As the 2024 Florida high school football regular season begins to wind down, let’s look at some of the state’s top matchups from the upcoming Week 9 slate and make some predictions as to who wins each.
Clearwater Central Catholic vs. Venice
We begin this week with a significant Class 1A versus Class 7A clash as the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders get set to play host to the state power Venice Indians.
The Marauders currently sit at an impressive 7-0 for the year, but this will undoubtedly be their toughest test yet against a Venice team that is 6-1 and owns one of the state’s top offenses, averaging 50.1 points per game.
Will the Marauders remain unbeaten Friday night, or will this showdown against the Class 7A power be too much to handle?
Prediction: Venice 42, Clearwater Central Catholic 30
The First Academy vs. Seminole
Yet another prominent Class 1A versus Class 7A clash this Friday night comes in Orlando, where The First Academy Royals host the Seminole Seminoles.
The Royals, who own a few significant victories up to this point in the season, enter this contest at 6-1 overall coming off their first loss. They will be looking to hand the undefeated 6-0 Seminoles their first loss of the 2024 season.
Similar to the previously mentioned Marauders, can this Class 1A program hand the 7A power their first loss of the season Friday night?
Prediction: Seminole 33, The First Academy 24
Miami Northwestern vs. Miami Columbus
A matchup between Miami heavyweights begins the Florida high school football slate this week as Northwestern and Columbus collide Thursday night.
The Miami Northwestern Bulls enter this matchup holding a 4-3 record against a challenging schedule. The Miami Columbus Explorers sit at 5-2 and have won four-straight coming into Thursday.
Miami Columbus has won against Miami Northwestern both times they faced off the last two seasons. Will the Explorers make it three straight years with a victory over the Bulls, or can Northwestern snap that skid Thursday night?
Prediction: Miami Northwestern 28, Miami Columbus 23
Bishop Verot vs. West Boca Raton
A sleeper candidate for the Game of the Week could be this matchup in Fort Myers as the Bishop Verot Vikings welcome the West Boca Raton Bulls to town.
The Vikings currently sit at 4-2 overall for the year, and the Bulls travel carrying a 5-1 record, with their lone loss coming by 1 point at Western.
With this matchup of exciting offenses, don’t be surprised if this game between Bishop Verot and West Boca Raton lives up to the hype.
Prediction: Bishop Verot 30, West Boca Raton 28
Cardinal Newman vs. Melbourne Central Catholic
After a season-opening loss at Homestead, Cardinal Newman has since rattled off seven consecutive victories. The Crusaders now face arguably their toughest test since that opener in this week’s contest against the Melbourne Central Catholic Hustlers.
Cardinal Newman currently sits at 6-1. Melbourne Central Catholic is 5-1 and has outscored opponents a combined 218-62 for the season.
In a battle of one-loss, Class 1A programs, will it be the Crusaders or the Hustlers that continue their winning ways Friday night?
Prediction: Cardinal Newman 30, Melbourne Central Catholic 24
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Monarch
We conclude with this Class 5A versus Class 6A matchup as the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders play host to the Monarch Knights in Fort Lauderdale.
St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) has been one of the state’s top teams so far this year against a challenging schedule. Monarch sits at 4-2, with their losses coming against Seminole and Chaminade-Madonna.
These two programs have faced off the last two seasons. Will the Raiders make it three-straight wins Friday night, or will the Knights pull off the upset?
