The first two rounds of the 2024 Florida high school football playoffs have passed, which means that we are now set to begin the regional finals round this week. Ahead of this week’s action, let’s take a look at our six biggest games of the week and make a prediction for each.
Lake Mary vs. Seminole
The top two seeds from the Region 1 portion of the Class 7A bracket collide Friday when the Lake Mary Rams host the Seminole Seminoles.
Lake Mary enters this matchup sitting at 10-2 overall on an eight-game winning streak, while the Seminoles sit at 10-1 having won each of their last four.
These district foes met earlier this season in a game Lake Mary won by a final score of 29-14 at Seminole.
Prediction: Lake Mary 30, Seminole 20
American Heritage vs. Norland
The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in Region 4 of the Class 4A bracket are set to collide when the American Heritage Patriots and Norland Vikings meet Friday night.
Both American Heritage and Norland sit at 9-2 overall so far this season.
These district opponents already met once earlier this season in a game the Vikings won by a final score of 32-27.
Prediction: Norland 30, American Heritage 28
Lakeland vs. Tampa Bay Tech
After a big win last week, the No. 3 seeded Tampa Bay Tech Titans advance to the Region 2 final in Class 5A for a showdown with the No. 1 seeded Lakeland Dreadnaughts.
Lakeland has been one of the state’s top teams throughout the 2024 season, sitting undefeated at 11-0. They will be matched up against a 9-2 Tampa Bay Tech team that has won eight straight.
The Dreadnaughts and Titans last met during the 2020 Class 7A state playoffs in a game Tampa Bay Tech won by a final score of 55-34.
Prediction: Lakeland 33, Tampa Bay Tech 27
Miami Columbus vs. Western
Our next game brings us to the state’s highest classification in 7A, where the Region 4 part of the bracket features No. 1 seeded Miami Columbus hosting No. 7 seeded Western.
Miami Columbus comes into the week riding a three-game winning streak at 8-3 overall. Despite a 6-6 overall record, Western has won their last five games.
The two teams last met a year ago in the Class 4M playoffs, and Miami Columbus came away with a 31-13 victory.
Prediction: Miami Columbus 27, Western 20
Atlantic vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
The Region 4 showdown in Class 5A features the No. 1 seeded Atlantic Eagles welcoming the No. 2 seeded St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders to town.
The Eagles sit at 11-1 on the year and are riding a three-game winning streak, while the Raiders are 9-3 against one of the state’s top schedules.
Atlantic and St. Thomas Aquinas last met during the 2022 Class 3M playoffs with the Raiders picking up a 63-14 victory.
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Atlantic 17
Cardinal Mooney vs. Bishop Verot
Our final matchup brings us to the Region 3 part of the Class 2A bracket where the No. 1 seeded Cardinal Mooney Cougars play host to the No. 2 seeded Bishop Verot Vikings.
Cardinal Mooney is currently undefeated at 11-0 overall for the season, while Bishop Verot is 9-3 and riding a five-game winning streak.
These two teams already met earlier this season in a game the Cougars won at home by a final score of 49-28.
Prediction: Cardinal Mooney 33, Bishop Verot 27
