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This the FHSAA definition for the issue at hand: An “impermissible benefit” is any arrangement, assistance or benefit that is not offered or generally made available to all students and/or their families who apply to or attend a school, or that otherwise is prohibited by FHSAA rules. Receipt of a benefit by a student-athlete or his/her family is not a violation of FHSAA rules if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the school’s students or family members and is not based in any way on athletic interest, potential or performance. A student who is found to have accepted an impermissible benefit will be ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition for one or more years at the school to which the student accepted the impermissible benefit and may be declared ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition at all member schools for one or more years. Specific examples are listed here: https://fhsaa.com/documents/2020/4/14//Policy_37_2_2.pdf?id=71 There is no mention of the impact of blood relations, nor am I familiar with the NCAA regulations during Marcus Vick's career from 2002-2005. But these are the regulations that apply in this case.

I was just looking at the state of GA HC top 100 salaries list and it is crazy how much more they get paid than a Florida coach. Even the 100th ranked coach on the list makes $100k+. How the heck can other states pay coaches well while this dumb ass state, with the best talent pool in the nation, can't even pay a coach minimum wage for all the time they put in? https://www.si.com/high-school/georgia/georgia-high-school-football-top-100-head-coaching-salaries-01jwgttnkwbz

because they are cheating. They should suspend the entire program and not allow them in the playoffs for two years. It's one thing to give a kid a ride home from practice that lives in your zone and its another to be paying for rides for kids that don't live in your zone and wouldn't be coming to your school if you were not paying for them to get there. This was the pattern and not just a random occurrence. The physical therapy and paying for personal training is also enticement. There is a reason they got 60 recruits errrr transfers over the last two years. The school suspended him because the fhsaa is about to hammer them. Bridgewater will get a minimum 6 games suspension and a $5k fine from the fhsaa. The next time he will be suspended from ever coaching in Florida. The school is facing harsh penalties and they are trying to avoid them. The other stuff pride packs, team meals, field paint, camps could have been paid for by the school. He could have just donated the money to the school and paid for it. I'm not sure how to feel in this case. I'm sure Teddy loves Northwestern and loves those kids but he was either oblivious to the rules or didn't care to follow them.

Made a second pass through Maxpreps for all 576 (11-man teams). Yes, it takes a while. Here's what I've come up with through this morning: 265 Schedules are complete (assumes 10 game regular season beginning either Week 0 for SSAA or Week 1 for everyone else, unless out of state opponent. 311 Schedules have problems. Here's the breakdown: 218 schedules reflect less than 10 games 88 schedules are impacted by conflicts. ie. Team having more than one opponent on the same day- or- scheduled opponent has more than one opponent on that day. 5 teams have 11 games scheduled. Seems like there's a lot of information to be gathered and rectified over the next few weeks.

Wow and that’s the website the FHSAA uses for its rankings? What a crap show. Good luck finding the real schedules. The FHSAA doesn’t do anything to help. Georgia puts their on their website for all to see. A simple link that has every team and every schedule. One stop shop. The SSAA isn’t any better. I was trying to update scores from last year and they don’t even have the results from last year. Maxpreps and Scorestream aren’t even reliable either. Crazy that in 2024-25, you can find reputable sites for simple information like high school football schedules and scores

What remains to be seen are the short and long-term ramifications. It goes without saying that at the very least there might be some kind of sanction(s) levied against the coach and players. I hope this doesn't completely implode the program.

this x1 million. he could have just donated his cash to the school, even as a volunteer head coach, and the school could have purchased all of it, to no issue. the uber rides is literally the main issue( at least I think). uber picks up a kid 30 miles away, 3 miles away, 1 mile away and he is technically zoned for another school.....thats a problem. as far as tfa and what they did, it was this part, the uber rides, but the non school employee that rhymes with soffit, not only did he pay for the ubers, but they got those same kids on the field in spring and summer and they were not enrolled at the school.....yet....and he ubered them there for that too! all over orlando sports pages, teddy broke the rules, he is a school employee, even tho he says hes not. hes the head football coach, wether paid or not, he had to do background checks and etc....making him and employee of the school district. he broke the rules, which Im sure every coach in this poorly funded state has done same or similar, he went public with it. asking for donations, fine, dont spill the tea on what you been doing!

TFA was doing way more than just a few slap on the wrist actions. They are recruiting around the state and haven't stopped. MNW probably has an outcry because a coach did it out of the kindness of his heart and love for the kids. Hard to look at that in the same way as TFA which is all business and gives zeros shits about their kids. To be fair, TFA kids give zero shits about their school as it is a mutual business decision. However, rules are rules and Teddy broke the rules so consequences are due no matter the intent.

