50 things we observed from Florida's Kickoff Classic weekend

It's that time of the year once again: Florida high school football has returned. 
 
I mean, let’s be serious for a minute now; did it ever really fade into the background of our thoughts? 
 
Ofcourse we understand that the games did not count these past three days but welcome to the new age as many schools went on playing out the games in order to develop their confidence for the first week of the regular season. 
 
Below we present 50 notes we made during Florida’s Kickoff Classic weekend. 
 
1. It is permissible to play games for the win during preseason. 
 
Coaches are going for it in these preseason kickoff classics. Many of the best teams in the state sought to make a statement right off the bat, even though the games did not count for the regular season. Watch programs like Armwood, Orlando Jones, Miami Northwestern and Sanford Seminole and St. Thomas Aquinas as teams that took advantage of this preseason as a build up to the first week of the season. 
 
2. Armwood has arrived 
 
The Hawks have also been part of the ranking bestowed on the state’s best teams since they have been crowned champions of the state three other years. This may have been Evan Davis’ best team, as the Hawks crushed Miami Norland 51-20 in the Miami Super Showdown. Armwood will be one of the teams that will be favored to win the championship at Class 6A. 

3. St. Thomas Aquinas ensure that ‘Broward County Classic’ is not constrained with prior preparations 
 
When St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Bosco clashed last year in the Broward County Classic, the Raiders came out lethargically. One might have been due to the fact that they hae not participated in a peseason game for quite a while. This frustrated Roger Harriott who then decides to set Bishop Verot as the schedule and the results show. The Raiders were thoroughly dominant in a 37-14 spanking of the Vikings and should be ready for next week’s Monday night game. 
 
4. All is well if you don’t go north of NW 95th Street 
 
The Miami Central Rockets had some concerns coming into the season off which they lost four games and were not state champions. Any doubts as to the effectiveness of Jube Joseph’s crew were dispelled with a wrong end 32-0 win over a youthful but talented Ocala Vanguard side. Much will be addressed when they host Lakeland next week. 
 
5. Jones stands out in win against Sanford Seminole 
 
The march to the championship drama unfolded at the Camping World Stadium and the way the Fightin’ Tigers were going about their business, one could easily have thought that they were in fact the best team in the 407. Defeating the Seminoles 43-21 was not simply dominating; it was a message to Winter Park next week that the team is coming to fight. 
 
6. At Miami Northwestern: Teddy Bridgewater’s arrival good for the nation 
 
Most awaited was, therefore, the occasion when Teddy Bridgewater was to lead his high school out to the field on Saturday night a Traz Powell Stadium. This turning out to be successful as Bridgewater took Bulls to victory over Miami Palmetto by 42-7. If there is anything uncertain as the Rocket prepares for Thursday night’s opener against Coconut Creek, it has to be a rethink. 
 
7. Mandarin seems to be well-positioned for a win against Orange Park 

Last season the Mustangs aimed higher than finishing as the Class 4M runner-ups. Packed with talent all over the field and now they are back to do it again. What continued to work according to the plan was Mandarin’s first half where it constructed a 27-0 lead over Orange Park. That is why having players like Jaime Ffrench, Tramell Jones (FSU commit) and Drake Stubbs (Miami commit) makes life a little easier. 
 
8. Venice plays adversity to Gadsden County 
 
If you had Venice getting ready for a halftime deficit to Gadsden County on your preseason bingo card, you ought to get out the scratch-off. The Indians went to half time trailing 12-10 then, upped the gears and won the match 36-19. In any which way you try to slice it, few had anticipated that the Jaguars would come in and offer the Indians the performance they did. Good job to Gadsden County (went 6-5 in 2023), but how does this sit with you for Venice? 
 
9. Delray Atlantic Beach check statement against Palm Beach Central 
 
We foresaw that with the return of several core cogs, this Eagles team would be explosive. We just didn’t expect the to be this dominant. Delray Beach Atlantic rubbed this on Pam Beach Central, humiliating them 46-17 the quick release of signal caller Lincoln Graf and route running by wide receiver Teddy Hoffman. This team is arguably the best in the 561. 
 
