FOOTBALL: 2025 Statewide High School Football Kickoff Primer

The sun has risen on football fields across the state, and thousands of athletes hit the field for the first practices of the new season.

Here at FloridaHSFootball.com, we bring you our first primer of the season – a statewide look to get you geared up with some of the burning questions and storylines as we march toward kickoff of the 2025 season.

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KEY SEASON DATES

Here is a look at the season calendar for 2025. The biggest change to the calendar is the addition of the Universal Bye Week, which has now been added to the Florida High School Athletic Association calendar, effectively creating a de facto Week 12.

The Universal Bye Week originated during the 2024 season after Florida was impacted by several hurricanes, including Idalia and Milton, that warranted the need for teams to have extra time to make up regular season games that counted toward the FHSAA MaxPreps Power Rankings. The Universal Bye Week is only to be used if a team needs to make up a game that was postponed during the 11-week regular season and is not intended for teams to schedule games in advance.

It is assumed—although not yet confirmed—that the FHSAA will not allow teams to play on Friday of the Universal Bye Week and will only permit games to be played Monday through Thursday of that week to make up any necessary contests before final playoff brackets are revealed, most likely on Friday, Nov. 7.

Another change to the calendar comes from the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA), which has added an additional week to its playoff calendar—a change we will explore later in this primer.

Season Calendar Highlights:

• Mon, July 28 – First Day of Practices
• Sat, Aug 2 – First Contact Day in Practices
• Wed, Aug 6 – Sat, Aug 9 – Kickoff Classics for SSAA teams
• Wed, Aug 13 – Sat, Aug 16 – Week 0 for SSAA teams / Kickoff Classics for FHSAA teams
• Wed, Aug 20 – Sat, Aug 23 – Week 1
• Wed, Aug 27 – Sat, Aug 30 – Week 2
• Wed, Sept 3 – Sat, Sept 6 – Week 3
• Wed, Sept 10 – Sat, Sept 13 – Week 4
• Wed, Sept 17 – Sat, Sept 20 – Week 5
• Wed, Sept 24 – Sat, Sept 27 – Week 6
• Wed, Oct 1 – Sat, Oct 4 – Week 7
• Wed, Oct 8 – Sat, Oct 11 – Week 8
• Wed, Oct 15 – Sat, Oct 18 – Week 9
• Wed, Oct 22 – Sat, Oct 25 – Week 10 – End of Regular Season for SSAA
• Wed, Oct 29 – Sat, Nov 1 – Week 11 – End of Regular Season for FHSAA / First Round of SSAA Playoffs
• Mon, Nov 3 – Fri, Nov 6 – Week 12 – Universal Bye Week (FHSAA) if needed (Mon–Thu only) / Second Round of SSAA Playoffs
• Fri, Nov 7 – FHSAA Playoff Bracket Reveal (Tentative)
• Wed, Nov 12 – Sat, Nov 15 – Regional Quarterfinals for Classes 1A–7A, Regional Semifinals for Class Rural, State Semifinals for SSAA
• Thu, Nov 20 – Sat, Nov 22 – Regional Semifinals for Classes 1A–7A, Regional Finals for Class Rural, SSAA State Championships
• Fri, Nov 28 – Sat, Nov 29 – Regional Finals for Classes 1A–7A, State Semifinals for Class Rural
• Fri, Dec 5 – Sat, Dec 6 – State Semifinals for Classes 1A–7A, State Championship for Class Rural
• Wed, Dec 10 – Sat, Dec 13 – State Championships for Classes 1A–7A

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STATEWIDE COACHING CHANGES HIGHLIGHT LANDSCAPE

Over 100 programs around the state have experienced coaching changes this offseason. Here are some of the most notable:

