We are now one week away from the much-anticipated start of the 2026 high school football season here in the state of Florida.
After a long off season and plenty of player and coaching moves, we will be able to get answers to so many burning questions. But before that happens, we have some interesting kickoff classic matchups that will take center stage – involving schools in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
TWO GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON TONIGHT
While several programs will get an opportunity to showcase their talents on Thursday – there two games that will feature four impressive teams who are expected to make an impact this season.
Lakeland vs. Pembroke Pines West Broward (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 7. This game will have the defending 5A and 6A state runner ups as part of the “Sports For Change Kickoff Classic”.
The Dreadnaughts are loaded with talent and are one of the programs that everyone will want to watch.
They saw their season come to an end the past two years in the state title game against national power Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Bobcats, playing in their first state championship game last season under the direction of head coach Brian McCartney, saw their dream season come to an end against West Boca Raton.
While they lost plenty of firepower, West Broward will find out tonight what they will need to work on during the season ahead.
LAKELAND DREADNAUGHT (12-4 in 2025)
2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Lakeland Kathleen
9/4 – Venice
9/11 – @Kissimmee Osceola
9/18 – Plantation American Heritage
9/25 – Auburndale
10/2 – Dover Specialty Fit Academy
10/9 - @Sebring
10/16 - @Bartow
10/22 – Lakeland Lake Gibson
10/30 – Orlando The First Academy
PEMBROKE PINES WEST BROWARD BOBCATS (12-3 in 2025)
2026 SCHEDULE
8/27 – McEachern, Georgia
9/4 - @Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
9/10 - @Davie Western
9/17 – Doral Academy
9/25 - @Camden County, Georgia
10/2 – Weston Cypress Bay
10/9 - @Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
10/16 - @West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
10/22 – Miami Senior High
10/30 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Miami Palmetto at Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7. Here are two district champions that are coming off amazing seasons, only to fall short in the race for a state title appearance.
For the Panthers and head coach Mike Manasco, a double overtime loss to Vero Beach in the state semifinals still drives this program who are once again stacked with talent.
While most “experts” are overlooking this team, keep in mind that they return several prospects along with newcomers who can make an impact.
While all the attention is on Miami Christopher Columbus, this could be one of the strongest 6A schools in Florida.
For head coach Jake Pew and the Mavericks, winning a district title was not enough a season ago.
Even though they beat powerhouse Plantation American Heritage during the season, they fell short at home in the state playoffs, ending a year that certainly set the table for the future.
While they are young in some areas, the Mavericks do return several players who are difference makers.
They face a very challenging schedule and will need a tune up like tonight as barometer for the immediate future.
MIAMI PALMETTO PANTHERS (11-3 a year ago).
2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Miami Killian
8/28 – Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
9/4 - @Miami Southridge
9/10 – Miami Christopher Columbus
9/18 – Coral Gables
9/25 – Southwest Miami
10/9 – Homestead
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/22 - @Homestead South Dade
10/30 - @Naples
SOUTHWEST RANCHES ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY MAVERICKS (10-3 a year ago).
2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 - @Royal Palm Beach
8/28 – Jacksonville Bolles
9/4 – Pembroke Pines West Broward
9/11 – Community School of Naples
9/18 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/2 – Pembroke Pines Flanagan
10/9 - @Orlando The First Academy
10/16 - @Coconut Creek
10/23 - @Miami Norland
10/30 - @Miami True North Classical Academy
In addition to those two games, here is a look at this week’s schedule involving Miami-Dade and Broward schools:
THURSDAY, August 13th
Coconut Creek Monarch at Boca Raton Spanish River, 6:30
Davie Western vs. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Flanagan), 7
Fort Lauderdale at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Homestead South Dade at Hollywood McArthur, 7
Miami Edison at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
Miramar at Miami Christopher Columbus, 6
Sunrise Piper at Doral Academy, 7
Southwest Miami at Miami Springs (Milander), 7
FRIDAY, August 14th
Coconut Creek at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 7
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7
North Fort Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Hollywood South Broward, 6
Greenacres John I. Leonard at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 8
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms at Key West, 7
Marathon at South Miami (Tropical Park), 4
Miami Booker T. Washington at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Braddock/Homestead at Miramar Everglades, 6
Miami Carol City at West Boca Raton, 6:30
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Miami Killian at Miami Southridge, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Immaculata LaSalle, 7
Miami Northwestern at Wellington Palm Beach Central, 7
North Miami at Royal Palm Beach, 6:30
Orlando Jones at Miami Central (Milander), 7:30
Weston Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7
SATURDAY, August 15th
Miami Norland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 7
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kickoff Classics Start Today In Miami-Dade County. https://larryblustein.com/news/kickoff-classics-start-today-in-miami-dade-county