As was the case in Week 1, our weekly “Pick 6” series includes several massive out-of-state matchups for Florida high school football teams in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Here are our six matchups and predictions for the week.
Bishop Gorman (NV) vs. Miami Central
We begin our 2023 Florida high school Week 2 predictions with the season opener for defending Class 2M state champion Miami Central, which will travel across the country for a Friday night showdown with Nevada’s Bishop Gorman (2-0). Both are elite programs nationally. The Gaels defeated Miami Central 21-20 on September 4, 2021, which also happens to be the last time the Rockets lost a game.
Prediction: Bishop Gorman 24, Miami Central 21
Thompson (AL) vs. IMG Academy
After back-to-back impressive road wins to open the season, IMG Academy (2-0) travels again on Thursday night, this time to Alabama, where it will face one of the Yellowhammer State’s top teams, the Thompson Warriors. Thompson (1-0), which has won the last four Class 7A state titles in Alabama, will be the third team from the state that IMG has faced in as many years. The Ascenders defeated Auburn and Central-Phenix City in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Prediction: IMG Academy 35, Thompson 20
Cardinal Gibbons vs. Chaminade-Madonna
Arguably the biggest in-state matchup this week comes in the south Florida area, where Class 2M’s Cardinal Gibbons (1-0) hosts defending 1M state champion Chaminade-Madonna (1-0). Both the Chiefs and Lions are coming off Week 1 out-of-state victories, as Cardinal Gibbons defeated Cardinal Gibbons (NC) 28-21, while Chaminade-Madonna posted a 35-14 win over St. Frances Academy (MD).
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna 30, Cardinal Gibbons 17
Cocoa vs. Venice
After a 22-20 win over Jones to kick off its 2023 season last Friday night, Cocoa (1-0) is set for another big matchup this week, as the Tigers will host one of the Class 4S’s top teams, Venice (0-1). The Indians, who concluded last season as the 4S runner-up, are coming off a noteworthy Week 1 result in which they lost to Armwood, 34-25.
Prediction: Venice 27, Cocoa 24
Edgewater vs. Clearwater Academy International
One of Class 3M’s top preseason teams, Edgewater (1-0) opened its 2023 season with a win last week, defeating Bishop Moore in a close contest by a final score of 24-19. The Eagles face another tough test this Friday against a Clearwater Academy International (0-1) team that fell to Miami Columbus last week in one of the state’s premier matchups, 28-21.
Prediction: Edgewater 24, Clearwater Academy International 23
Treasure Coast vs. Jesuit
In the final matchup of our 2023 Florida high school Week 2 predictions, Treasure Coast (1-0) takes on Jesuit (1-0). This could be one of the better games across the state Friday night. Both programs are coming off big victories to open the season a week ago, as the Titans defeated Osceola 22-8, while the Tigers topped Wharton 34-20.
Prediction: Jesuit 20, Treasure Coast 17