• Apopka: Jeff Rolson stepped down after spring football following six seasons, citing transfers and NIL as factors in his decision. Marcus Nesson takes over after spending time on Rolson’s staff.
• Benjamin: Eric Kresser stepped down after seven seasons; Jason Belser takes over, aiming to keep the Buccaneers playoff-relevant.
• Booker T. Washington: Ice Harris retired after three different stints with the Tornadoes. Dorrean James takes over following a state semifinal run in 2024.
• Chiefland: Adam Gore resigned after a 9–2 season in his third stint as head coach. Veteran coach Cliff Harrell now leads the Indians.
• Dunnellon: Tommy Sutton resigned after three seasons. Alum JB Bynum is stepping in to continue the Tigers’ winning ways.
• Edgewater: Cam Duke left after eight seasons to take a job in Georgia. Patric Browning, with experience at both the college and high school levels, joins from Prairie View A&M to lead the Eagles.
• IMG Academy National: Billy Miller left after three seasons to join Bill Belichick’s staff at North Carolina. Veteran college coach Greg Studrawa takes over.
• Lincoln: Jimmy Tyson stepped down after four seasons. The Trojans promoted Matt Jackson to continue their tradition in Tallahassee.
• Miami Central: Following several forfeitures in 2024, Jube Joseph was dismissed. Miami Killian alum Derrick Gibson is now tasked with returning the Rockets to title contention.
• Miami Jackson: Max Edwards was terminated after one season following the emergence of disturbing video allegations. Eddie Jackson was named head coach in June.
• Niceville: Grant Thompson stepped down after six seasons. Veteran coach Richard Morgan, a proven winner in Georgia, takes over the program.
• Pace: Kent Smith retired after nine seasons. His son, Vance Smith, now takes the reins following a 2024 district title.
• Pensacola Catholic: Matt Adams moved into the athletic director role after eight seasons. Bobby Clayton, from Fort Walton Beach, was hired to lead the Crusaders.
• Riverview (Sarasota): Josh Smithers stepped away after eight seasons. Mark Cristiani now leads the Rams in hopes of keeping them among the region’s elite.
• Rockledge: John Holmes joins from Titusville, where he sparked a resurgence. He now returns to coach his alma mater after Tyrone Giscombe was dismissed before the end of 2024.
• Titusville: Matt Diesel takes over a program on the rise, following Holmes’ departure.
• Trinity Catholic: With John Brantley III stepping down to join Forest, Clint Hart has been named head coach, his first opportunity leading a program.

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WHICH OF THE DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS HAVE THE BEST CHANCES OF REPEATING?

Venice (7A)
Chance to Repeat: Very High
Venice crushed Lake Mary 52–19 and reloaded with several key transfers this offseason. With dominant line play and a deep defensive unit returning, the Indians are the overwhelming favorite to take 7A again.

West Boca Raton (6A)
Chance to Repeat: Low
The Bulls won their first state title with a 21–3 victory over Osceola but lost multiple key seniors and a couple of transfers this offseason. They’ll remain competitive in South Florida, but a repeat is a long shot with Class 6A loaded with talent across the state.

St. Thomas Aquinas (5A)
Chance to Repeat: Very High
A 31–0 shutout over Lakeland capped a sixth straight title run. As always, STA is reloading with elite talent and transfer additions. Barring a major upset, they’re the heavy favorite for a seventh straight crown.

American Heritage (Plantation) (4A)
Chance to Repeat: Moderate
The Patriots outdueled Jones 40–31 for their first state title since 2020. With Byron Louis gone and a tough schedule ahead, the repeat path won’t be easy. But talent remains, and the defense must take a leap for another December run.

Miami Northwestern (3A)
Chance to Repeat: High
The Bulls dismantled Raines 41–0 and return a ton of firepower in 2025. With Miami Central likely the only major roadblock in 3A, Northwestern is in prime position to repeat if they stay disciplined and healthy—especially if Teddy Bridgewater returns to the sidelines.

Cocoa (2A)
Chance to Repeat: High
Cocoa pulled away late in a 38–27 win over Gadsden County for its third straight title. Despite losing stars like Brady Hart and Jayvan Boggs, the Tigers have reloaded with new talent and remain the team to beat in 2A.

Chaminade-Madonna (1A)
Chance to Repeat: Very High
The Lions crushed Clearwater Central Catholic 41–7 for a four-peat and remain loaded. With national-level talent still on the roster, Chaminade is the heavy favorite again — CCC may be the only team capable of keeping it close.

