![Glades Central looks to reach the playoffs one more in 2026 with some new key athletes on the roster. [@Omar_Haugabook/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-73-Glades-Central-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Glades Central does not rebuild in peace. Every transition is measured against the program’s history, the expectations in Belle Glade...
![Cardinal Gibbons is seeking another deep playoff run in 2026 but it will come in a much deeper Class 3A. [@FootballGibbons/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-74-Cardinal-Gibbons-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Cardinal Gibbons has rarely treated rebuilding as an acceptable part of the vocabulary. The Chiefs graduated the engine of a...
![Miami Palmetto looks to shake off the disappointing end from 2025 with another deep playoff run in 2026. [@PantherPride305/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-75-Miami-Palmetto-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Miami Palmetto has moved beyond the stage where a winning season alone counts as progress. The Panthers went 11-3, played...
![Jupiter Chrisitan is looking to run it back once more in 2026 as the defending SSAA 11-Man State Champions. [Jupiter Christian Football/Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-76-Jupiter-Christian-Eagles-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
A championship-tested quarterback, a disruptive defensive front and two heavyweight home dates give the Eagles another legitimate path through the...
![NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale) looks to make another deep run in the SSAA 11-Man League this season. [University School Football/Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-77-NSU-University-School-Sharks-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
NSU University School enters 2026 with more than a routine coaching transition. Traveon Henry replaces Mike Norman after four seasons...
![Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) is striving for another deep playoff run in 2026. [@BKHS_Football/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-78-Bishop-Kenny-Crusaders-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Bishop Kenny does not need to search for its offensive identity. The Crusaders can hand the ball to Caleb Mattison...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This preview was updated to reflect a recent change in Madison County's schedule. Madison County enters a genuine...
![Mosley (Lynn Haven) is expected to be a favorite for the District 4A-2 Championship. [@MosleyDolphinFB/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-80-Mosley-Dolphins-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Mosley does not enter 2026 needing to invent an identity. The Dolphins already know what works: stretch defenses vertically, feed...
![Sumner (Riverview) will have a tough district road map in 2026 as they compete in District 5A-10 [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-81-Sumner-Stingrays-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Sumner is not rebuilding from scratch. It is replacing the players who made the hardest parts look easy. The Stingrays...
![Beachside (St. Johns) won its district last year and the hopes of repeating as a district champion get much tougher in Class 5A-District 2. [@Beachside_FB/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-82-Beachside-Barracudas-Featured.jpg.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Beachside enters Year 5 under Pete Duffy with something the young program did not possess at the beginning: expectations. The...
![Mainland (Daytona Beach) looks to build upon its regional final run it made in 2025 as it enters the largest classification in Florida in 2026. [redempti0n.photos/Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-83-Mainland-Buccaneers-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Mainland is not easing into its next act. The Buccaneers return a 1,000-yard runner, two highly productive receivers and the...
![South Lake is expected to be highly competitive again in 2026 after reaching the regional finals in 2025. [@footballslhs/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-84-South-Lake-Eagles-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
South Lake is no longer trying to prove Brad Lord’s rebuild works. An 11-win season, a district championship and a...
![Cleawater appears to be the favorite in District 4A-10 in 2026. [@CHS_Tornadoes/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-85-Clearwater-Tornadoes-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
Clearwater does not need to manufacture reasons for optimism. The Tornadoes return an 800-yard running back, one of Pinellas County’s...
![Seminole (Sanford) looks to challenge defending state champion Lake Mary in District 6A-3 in 2026. [@BokeyFootball/X]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-86-Seminole-Fightning-Seminoles-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
The Fighting Seminoles return proven targets, useful pieces in the secondary and several disruptive defensive linemen. What they do not...
![Plantation will face a tough grind ahead in 2026 with a new head coach in place. [Plantation Football/Instagram]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Countdown-To-Kickoff-No.-87-Plantation-Colonels-Featured.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This preview has been corrected to reflect that D’Tyler Marc is no longer on Plantation’s 2026 roster. References...
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