongst Florida’s small town schools.