In a week that provides significant in-state matchups, here are our predictions for some of the top games during Week 7 of the 2024 Florida high school football season.
Venice vs. IMG Academy
One of the state’s best offensive teams, Venice, is averaging 55.8 points per game so far this season. They will put their undefeated 6-0 record on the line this Friday night against arguably their toughest test yet, the IMG Academy Ascenders.
The Ascenders (4-1) are among the state’s top programs and coming off a bye week after their game in Alabama against Central-Phenix City was canceled due to rain.
These two teams have not met since 2020. Expect this matchup to be high-scoring and to certainly live up to the hype.
Prediction: IMG Academy 38, Venice 30
Cocoa vs. Norland
Two of the top teams in their respective classifications, Cocoa and Norland, collide Friday night in a matchup between two exciting offenses.
Cocoa, who is coming off a bye week, sits at 3-2 on the year and is averaging 39.2 PPG. Norland (4-1) is averaging 30.6 PPG so far this season.
This is also a matchup between two of the state’s better quarterbacks in Cocoa’s Brady Hart and Norland’s Ennio Yapoor.
Who will win this showdown?
Prediction: Cocoa 33, Norland 27
Miami Northwestern vs. Miami Central
Two of Miami’s best collide Friday night in South Florida as Northwestern and Central meet for another episode of their head-to-head series.
Miami Northwestern comes into this season’s game sitting at 3-2 overall. Miami Central is one of the state’s hottest teams, having won four straight at 4-1 for the year.
Miami Central has won the last five consecutive matchups against Northwestern, dating back to 2021. Will they make it six Friday?
Prediction: Miami Central 27, Miami Northwestern 24
Monarch vs. Chaminade-Madonna
The biggest Saturday matchup across the state also comes in South Florida as Monarch is set to collide with Chaminade-Madonna.
Monarch sits at 3-1 overall this season, but will be matched up against one of the state’s most talented teams in Chaminade-Madonna, who sits at 4-2 and has won each of their last four games.
Can the Monarch Knights pick up the victory, or will the Chaminade-Madonna Lions make it five straight?
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna 38, Monarch 20
Ensworth (TN) vs. First Baptist Academy
After suffering their first defeat of the season against Bishop Verot last week, First Baptist Academy hits the road Friday night to face one of the top teams in Tennessee, Ensworth.
The Ensworth Tigers sit undefeated at 6-0 and have been outscoring opponents by a combined 215-26. They will certainly provide a challenge for the 4-1 FBA Lions.
First Baptist Academy is a good team, but is this trip to Tennessee too much for the Lions?
Prediction: Ensworth 30, First Baptist Academy 17
Lincoln vs. Gadsden County
We conclude this week’s picks with an intriguing Class 5A versus Class 2A showdown as Lincoln is set to host Gadsden County on Friday night.
Lincoln, who has allowed only 14 PPG to opponents this season, is currently undefeated at 4-0 overall. They welcome to town a 4-1 Gadsden County team whose lone loss came at Coffee (Georgia) 27-14.
These two teams last met in 2022, when Lincoln picked up a 33-0 home victory. Who will win this showdown between the Trojans and Jaguars?