If Bridgewater does get 'taken down,' I'd like to see him take a whole bunch of other guys down with him. No reason why he should be the singular sacrificial lamb.

I think the argument is this: if 'free adults are allowed to give gifts to poor kids who happen to be good at sports,' we move from an amateur environment into a professional environment. Historically, high school sports, college sports and even the Olympics were reserved solely for amateur athletes. Within the last couple of decades, the barriers for professionals started to erode for the Olympics. You may recall that Jim Thorpe won gold medals in track in the 1912 Olympics, but was stripped of those medals because he had played minor league (or "semipro") baseball prior to participating in the Olympics. Ultimately, those medals were restored a few years ago. The USA Olympic basketball team used to be comprised only of college players. Now, it's all pros (with one or two college stars). Within the last 5-10 years, NIL changes have permitted college athletes to receive compensation. Before then, the rules in place for decades allowed college student-athletes to receive room, board and tuition. The $100 post-game handshakes from alums in the locker room and brown paper bags filled with money - although they happened everywhere - were illegal (and arguably still are; they just don't happen as much because the athletes can receive money legally through NIL). The NIL world is quickly filtering down to the high school level. However, the rules in most all states, and certainly in Florida, are rooted in the concept that only amateur athletes can compete in high school sports. And if you allow athletes to receive gifts, or otherwise compensate them or their families, such athletes are no longer considered amateurs. Simply put, the rules has always been that if you get compensated to do play a sport, you are considered a professional. And professionals cannot participate in amateur sports. Again, the rules in place (FHSAA Rules) are rooted in a clear distinction between amateur sports and professional sports. There was a clear line that is slowly becoming more and more blurred. If you want the argument as to why the rule makes sense, I think it is this: there is a certain beauty in amateur sports, knowing that everyone who is playing is playing for the love of the game and not for money. Everything changes once you start compensating athletes. As I have stated before, the concept of compensation is a slippery slope. What do you allow and what don't you? FHSAA rules prohibiting impermissible benefits were written before Uber even existed. But the rule is pretty clear: if you give something to football players that you don't give to all other students, that's an impermissible benefit - especially if the benefit is given to entice a kid to come to your school. If you allow schools/coaches/alums to compensate kids to play sports, then you take away the somewhat-level playing field. And, over time, certain schools will dominate high school sports because they will have the financial wherewithal to attract the most talented athletes. While this might be good for the handful of select, talented athletes, everyone else suffers. I guess the real question is whether we just want to eliminate the distinction between amateur athletics and professional athletics altogether and simply allow the free-market system to play out for all athletes and all schools? If you're inclined to answer this question with a "yes," I have only six words for you: be careful what you wish for.

Some kids NEED to transfer to get in the best position to change the trajectory of their entire life. Could literally save their life. Difference between going to college and being stuck in your neighborhood getting lost to streets. And I can only speak for myself, but I’m more interested in a at-risk kid changing his situation for the better in hopes of saving his life than your favorite high school team losing a game because he transferred from your favorite school.

I know we already have a thread about “Must See” classic games, but can we compile a list of all the preseason games? They should not appear on MaxPreps (although a few do list them there). I know a few in SW Florida Aubrey Rogers @ Cape Coral Barron Collier @ Cooper City Riverdale @ Dunbar Gulf Coast @ Naples Immokalee @ South Ft. Myers Oasis @ Palmetto Ridge Sarasota Riverview @ Port Charlotte

Sarasota Riverview @ Port Charlotte Riverview gonna get boat raced

NFHS has a start time of 3:00pm for the Carol City/Lincoln game on Saturday August 16

Here is the full film: Year of the Bull

MarkECannon, If the FHSAA pays me, I'll do it. And I'll do it right. Nolebull813, Your list of new teams looks good but I'm not too sure about Victory Christian (Kissimmee). They fielded a team awhile back for a year or two. I have a feeling it may be a "sausage fingered" entry on a couple teams schedules, and they entered the Kissimmee school instead of Victory Christian (Lakeland). Just a guess. Also, Graceland is starting up again this year after a brief hiatus.

