Week 1 of the Florida high school football season is here, which brings about our first “Pick 6” predictions of 2023. Following is a look at six marquee games from a loaded slate across Florida.
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. John Bosco (CA)
Not only the state’s, but arguably the nation’s, biggest matchup this week comes as part of the Broward County National Football Showcase, where defending Class 3M state champion St. Thomas Aquinas opens the 2023 season against California’s St. John Bosco (1-0) on Saturday.
The opponents are two of the nation’s elite programs, with St. Thomas Aquinas winning four straight state titles and the Braves – the CIF 2022 Open Division title winner – perhaps the best team in the country last season.
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 24, St. John Bosco 21
Chaminade-Madonna vs. St. Frances Academy (MD)
After a season-opening 18-0 loss at Buford (GA), things don’t get any easier for Maryland’s St. Frances Academy in this Florida high school Week 1 contest. The Panthers go head-to-head with defending Class 1M state champion Chaminade-Madonna, which has one of Florida’s most electric offenses and lost only once last season, at the hands of Bishop Gorman (NV), en route to its second straight state title.
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna 30, St. Frances Academy 14
Clearwater Academy International vs. Miami Columbus
Perhaps the top in-state matchup in Florida this Friday night comes at Clearwater Academy International. The Knights were one of the state’s top independent teams a year ago, finishing 10-1, and they will host a talented Explorers team that went 14-1 to win the Class 4M state title last season.
Prediction: Miami Columbus 30, Clearwater Academy International 24
Cardinal Gibbons vs. Cardinal Gibbons (NC)
This Florida high school Week 1 game is another prominent matchup in the Broward County National Football Showcase. The Chiefs went 11-2 and reached a Class 2M regional final in 2022. North Carolina’s Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders, who finished 9-3 and made the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, comes in with a 1-0 record.
Prediction: Cardinal Gibbons 28, Cardinal Gibbons (NC) 20
American Heritage vs. St. John’s (DC)
The final matchup of the Broward County National Football Showcase comes Saturday night as American Heritage takes on St. John’s in the season opener for both teams. The Cadets also opened their 2022 season in Florida, falling to Chaminade-Madonna 35-38.
Prediction: American Heritage 35, St. John’s 17
Western vs. Milton (GA)
Our final Florida high school Week 1 prediction is for another matchup in the Broward County National Football Showcase. Western is coming off a 7-4 season and a Class 4M regional semifinal appearance, while Milton (1-0) went 10-4 and reached the Georgia Class 7A state semifinals.
