Florida high school football, here are some of the state’s biggest matchups in Week 4, headlined by a few showdowns in the South Florida area.
Norland vs. Miami Northwestern
The biggest matchup in South Florida this week comes on Friday night in Miami, where the Norland Vikings and Miami Northwestern Bulls will collide for the first time since 2021.
Norland (2-0) will be rested coming off a bye week.
Miami Northwestern (2-1) got back in the win column last week with a dominant 42-7 victory at Carol City.
Expect a close contest here between two of South Florida’s most talented programs.
Prediction: Miami Northwestern 28, Norland 24
Naples vs. American Heritage
The Naples Golden Eagles will welcome the American Heritage Patriots to town for an intriguing showdown.
Naples (3-0) comes into this matchup undefeated with victories over Riverview (Sarasota), Barron Collier, and Immokalee.
American Heritage sits at 1-2, with their two losses coming against Milton (Georgia) and Chaminade-Madonna.
The Patriots have won this head-to-head matchup each of the last two seasons. Can they make it three straight this Friday night?
Prediction: American Heritage 33, Naples 17
Miami Palmetto vs. Miami Columbus
Yet another South Florida contest, Miami Palmetto and Miami Columbus will collide Friday for a Class 7A-District 16 showdown.
The beginning of the season has been rough for Miami Columbus (1-2), but their losses have come against a pair of power programs in Our Lady of Good Counsel (Maryland) and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Miami Palmetto is off to a 1-1 start to the year.
These two opponents are certainly familiar with each other. Can Palmetto top Columbus for the first time since 2021 to snap their five-game losing streak?
Prediction: Miami Columbus 23, Miami Palmetto 17
Jones vs. Edgewater
Saturday’s biggest contest in Florida high school football comes in Orlando, where Jones (2-0) is set to host Edgewater (2-1) for the latest edition of their head-to-head history.
The Fightin’ Tigers and Eagles have met six different times, sometimes in the playoffs, dating back to the 2020 season; the series is split evenly at 3-3 over that span.
With both programs off to strong starts this season, expect yet another classic from these two teams.
Prediction: Jones 30, Edgewater 28
Bradford vs. Mandarin
The Mandarin Mustangs (3-0) are set for their toughest test yet as they travel to face the Bradford Tornadoes Friday night.
Bradford also comes into this matchup undefeated at 3-0, owning home wins over Dunnellon and South Sumter and a road victory at Baker County.
As one of the state’s most talented teams and led by five-star Texas wide receiver commit Jaime Ffrench, the Mustangs are certainly on a roll to start the season. Can the Tornadoes put a stop to that undefeated start?
Prediction: Mandarin 33, Bradford 17
Seminole vs. Monarch
We conclude this week’s predictions with an intriguing showdown in Sanford, Florida, between Seminole and Monarch, two programs that made deep runs in the Class 4M playoffs a year ago.
Seminole is off to an undefeated start with wins over Heritage and Lyman, while Monarch enters the week at 1-0 overall coming off a bye week.
Simply put, if you’re looking for an underrated matchup this Friday night, keep an eye on this one.
