With one of the final slates of the 2024 Florida high school football regular season upon us, let’s take a look at some of the state’s top matchups for Week 11 and make a prediction for each.
St. Frances Academy (MD) vs. IMG Academy
The St. Frances Academy Panthers came down to Florida last week for a matchup with the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders, a game the Panthers won by a final score of 35-7.
One of the nation’s top programs, St. Frances Academy returns to Maryland this week, but will face their second straight Florida team in the IMG Academy Ascenders (6-1).
These two teams are certainly familiar with each other, with IMG Academy having won two in a row since their 2021 loss to St. Frances Academy. Can the Ascenders make it three this Friday night?
Prediction: IMG Academy 27, St. Frances Academy 17
Mandarin vs. St. Augustine
A prominent matchup around the Jacksonville area takes place Thursday night when the Mandarin Mustangs play host to St. Augustine.
Mandarin enters this contest at 7-2 for the year, but will be matched up against a St. Augustine program that is 7-1 and, similarly to the Mustangs, riding a four-game winning streak.
Who will keep their winning streak alive this week, Mandarin or St. Augustine?
Prediction: Mandarin 24, St. Augustine 23
West Boca Raton vs. Atlantic (Delray Beach)
One of the top matchups in South Florida this Friday night will take place in Boca Raton, where the West Boca Raton Bulls will host the Atlantic Eagles in a top Class 6A versus Class 5A showdown.
Both teams have been among the top teams in their respective classes so far this season. Atlantic sits at 7-1 overall. West Boca Raton was at 7-1 with their only loss coming against Western. However, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, by USA Today’s Jon Santucci, Western had to forfeit two games, one of which was their win over West Boca Raton, due to an ineligible player. The Bulls are now 8-0 on the season.
After claiming a 23-22 victory at Atlantic a year ago, can the Bulls make it two straight with a win over the Eagles on Friday?
Prediction: West Boca Raton 30, Atlantic 24
Lake Mary vs. Bishop Moore
Currently riding an impressive five-game winning streak, the Lake Mary Rams will conclude the regular season at home against the Bishop Moore Hornets.
The Rams (7-2) are cemented among the top teams in Class 7A this season, but will certainly be tested by an 8-1 Hornets program whose lone blemish was a 50-15 loss against St. Thomas Aquinas.
This game will also give us an intriguing quarterback matchup, pitting Lake Mary’s Noah Grubbs against Bishop Moore’s Bjorn Jurgensen.
Will Lake Mary or Bishop Moore come away with the victory?
Prediction: Lake Mary 33, Bishop Moore 20
Chiefland vs. Union County
A prominent rural showdown takes place Friday night as the Chiefland Indians host the Union County Fightin’ Tigers.
The Indians currently sit at 7-1 overall coming off a bye week, while the Fightin’ Tigers are currently undefeated for the season at 8-0.
In this Florida high school football sleeper matchup, who will win between Chiefland and Union County?
Prediction: Chiefland 28, Union County 27
Beachside vs. Nease
We conclude with this contest between the Beachside Barracudas and the Nease Panthers.
The Barracudas sit at 7-2 overall for the season, while the Panthers are currently undefeated at 7-0 and outscoring opponents a combined 255-92.
Who will win this showdown between Beachside and Nease on Friday night?