Madison County (Rural)
Chance to Repeat: Moderate
Madison County avenged its 2023 loss by defeating Hawthorne 21–14. Graduation thinned out key spots, but the Cowboys remain physical, well-coached, and always dangerous in the Rural bracket. They’ll be in the mix once again.

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WILL TEDDY BRIDGEWATER BE ON THE SIDELINES COME WEEK 1?

This remains one of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 season. Miami-Dade County Public Schools suspended Bridgewater several weeks ago after an allegation was filed by another FHSAA member school, claiming that Bridgewater had provided Bulls players with impermissible benefits.

The allegation stems from a post Bridgewater made on his personal Facebook page promoting a fundraising effort for his team back on July 14. While the FHSAA has launched an investigation, it has not handed down any sanctions or suspensions at this time.

In a related development last Wednesday, a letter from Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas was made public, urging the FHSAA to review all of its current policies to determine whether they are meeting the needs of student-athletes.

The situation remains fluid, with widespread support from the community and players calling for Bridgewater’s reinstatement by MDCPS. Only time will tell what direction the Bulls take come Week 1, when they open the season against Orange Lutheran out of California.

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SUNSHINE STATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION EXPANDS PLAYOFF BRACKETS

The Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) has expanded its playoff structure in 11-Man, Atlantic League, and 8-Man football for the 2025 season. All three divisions will now feature a 16-team state championship bracket, consisting of eight teams from the North and eight teams from the South.

Teams that do not qualify for the championship bracket will still have the opportunity to participate in additional postseason contests to conclude their seasons.

As a result of this expansion, the SSAA calendar has added one additional playoff round. The SSAA State Championships are scheduled for Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22 at The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium on the campus of The Villages High School in Middleton.

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FHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO MIAMI & THE VILLAGES

The 2025 FHSAA State Championships for Classes 1A through 7A will once again be held at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University in Miami. Games are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, through Saturday, December 13.

The final format and schedule of championship games remain undetermined due to the FHSAA Board of Directors’ decision to add two additional Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) brackets for the 2025 postseason. With the possibility of nine games being played at FIU, the week’s structure will depend on how the FIT expansion is ultimately organized.

For Class Rural, both the state championship game and the Rural FIT bracket championship will be held at The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium in Middleton. Those contests are expected to be played on either Friday, December 5, or Saturday, December 6, to avoid conflicts with the state semifinals for Classes 1A–7A.

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FHSAA EXPANDS FLORIDA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

In June, the FHSAA Board of Directors unanimously voted to expand the Florida Invitational Tournament by creating two new 12-team brackets, following the success of the inaugural Rural FIT in 2024, which was won by Fort Meade.

While specific details have not yet been publicly finalized, it is expected that one bracket will feature smaller programs (likely Classes 1A–3A), and the other will host larger programs (likely Classes 4A–7A).

Teams will be invited based on their final rankings in the FHSAA MaxPreps Power Rankings, and participation will be optional. The location of the new FIT championship games has not been confirmed but may be incorporated into the state championship week at FIU.

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INTERSTATE MATCHUPS GALORE

While it’s difficult to track every out-of-state opponent for Florida teams this season, the 2025 slate is filled with marquee matchups that span coast to coast.

One of the most prominent events will be the Broward County High School National Football Showcase in Week 1, which features eight high-profile games. Among them:

• Chaminade-Madonna vs. St. Frances Academy (MD)
• American Heritage (Plantation) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)
• St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Mater Dei (CA)

Other notable interstate matchups this season include:

• Miami Northwestern vs. Orange Lutheran (CA) – Week 1
• Lakeland at De La Salle (CA) – Week 2
• Columbus vs. Good Counsel (MD) – Week 2
• Jesuit at Valdosta (GA) – Week 3
• Monarch at Don Bosco Prep (NJ) – Week 3
• Gadsden County at East St. Louis (IL) – Week 3
• Mainland at Coffee (GA) – Week 5
• The First Academy at St. Frances Academy (MD) – Week 7

More interstate games will undoubtedly emerge throughout the season, continuing Florida’s reputation for embracing competition against the nation’s best.

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