As we inch closer to the home stretch of the regular season, let’s take a look at our “Pick 6” predictions for Week 8 of the 2024 Florida high school football season.
Chaminade-Madonna vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
We begin with undoubtedly Florida high school football’s top showdown as a pair of state powers collide Friday night when the Chaminade-Madonna Lions and St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders meet.
Chaminade-Madonna (5-2) is among the state’s hottest teams, having won five straight, and St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1) has simply dominated in-state opponents this season, outscoring them a combined 307-65.
Who will win this matchup between two of Florida high school football’s heavyweights?
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Chaminade-Madonna 24
Norland vs. American Heritage
Not far behind that previous matchup for South Florida’s top game this week is Norland versus American Heritage (Plantation), which is a truly star-studded Class 4A-District 15 showdown set to take place Saturday night.
Two of the top teams in the classification, Norland comes into this game sitting at 5-1 this season, while American Heritage is 3-3 coming off a bye week.
Who will win the first meeting between the Vikings and Patriots since 2016?
Prediction: American Heritage 30, Norland 27
Seminole vs. Lake Mary
Another prominent district clash comes in Class 7A between Seminole and Lake Mary Friday night.
The Seminoles (6-0) will be putting their undefeated record on the line against a Lake Mary team that is 4-2 and coming off a dominant last two weeks that includes blowout victories over Hagerty and North Miami Beach.
These two teams played a classic a year ago with Seminole winning at Lake Mary 29-28. Will they play a similar contest Thursday night?
Prediction: Seminole 30, Lake Mary 27
Jones vs. Lake Wales
Add this Class 4A-District 7 showdown to that list of games as well, as Jones will put their undefeated record on the line against Lake Wales. Jones is currently 6-0 and has outscored opponents a combined 212-80, while Lake Wales sits at 5-1 coming off a bye week.
These two teams have not met in over a decade. Who will come away victorious here, the Fightin’ Tigers or the Highlanders?
Prediction: Jones 28, Lake Wales 23
Eau Gallie vs. Merritt Island
Coming off a bye week, the Eau Gallie Commodores will put their undefeated 6-0 record on the line Friday night in district action against the Merritt Island Mustangs. Merritt Island currently sits at 5-1 overall coming off a bye week.
These two teams have played each other three times in the last two seasons, with Eau Gallie owning a 2-1 advantage. Who will win the fourth matchup between these programs?
Prediction: Eau Gallie 27, Merritt Island 24
Mosley vs. Niceville
We conclude with a battle of Class 5A-District 1 unbeatens as the Mosley Dolphins host the Niceville Eagles on Friday night.
Mosley (6-0) has certainly impressed so far this season by averaging 42.8 points per game offensively, but will be matched up against a 6-0 Niceville team that has also enjoyed a strong start to the year in their own right.
These two teams played a classic last season when Mosley won at Niceville 29-28. Will this year’s matchup play out in a similar fashion?