I remember back in 1907 when Lakeland got hosed by Bartow. Score was 53-0 but it was closer to all of us in attendance that day. The forward pass was invented in 1906 and Lakeland was trying it for the first time. I think the refs thought they were cheating. Anyways. Top win in Bartow history

If you need a backup option On October 3, Coral Shores plays against Marathon in the “battle of the Keys”!!! Monroe County longest rivalry. https://keysweekly.com/42/sports-wrap-marathon-vs-coral-shores-historic-rivalry/

It's on our "to do" list, maybe next year if not this year. We love going to KW. We made it from The Fort in 5.5 hours last time, and that was stopping for a long lunch on Islamorada. Their stadium looks nice. I think we'll make a long weekend of it, maybe finding a Thursday game in the Miami area, then leaving on Friday morning and coming back on Monday. We've seen the Conchs play a couple of times, once at PSL West Centennial and once at Southfork. Going in September or early October, the traffic shouldn't be too bad. It won't be a high level of football, but the right opponent might give you a competitive game in a unique setting.

So, our first week of games is looking like.... Thursday - Chaminade v West Boca Friday - Norland v Vero Saturday - Carol City v Lincoln Saturday - NW v Lakeland What a wonderful world we live in...

Pace and Pensacola Catholic are the 2 top teams in the area. Also Niceville and Choctaw if you want to expand it a little. Those 4 would be the teams to rep the far West of the panhandle

No argument there. I like seeing the variety at the Vero Beach event. I’m sure I’ll see the Chaminade and West Boca Raton each play this year. Probably multiple times.

I'm thinking this might be too far of a trip for that Lakeland guy who wears a boat on his head.

I’m hearing , it’s Lakeland vs Miami northwestern, Vero Vs Miami norland , and carol city vs Lincoln Tallahassee

Although not much is known yet, apparently it’s the marquee game of the “Treasure Coast Kickoff Classic”- an event being put on by the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Nothing else has been announced but I would expect Vero to play Friday night August 15, but as they have not made any schedule announcements yet this year, so their opponent is TBD. This is the first time Vero has ever hosted an event like this, as they’ve always played a traditional KOC game that week.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/high-schools/2025/07/17/another-coaching-milestone-awaits-hillsborough-highs-earl-garcia/

Does anyone have a complete list of 11 man SSAA teams and their conferences/divisions? Also, it appears they may begin their regular season one week earlier while everyone else is playing kick off classics. Can anyone in the know verify this?

With all the off-season discussion, don't forget the FHSAA regular season kicks off in 5 weeks. Last year, 460 teams competed in the 8 FHSAA championship classifications. This year, 458 teams are competing in the FHSAA. Not exactly the mass exodus that some were hoping for or predicting, but maybe it is coming down the road. Or not. In case you forgot your team's district or region foes, here are the 2025-26 FHSAA classifications: https://fhsaa.com/sports/2020/1/28/FB_classifications.aspx Information on the SSAA football season can be found here: https://www.sunshinestateathletics.com/page/show/5114520-football

Mega game. Rematch of the 2009 game where Lakeland won on a 2 point stop. Hope they have the horses to pull out another win this time

Wow this has my head spinning. I will reel this in and avoid the political stuff rather than hijack this thread. I am, though, confused about what you mean by Bridgewater donating his money directly to MNW versus giving it to a wealth redistribution process? What exact process are you referring to? Are you talking about shared gate receipts? I have never liked this policy and have always preferred the home team doing a 60-40 share of their gate with the visiting team rather than donating to a large pool that is divided up evenly. Here in Pinellas County we pool our gate and there are just a few teams propping up everyone else. There has to be a better way. By the way, you might be confusing communism with socialism. The processes you describe are socialist as well as the mayors you are referring to. Socialism is very different than communism despite similar concepts of sharing. Communism is bad all around. Socialism isn't so bad and there are no purely capitalist societies out there as they all have some forms of socialism, including the USA. Try not to get caught up in the anger baiting headlines and just read up on where everyone stands. I am not a fan of the NY mayor elect but my reasoning is he is too far on the left. Extremism is bad no matter which side you align with. Oops, I did go there, my bad.

Last year MNW received 28 transfers in 2 months This year they received 31 so far. I love today and truly believe he’s for the kids. But how do you think MNW became so good over night? , all those transfers not from the bulls district , hell a few of them are from broward county. so like most schools who recruit , of course the coaches care about the kids safety therefore getting them Ubers or picking them up. But we’re not gonna act like it’s not also to keep said high prospects on their team to also give them a much better chance to go all the way. This has been going on for years. Teddy fault is that he made it known what he’s doing without blatantly saying “in order to keep my current and future high profile prospects, i have to keep them happy and provided for” , that’s no difference then what TFA was penalized for. but because they’re a private school it was frowned upon. Northwestern was also investigated going into the playoffs last year for ineligible players. Central had to forfeit their season twice in 5 years because of “slick and sneaky behavior”

Larry Blustein podcast link talking about this event: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio/id993198627?i=1000717251522

I suddenly wish Bridgewater had known he was breaking the rules and kept it on the DL. He obviously cares a lot about that program and those kids. Hate to see a guy who cares like that get taken down while the true cheaters are out there doing their thing.

