Florida High School Football Games of the Week: Aug. 21-23

The 2025 Florida high school football season explodes onto the scene this week, and the stakes are higher than ever. Not only are local rivalries reignited, but several Sunshine State squads are stepping into the spotlight with nationally-televised matchups against out-of-state powers. This opening week offers a unique blend of classic Florida face-offs and high-profile showdowns, providing a crucial early test for teams with championship aspirations.

Here are five games that will have everyone talking, from the local die-hards to national analysts and everyone in-between.

No. 9 American Heritage vs. St. Joseph’s Prep School (Pa.)

When: Friday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

This is technically a neutral site game as part of the Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase. Technically. American Heritage plays its home football games just 10 miles from Brian Piccolo Memoria Stadium, while St. Joseph’s Prep‘s home contests are, ahem, a little further away.

This will mark the first-ever meeting between these two national powers. The Hawks are the top-ranked team in Pennsylvania according to Massey, while the Patriots are No. 9 in Florida. Both teams will be looking to make a statement right out of the gates in front of a national ESPN2 audience.

Five-star Texas Longhorn commit Dia Bell leads a potent American Heritage offensive attack that averaged 30.9 points per game in 2024. The Patriots’ defense will have its hands full with a St. Joseph’s offense that features junior quarterback Charlie Foulke and sophomore receiver Jett Harrison, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison.

Massey Prediction: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, American Heritage 14

No. 3 Venice at No. 10 Tampa Bay Tech

When: Friday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Titan Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

The four-time state champion Venice Indians will travel up Interstate 75 and open the season against the Tampa Bay Tech.

The third-ranked Indians were in midseason form last week, shellacking Gadsden County 42-12 in a preseason exhibition. Perhaps the most notable development from Venice’s kickoff classic was that Sean Long appeared to have gained an edge on Alex Schafer for the starting quarterback job. Running back Dorien Jones, who rushed for 1,398 yards and scored 17 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024, should be the focal-point of the Indians’ offense.

Tampa Bay Tech lost a shootout with Venice last season, 63-40, but features a number of FBS prospects, including three-star running back Javari Barnett (Alabama commit) and three-star offensive lineman Canon Pickett (Miami commit).

Massey Prediction: Venice 41, Tampa Bay Tech 27

Mater Dei (Calif.) at No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas

When: Saturday, Aug. 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The top-ranked team in the country, Mater Dei, takes the 2,700-mile trip across the country to take on St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 5 in the latest Florida high school football rankings, at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium. 

For the Raiders, the last couple of Broward County Classics haven’t exactly gone to plan as they lost to Bishop Gorman (Nev.) last season and St. John Bosco (Calif.) the year before. Those early season losses didn’t hurt too bad as Aquinas is on a quest to win a unprecedented seventh-straight FHSAA state championship this fall. The Raiders’ defense will have their hands full in looking to slow down Mater Dei’s offense with five-star tight end Mark Bowman (USC commit), five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit) and three-star quarterback Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin) at the controls.

Of all the Broward Showcase games, this one brings the most intrigue of them all.

Massey Prediction: Mater Dei 42, St. Thomas Aquinas 7

Orange Lutheran (Calif.) at No. 2 Miami Northwestern

When: Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Traz Powell Stadium, Miami, Fla.

The show must go at Miami Northwestern and, despite the departure of head coach Teddy Bridgewater, the Bulls were locked in this past Saturday and pasted nine-time state champion Lakeland, 40-3, in an exhibition game.

Northwestern heads into the season as the second-ranked team in Florida high school football. The team’s offense is scary good, featuring a star-studded receiving corps of five-star Syracuse commit Calvin Russell, four-star junior Nick Lennearand FAU pledge Nicsaint Joseph. Bulls’ senior Leon Strawder and sophomore transfer Niemann Lawrence both saw time behind center last week against the Dreadnaughts, forming what could be the best 1-2 QB punch in the state.

Orange Lutheran will represent a stern test for the Bulls. The Lancers are ranked No. 18 nationally, according to Massey, and play in California’s vaunted Trinity League. Four-star offensive linemen Samuelu Utu (Alabama commit) and Lucas Rhoa may have their hands full against Northwestern’s defensive line.

Massey Prediction: Orange Lutheran 28, Northwestern 22

St. Frances Academy (Md.) vs. No. 4 Chaminade-Madonna

When: Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
Where: Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

St. Frances Academy and Chaminade-Madonna last squared off in Fort Lauderdale back in 2023, with the Lions prevailing 35-14. This time around, there’s no Jeremiah Smith and Chaminade-Madonna is a different kind of team all around.

The Lions topped West Boca Raton in a preseason exhibition last week, but the final margin of 18-10 was surprisingly narrow. Four-star running back Derrek Cooper (Texas commit) and four-star receiver Jasen Lopez, who amassed 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024, will need to have big games if Chaminade-Madonna is to come out victorious..

The Panthers enter this matchup ranked No. 7 nationally and No. 1 in Maryland. Few, if any, high school teams in America can match the star power on St. Frances Academy’s roster. Indeed, most of the players on the team’s defensive two-deep are legitimate Power Four prospects, led by five-star edge rusher Zion Elee and five-star safety Jireh Edwards.

Massey Prediction: St. Frances Academy 39, Chaminade-Madonna 14

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement in the Sunshine State.