RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 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 3A has a pair of 2025 state champions in Raines, which stunned nationally ranked Miami Northwestern in the title game , and Cardinal Mooney, which went undefeated in Florida last fall. Perennial national power Miami Central, a regional finalist last season, and Cardinal Gibbons, a Class 2A state semifinalist in 2025, are among the South Florida teams that will be in the mix for a state title. Eau Gallie, Dillard and Merritt Island all have outstanding skill position players and also could make a lengthy postseason run.
Open Division contenders
Cardinal Mooney: The reigning Class 2A state champions are 26-1 in the state of Florida through their last 27 games, and are strong as ever this year. Four-star Florida QB commit Davin Davidson is primed for a huge senior year, and 3-star Connail Jackson returns after a season that saw him put up 2,452 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns. The Cougars also welcomed in Toryeon James, who rushed for 1,941 yards and 28 touchdowns at Riverview — all with 4-star tackle Jackson Snelling leading the charge. Three-star Kaleb Exume (Boston College commit) arrives from Parrish Community and while shine on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Miami Central: Don't count out the Rockets despite some key departing transfers. The secondary is still deep with 3-stars T'ari Miller (Missouri commit), Trezavant Boyd (Illinois commit) and 4-star junior Quinton Rolle Jr. Central starts the year against Jones and at Orange Lutheran (Calif.), then at Carol City to close the year. Run the table in those games, plus a GMAC championship, and the Rockets will be in the mix for an Open Division bid.
Eau Gallie: Three-star QB Joseph Allen is back after missing his sophomore year with injury, and elite ATH X'Zavier Corbin returns after a freshman campaign that saw him put up over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns with 23 tackles and 4 PBUs. Three-star junior tight end Troy Silberzahn committed to Florida State over a slew of other offers, and 4-star LB Gabe Player enters his junior season as a top-5 LB in the nation.
State title contenders
Raines: Don't expect Raines to be resting on any laurels as the defending, undefeated Class 3A champions . The Vikings have a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball, but still have 3-star EDGE Troy Butler and 3-star S Zion Green from last year's squad.
Dillard : The Panther offense will be scary good this year, with 4-star WR Anthony Jennings (Florida commit) leading the charge. Alongside him is 6-foot-4 Isaiah Monestime, and sophomore quarterback Vince Mosley Jr. arrives from Central after earning offers from Miami, Georgia, Florida State, and others this spring. The secondary is firm, with 3-stars Semajay Robinson (Virginia commit) and Tedrick Oatman headlining.
Merritt Island: USF QB commit Kevin Verpaele is one of the top signal-callers in the state, and has weapons in 3-star TE DeShaun Thomas (Pitt commit) and 3-star RB Zaylan Chapple. The Mustangs could be clicking at the right time, and with a much more open road to a state title this year.
Bishop Verot: The Vikings are a well-coached program under head coach Richie Rode, and have the tools for a deep playoff run this season. Three-star Minnesota commit Jyden German headlines an underrated secondary that includes 3-stars Robenson Duclona and Ayden Gonzalez. Rising sophomore Derrick Fletcher clocks in at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds and earned offers from the likes of Florida and Miami after shining at tight end and edge rusher this spring.
Toughest district
District 8: Astronaut, Eau Gallie, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Titusville
This Brevard County district features four playoff teams from 2025 and an Astronaut team that won five games last season. Eau Gallie was a Class 3A state semifinalist in 2024 and a regional finalist last year. Merritt Island was a regional semifinalist and won seven games despite a tough schedule. It wouldn't be a shock for three or four teams from this district to advance to the regional playoffs.
Toughest Region
Region 4
It's a top-heavy region, but it has some heavyweights. Miami Central (District 16) would have been an Open Division team last season and should be one of the top teams in the state this season. Cardinal Gibbons (District 14) was a Class 2A state semifinalist in 2025. Dillard (District 15) was undefeated in the regular season in 2025 and reached the regional semifinal. Bishop Verot, Lely, Glades Central and Key West all were regional semifinalists last season.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Who will win Florida high school football Class 3A? Our top contenders
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