10. Manatee demonstrating why they will factor into the Class 5A equation 
 
With Jacquez Green rebuilding down in Manatee after pummeling Ocala Vanguard in the spring, it made you think of that. Coghill is an all-around talent along with the quarterback Army commit Andrew Heidel, a group of athletes, and a strong defensive line; the Hurricanes beat Hillsborough 40-0 during the preseason. Pretty undoubtedly it’s a team you should keep your eye on. 
 
Other points of interests from Florida’s Kickoff Classic Weekend 
 
11. Lakeland who defeated Plant City 14-0 and Bartow 27-0 with the latter somewhat a shocker. Dreadnaughts are go for primetime in the five oh five. 
 
12. Naples just gets on with it. An easy 42-0 win of Gulf Coast proves this team is ready to host the Sarasota Riverview in the coming week. 
 
13. We knew Homestead would be good and behind new quarterback Malachi ‘Bubba’ Lewis, soundly beat Cardinal Newman 22-0. The Broncos are bound to be among the favorites in Class 6A to actually win the title. 
 
14. Niceville always had a two-back set with Connor Mathews (UMass commitment) and Eddie Love Jr. (East Carolina commitment) delivering quite a punch. Both of these will be entertaining to watch all season. 
 
15. After suffering a very poor performance in the spring game against Lakeland, Jesuit came up the big prize by humbling Sumner 36-14. As for how good this Tigers team can really be? Well, a nice showing was necessary. 
 
16. It is always challenging to claim victory away from home, but a team accomplished that when Lake Wales dispatched Treasure Coast 23-14. Despite losing four straight and five of their last six to the eventual Piedmont champion Landrum, the Highlanders continue to stand as Polk County’s second best. 
 
17. We just are not sure what to make of Buchholz’s 7-2 win over Spruce Creek in Mark Whittemore’s return . You can be sure that team RSL has this sorely missed when they no longer have Myles Graham in the backfield. 
 
18. If you ever find that one football game score and the score is 4-3, then you will have your answer. That one was for a part of the Mainland’s 11-3 loss to Eau Gallie. Thought I was watching a soccer game being conducted on the east coast for at least a minute.

19. Chaminade-Madonna's 56-0 win over John Carroll Catholic told us in the words of the late Dennis Green: Indeed, they are who we thought of them to be. 
 
20. Edgewater's got an offense. Beating NFL Academy 51-45 across the Atlantic Ocean was a great one, however, look out for Carter Emmanuel this coming season. 
 
21. Never would have thought that Sebring would be able to pound Winter Haven 62-7. LaVaar Scott proving again why he is one of the best head coaches in the country. 
 
22. Leesburg was dominant and destroyed Dr. Krop 42-0. Frank Scott is ensuring the Yellow Jackets are not caught napping. 
 
23. We knew Cardinal Mooney would still be god coming off a Class 1S state title. Fighting off the Booker team in Sarasota with a score of 45-32, did much to support such ideas. 
 
24. Take it easy, Cocoa. In a 71-0 blowout win over Satellite, a 6-time state champion made no bones about it. Now they practice for Titusville this week, which should be a much closer game. 
 
25. The Apopka area beginning to stagnate? After losing two years prior to the state championship game, the Blue Darters are look-alike on the decline. That is why we weren’t too shocked when Apopka suffered a 35-7 defeat at the hands of Tampa Bay Tech; we have a hunch that 2017 might not be the best year for the team. 
 
26. That was not so much because we had many doubts, but because we liked what we saw of South Sumter in their big win over the Wildcats of Wildwood. Now it is time for Ty Lawrence and the crew to go to Niceville for what should be a great game. 
 
27. Xzavier Jackson will be the starting quarterback for Zephyrhills this coming football season. Jackson passed for 3 td’s in a, 31-26 triumph over East Lake. 
 
28. If Clearwater Central Catholic is acknowledged, the Clearwater Tornadoes deserve their due as well. Thor Jozwiak’s gang then waltzed past Hernando 48-7 and thus posed to be a good warm up for Clearwater as the week one kicked off. 
 