Yes of course big shot, how dare anyone try to help some young man out with a generous offer from his own pocket! Did the new pinstripe suits arrive yet from Brooks Brothers, F. Lee Bailey, Clarence Darrow Jr?!

Yes it's true and the alumni president stepped down. From what I read the alumni president went downtown or wherever and said something. I don't know if Teddy rubbed someone the wrong way but this is what I read. But see here's the thing about this situation. Northwestern has a strong alumni and community support. Half if not all the politicians in politics graduated from Northwestern and local pastors. If this was such a big issue something should have been said way before now and I think because Teddy asked for donations this all came about. Teddy has the money to take care of these things but why should he go broke doing it.

You are finally starting to make some sense, have they changed the black and orange water over at Bryant Stadium?

If it’s for something reasonable like a Gatorade and water donation & they reach out to the community of course I will help. it’s all within reason tho. 14,000 for a 3 day gym stay is unreasonable. 2,000 a week for food. Me & a few alumni would just get together and cook.

Wait are you saying there is a rule that bars an adult mentor who coaches young men a sport from helping a struggling student athlete and his family with transportation? Whoa that’s next level crazy. “Hey coach I’m on the side of the road and almost got hit. I’m miles from school and it’s 110 degrees out. Can you get me a ride?” ”Sorry. Some turds 6 hours away in Gainesville said I can’t. Hope you don’t get hit or pass out.”

Thanks for sharing. Watched it this morning. Really enjoyed it. Got to know the MNW culture better. Loved seeing Ice Harris going off. Amazing Taurean was able to improve his test score by approximately 200 points from one test to the next. Did I get that right? Enjoyed watching him walk around the UF campus as he started realizing his college dreams. Plan on going to my share of Bulls games this year.

Biggest upset in Florida finals history. I would put Berkeley Prep over Norland second

Haha. Second-best win in Bartow history. I was present for the top win in their history, on a cold afternoon in Daytona Beach in 1996

Interestingly, Pensacola Woodham High School closed in 2007. It reopened as a middle school later in 2007, which was also later closed. The building now houses West Florida High School. Woodham went 35-1 during the 1982-84 seasons, winning the Class 4A state championship in 1982 and 1984. They were known as the "Titans", much like another team with an epic history of their own (T.C. Williams in Alexandria, Virginia).

I hope it grows too. To about 500 members! Some of the SSAA teams were or would be playoff teams in FHSAA. You are correct, they have zero chance of winning a championship in FHSAA. Some are figured that out. About 400 or so need to come to the same conclusion.

I favored Jesuit going into that game. Living in Tampa for many years I saw Jesuit play many times. Jesuit Athletics Director Terry Rupp is a class act. Pine Forest probably should have beat Jesuit that night. I believe Jesuit was overconfident going into the game. They beat Miami Northwestern in the semifinals so I think they thought the final was a mere formality. Pine Forest controlled the line of scrimmage practically all night.

I would add the 2021 Pine Forest team that lost to Tampa Jesuit, 35-29, in the 6A championship game. But your point about Pensacola teams is well stated. I don't see any serious contenders from that area this year.

Vero should be very solid this year, the offense has more experience this season as they started several true freshman last year, the defense lost some talent so that will be the question mark heading into the offseason. I see them being as good as the team that lost in the 3rd round, probably a little better to be honest. The hopes are high considering the talent that is coming back, and has already transferred in, do they have state championship level talent? No, but hopes are high. I do not see them starting 0-3 like least season though. Vero QB Champ Monds went into those games last year as a true freshman who had never played a game at the high school level, now has a year under his belt, and holds 20+ offers as a rising sophomore. He has the potential to be one of the top QB’s in the country by the time he’s a senior, the question for Vero is can they keep him here. IMG has made a run at a lot of the higher profile talent in the treasure coast area the last several years.

V-Ro isn't a bad drive from Boca, and they have a nice stadium with plenty of parking. We'll certainly be taking these games in. It's only about 35 minutes north of us.

So as an event you can’t beat the 3 games. But if you are talking one game, Chaminade/West Boca and IMG/First Academy would be better games. Based solely on projected state rankings in my opinion

Just announced that Miami Northwestern will face Lakeland Aug. 16 at 7pm at...Vero Beach High. So, a somewhat middle ground for each. Weird venue to be sure!

August 15 - Cocoa vs Bradford at Cocoa. That might be a good one.