With only a few weeks remaining in the 2023 Florida high school football regular season, we take a look at what we have seen so far and make midseason predictions for the state champion in each respective classification. (Stats as of Saturday, October 7.)
4M – Miami Columbus Explorers
We begin our 2023 Florida high school midseason predictions in Class 4M, with the first of multiple defending state champions on this list, the Miami Columbus Explorers. With only one loss this season, the Explorers are positioned to make another run at a state title. They’re led by senior quarterback Alberto Mendoza, as well as a strong defense.
Others to Watch: Seminole, Lake Mary, Apopka
4S – Lakeland Dreadnaughts
Yes, the defending Class 4S state champions do have two losses – to 2M’s Norland and St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) – but they still get the nod here. Dating to last season, the Dreadnaughts have still yet to lose to a 4S team, and they have showed signs of dominance on defense recently, allowing only a combined 14 points across their last four games.
Others to Watch: Buchholz, Treasure Coast, Venice
3M – St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Having won four consecutive state titles dating to 2019, the Raiders appear set to make it five straight this season. The Raiders have not lost to an in-state team since September 3, 2021, and their lone loss this year was to one of the nation’s premier teams, St. John Bosco (CA).
Others to Watch: Edgewater, Homestead, Tampa Bay Tech
3S – Lake Wales Highlanders
While there certainly are a few others to choose from here, defending state champion Lake Wales is still the pick in Class 3S. The Highlanders have not lost a game since November 11, 2021, and they’ve outscored opponents 201-27 this season.
Others to Watch: Mainland, St. Augustine, Lincoln
2M – Miami Central Rockets
Despite already having two losses in the 2023 Florida high school season, defending state champion Miami Central is still the pick in a loaded Class 2M. Having won four straight state titles, the Rockets are positioned at midseason to make a run at No. 5 on the strength of a very talented defense.
Others to Watch: Norland, American Heritage, Booker T. Washington
2S – Cocoa Tigers
One of the state’s most impressive teams regardless of classification, defending state champion Cocoa gets the nod in Class 2S. The Tigers have yet to lose to a 2S team in the last two seasons; they’ll face their first of 2023 by traveling to Titusville this week.
Others to Watch: Bradford, Bishop Verot, Wakulla
1M – Chaminade-Madonna Lions
We’re picking the defending Class 1M state champions to go back-to-back later this year. The Lions, who have not lost a game since September 3, 2021, have one of the state’s most electric offenses. They’re led by five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and they can score with anyone in the state.
Others to Watch: Clearwater Central Catholic, Benjamin, Cardinal Newman
1S – Cardinal Mooney Cougars
The lone non-defending state champion on this 2023 Florida high school midseason list is Class 1S’s Cardinal Mooney, which gets the nod by a slim margin over multiple teams in this classification. The Cougars have yet to lose to a 1S team this season, and they have an impressive season point differential, having outscored opponents 230-79.
Others to Watch: First Baptist, Trinity Catholic, Lakeland Christian
1R – Hawthorne Hornets
Defending champion Hawthorne gets the nod in Class 1R. The Hornets are unbeaten (6-0), and they have one of the classification’s most impressive point differentials, outscoring opponents a combined 252-59.
Others to Watch: Williston, Madison County, Pahokee
