August 21
Venice at Plant
Note: Venice will know right away where it stands heading into the season traveling to state power Plant in the Kickoff Classic.
August 28
Manatee at Hoover, AL
Note: The chance to play a national power and on ESPN was to good to pass up, so Manatee will travel to Hoover, AL to kick off its season.
Venice at Stephenville, TX
Note: What a better way to kick off your season than playing in front of 20,000 fans against a Stephenville, Texas team who was 9-4 and made it to the 4A state quarterfinals.
American Heritage (Delray) at Naples
Note: Can’t make it to Hoover or Stephenville then, head over to Naples to watch 3A state runner-up American Heritage take on a Naples team, which lost in the second round of the 6A state playoffs last year.
August 30
Miramar at IMG Academy
Note: One of the rare opportunities IMG fans will have to see their team play against a team from Florida. The top public school in Broward takes on a team loaded with 5 star recruits from Florida and across the country.
September 11
Lincoln at Manatee
Note: Two things could happen here, will it be a beat up Lincoln team that comes in to Manatee after opening with games at Camden County, Niceville and Columbia or will a battle tested Trojan team that could upset the Hurricanes.
September 25
Clewiston at Pahokee
Note: Neighboring rivals from the Muck meet up in this one, where anything can happen.
October 2
DeSoto County at Southeast
Note: District rivals meet up in Bradenton, to the winner is likely the district title, the loser could still be the runner-up or be sitting home come playoff time.
October 9
Lely at Naples
Note: The annual Coconut Bowl game and trophy are at stake in this annual showdown between Naples rivals.
October 16
Cocoa at IMG Academy
Note: The last chance for IMG Academy fans to catch a game against a top quality Florida team. For Cocoa a win over IMG Academy could be the springboard for the Tigers to make another serious run to state.
October 23
Southeast at Hardee
Note: Depending on the outcome of the Southeast-Desoto game, this game will either clinch a district title or possibly send a team home for the playoffs.
October 30
Clewiston at Glades Central
Note: The winner in this one likely claims the District 4A-7 trophy and playoff spot, the loser could be the runner-up or sitting home come playoff time.
Port Charlotte at Charlotte
Note: Battle of the Peace River annual showdown stops in Charlotte this season for the 34th meeting between neighboring rivals, where Charlotte owns a 29-4 edge in the series.
November 6
Southeast at Manatee
Note: Battle of Bradenton, which began in 1962, has been all Manatee lately as the Hurricanes have won eight in a row.
Sarasota at Riverview
Note: The Battle of Sarasota has been annually played since 1960 with Riverview holding a 29-26 all-time lead in the series.
![Three generations of Garcia's pose for a photo from Hillsborough (Tampa) on Sunday, July 12 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. From left to right is Hillsborough Head Coach Earl Garcia Jr., Earl "EJ" Garcia IV, and Earl Garcia III. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-2-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
![The Durant Cougars (Plant City) hold up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Flag during the photo session of the 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Football Media Day on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-1-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
