Lakeland vs. Osceola
Headlining this week’s slate of Florida high school semifinal matchups is this massive Class 4S showdown between Lakeland (12-0) and Osceola (10-3), two teams in the Top 10 of our Classes 3-4 Top 25 rankings. The undefeated Dreadnaughts and Kowboys have already played once this season, with Lakeland defeating Osceola 25-22 in what was their lone one-possession game of the year up to this point.
Prediction: Lakeland 28, Osceola 21
Palm Beach Central vs. Apopka
Class 4M also has one of the biggest semifinal matchups in Florida Friday night as Palm Beach Central (12-1) and Apopka (10-3) face off, with the winner awaiting the victor of Miami Columbus-Ocoee in the state title game. This game likely will come down to the matchup between a Broncos offense that averages 40.1 PPG and a Blue Darters defense that’s allowing only 15.4 PPG.
Prediction: Apopka 20, Palm Beach Central 17
University Christian vs. Clearwater Central Catholic
University Christian (11-1) avenged its lone loss of the season a week ago by defeating Trinity Christian 36-27 and is now a win away from a state title game appearance. Next up for the Christians is a Clearwater Central Catholic team that is also 11-1 and has not lost a game since September 2.
Prediction: University Christian 30, Clearwater Central Catholic 28
Bradford vs. Cocoa
While Florida State-Bishop Verot is also an intriguing matchup, it’s not hard to see why Bradford (12-1) vs. Cocoa (9-3) is the biggest this week in Class 2S. The Tornadoes have one of the state’s top scoring defenses – they’re allowing only 3.7 PPG – and the Tigers are elite as well, allowing 12.1 PPG.
Prediction: Cocoa 24, Bradford 14
Jones vs. Homestead
The first of two massive Florida semifinal matchups in Class 3M this week, Jones (11-2) and Homestead (11-2) are set to collide with a trip to the state title game on the line. The Fightin’ Tigers, who have won 10 straight, are coming off one of the state’s most impressive victories by defeating Edgewater 43-12, while the Broncos enter Friday’s game having won five in a row.
Prediction: Jones 30, Homestead 24
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Jesuit
This week’s Florida Pick-6 concludes with that second big Class 3M matchup, this one between St. Thomas Aquinas (12-0) and Jesuit (9-4), two teams that won state titles a year ago. The Raiders have one of the state’s most talented teams among all classifications. The Tigers, with plenty of talent themselves, have allowed only 10 total points during the playoffs.
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Jesuit 17
