Numerous teams around the state competed Thursday and Friday nights in the 2023 Florida Kickoff Classic, the final preseason tune-up before the high school football regular season. Following are five notable results that caught our eye.
Treasure Coast 17, Lake Wales 0
One of the most notable results from the 2023 Florida Kickoff Classic was Treasure Coast’s shutout of Lake Wales. It was an impressive defensive showing for the Titans, who went 4-7 a year ago in Class 4S. Lake Wales, which outscored opponents 598-97, finished the 2022 season 15-0 as the 3S state champions.
Plant 28, Wharton 27
In one of the state’s more entertaining games last Friday night, Plant defeated Wharton in overtime. Both teams have a lot of hype surrounding them entering the 2023 season, as Plant finished the 2022 campaign at 9-3 in Class 4M, while Wharton went 8-3 in 3M. Wharton returns one of the state’s top pass rushers in four-star EDGE Booker Pickett Jr.
Carrollwood Day 38, Rockledge 6
Class 1M’s Carrollwood Day posted an impressive result last week as well. The Patriots reached a 1M regional final a year ago and finished 6-4, while the Raiders went 9-3 with a Class 3S regional semifinal appearance.
Jones 38, Jesuit 18
Arguably the top 2023 Florida Kickoff Classic matchup was at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, where Jones defeated Jesuit in a contest between 2022 state semifinalists from Class 3M. Jones finished the year at 11-3, while Jesuit went 9-5.
Lakeland 28, Armwood 13
Lakeland appears poised to continue its winning ways after going undefeated (14-0) to win the Class 4S state title a year ago. The Dreadnaughts picked up an impressive win over Armwood, which went 6-4 as a member of Class 3M last season.
