It’s Week 3 of the 2023 Florida high school football season. Here are our “Pick 6” predictions for the state’s marquee games.
Chaminade-Madonna vs. Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Leading off our Florida high school Week 3 predictions is a road game for Chaminade-Madonna (2-0), which already owns a big out-of-state win this season over St. Frances Academy (MD). The Lions will go for another one Friday night against the Bergen Catholic Crusaders (2-0), who were one of New Jersey’s top teams a year ago at 11-1. They come into this matchup led by four-star Georgia offensive tackle commit Nyier Daniels.
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna 35, Bergen Catholic 17
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Cocoa
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more impressive first two weeks than what the Cocoa Tigers (2-0) have done by defeating Jones and Venice by scores of 22-20 and 31-21, respectively. Next up for the Tigers, however, is likely their toughest test yet, a road trip to defending Class 3M state champion St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1).
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 30, Cocoa 21
Lakeland vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)
After opening their season with a close defeat to IMG Academy, St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) will face another Florida team in defending Class 4S state champions Lakeland (1-1). The Hawks (1-1) were one of Pennsylvania’s top teams a year ago, going 12-1, with their lone loss at the hands of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Prediction: Lakeland 28, St. Joseph’s Prep 27
Booker T. Washington vs. Miami Central
Miami Central (0-1), the defending Class 2M state champion, opened its season last Friday night in Nevada, where the Rockets fell 39-35 to national power Bishop Gorman. As they begin their in-state schedule this week, there is certainly a challenge right away in 2M’s Booker T. Washington (1-0), whom they defeated 36-19 a year ago.
Prediction: Miami Central 35, Booker T. Washington 20
Treasure Coast vs. Seminole
One of Florida high school football’s most impressive teams across the last two weeks, Treasure Coast (2-0) is set for yet another tough test Friday against Seminole (2-0). The teams met last season, with the Seminoles winning 41-22.
Prediction: Treasure Coast 24, Seminole 20
Bartram Trail vs. Mainland
The final matchup of our Florida high school Week 3 predictions comes in this Class 4S vs. 3S showdown. Bartram Trail (2-0) and Mainland (2-0) reached at least the regional finals in their respective classifications a year ago, and both are coming off shutout victories last week: Bartram Trail defeated Seabreeze 55-0, while Mainland topped West Broward 35-0.
Prediction: Mainland 24, Bartram Trail 23
