RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe 2026 Florida high school football season will have a different feel than any prior.
Not only are there fewer classes (six down from eight), which means new rivalries, but the Florida High School Athletic Association has added an Open Division .
The round-robin tournament will take the top eight ranked teams , regardless of classification, and have them play in their own playoff bracket this fall.
As the 2026 season approaches, the USA TODAY Florida Network is looking at each of the six classes to see which teams have the best chance of a getting into the Open Division, which teams are top contenders to lift the championship trophy in December and what playoff brackets could prove the most difficult.
Class 2A has perennial powerhouses in Chaminade-Madonna and Bolles, as well as a Carol City team that has put together one of the most talented rosters in the country this offseason. Cardinal Newman, which downed Chaminade for the Class 1A title last year, also moves up a class and has all the tools to make a run at another championship.
Open Division contenders
Chaminade-Madonna: The nine-time state champions' perennial dominance were a driving force for the creation of the Open Division, and the Lions are as loaded as ever in its inaugural season. Chaminade has elite prospects all over the field, but the receiving core is particularly stacked with 4-stars Ah'mari Stevens (LSU commit), Armani Strong (Florida commit), and Tromon Isaac — with 4-star QB Brady Quinn arriving from Lely to run the show.
Carol City: After going 6-5 last season, the Chiefs enter the year ranked No. 20 in the USA TODAY National Super 25 . Carol City brought in dozens of transfers after hiring Chaminade-Madonna offensive coordinator Toro Wallace as head coach, but none bigger than 5-star WR Nick Lennear (Miami commit). The Chiefs are loaded with 4-stars than can play both ways, and will be a threat to run the table if they are clicking at the end of the year.
Bolles : The Bulldogs return most of their core after falling in the Class 2A state championship last year . Four-star RB Xander Edwards led the state in rushing yards last year with 2,629 yards and 44 touchdowns on 265 carries. 4-star QB Jaxon Flowers is primed for a big junior year as the full-time starter, and 4-star TE J.C. Wessell arrives from Georgia. 5-star EDGE Asher Ghioto is widely-heralded as the top defensive recruit in the class of 2028.
State title contenders
Cardinal Newman : The same Crusader defense that interrupted Chaminade-Madonna's 5-peat in last year's state championship returns a solid chunk of it's young talent, including 3-star EDGEs Ty Kirkpatrick and Michael Louidort, plus 4-star ATH Kahlil Gabuad. Cardinal Newman's schedule is one of the toughest in the state, and a run at an open division bid is not out of the question — much less another appearance in a state title game.
Clearwater Central Catholic: The Marauders are high on the list of teams nobody wants to see in the playoffs, and this year is no different. Khayse Barrett looked impressive at quarterback this spring, protected by a stout line and with a talented receiver group of Malik Newton and Luke Wilson. The secondary is set with 3-stars Harrell Clyde (Georgia State commit) and Daveon Belhomme.
Bradford: The Tornadoes have not won less than 10 games in a season since 2021, and return Cade Cubbedge, who tossed for 1,832 yards and 24 touchdowns last year, along with Iyen Addison coming off of a 1,000 rushing yard season. Three-star ATH Jordan Cason (Northwestern) was foundational on both sides of the ball and returns for his senior campaign.
Toughest district
District 7: Cardinal Newman, Chaminade-Madonna, St. Andrew's
On top of a national powerhouse in Chaminade-Madonna and a reigning state champion in Cardinal Newman, this district also includes a St. Andrew's squad that finished last year 10-2 and returns Navy All-American Wesley Winn.
Toughest region
Region 3
This region includes the above-listed district, as well as Carol City and Miami Edison in District 8. Class 2A-Region 3 has an argument for the best group of teams that could face each other in the playoffs, but several will almost certainly be playing for an Open Division championship instead.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Who will win Florida high school football Class 2A? Our top contenders
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