29. That is not the case today; Bradford still has talent in the cupboards. Yes, they paid a price of some ke guys, but a 19-8 thrashing of Columbia assures the Tornadoes will be a team to reckon with come November. 
 
30. The flashes are getting bigger, and Mitchell’s offense is going to be a real treat soon. And as you can probably tell from the 50 plus point outings against Hudson in the spring and 55 points against Palm Harbor University, opposing defenses better beware. 
 
31. The blog cannot be completed without mentioning Noah Grubbs and the Lake Mary Rams. Grubbs played why is regarded as one of the best in the land, completing of 18 of 31 passes for 273 yards and three TDs to lead the Vipers past Oviedo, 40-18. 
 
32. Do not underestimate West Boca Raton’s defense. We are familiar with the case of Mason and Javian Mallory, but the Bulls’ ability to defeat Jupiter 30-0 outright said it all on the defensive front. 
 
33. Coach Mudd’s offense appeared to sputter for a possession too many during a spring game against West Boca Raton, yet Vero Beach was refined in a 41-0 humiliation of Palm Beach Gardens. It is the music they always listen to and always have been listening to, save for the several instances of Indian inspiration that we have been treated to recently; now that’s more like it, Indians. 
 
34. We have to applaud the Tavares Bulldogs after they thrashing Ocala Forest by a score of 48-0. Izayia Williams leads what will be a very good Tavares team. 
 
35. Hialeah finished 9-2, and the bar has been set high for Tony Smith and his Thoroughbreds. Winning over this improved Flanagan team sets up this team for a clash with Carol City on Saturday. 
 
36. This week after the Lakewood Spartans went 2-8 this season the program appears to be showing that it is getting back to normal after a 30-7 win over Palmetto. 
 
37. In Southwest Florida, the team to really watch is Fort Myers. The Green Wave were outstanding in this one that featured last year’s playoff contingent of Barron Collier and Estero. 
 
38. Cardinal Gibbons appeared sharp in a 35-6 victory over Piper but the warm up might not be enough to ready the team for Lake Mary this coming friday. 
 
39. Newberry is likely to be cookin with something small but powerful now. This is really a very talented group, which include defensive linemen Jarquez Carter, committed to Ohio State university and Mykah Newton committed to Miami. 
 
40. Nature Coast might’ve been the second highest on the point production list during the preseason only to Cocoa when they dispatched Citrus 68-0. Rob Kazmier’s team is ready for the challenge and the chances to take a district title and beyond are evident. 
 
41. Whether the recent overreactions were to preseason games or not, in-season transfers will start earlier rather than later. 
 
42. We have not left out the ‘Muck City’ since Pahokee performed brilliantly and with 16 fourth-quarter points in a 23-0 beating of Boynton Beach. 
 
43. Oh yeah, all games on the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) this past weekend qualify for counting. They will start Week 1 with a game already in the bag. 
 
44. Among the team from Charlotte County the Port Charlotte Pirates posted the biggest win with a 37-12 defeat of Sarasota Riverview. The Pirates are proving that they are on the real as they set their sight on a district that has nemesis Dunbar and Naples. 
 
45. Two brick and mortar institutions of Key West were welcomed back to the old playground of Tommy Roberts Stadium and the Conchs duly accounted for Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek 45-21. 
 
46. We just keep saying it, but the Escambia Gators are going to be a problem. Nino Freeman throwing to Ladarian Clardy makes defensive coordinators in Florida Panhandle cringe on Friday nights. 
 
47. It was a shock to the 863 when Davenport defeated Lake Gibson. Most of the time, the Broncos were present and accounted for. 
 
48. Plant has gone on to press the case for being Hillsborough County’s leading team in this 38-3 demolition of Lecanto. The Panthers will now prepare for a gifted Carrollwood Day team this week. 
 
49. Chiefland pitcher Adam Gore, who spent a season in Major League Baseball before suffering a lost 2003 season due to injury, came back in a 38-7 victory against Crystal River. The Indians should be getting back to being themselves this fall. 
 
50. Please join us once again for the new beginning of high school football in Florida for 2024. Buckle up, everyone!