FHSAA Kickoff Classics set to test contenders ahead of inaugural Open Division
Defending state champions and top-ranked programs clash this weekend as the Florida High School Athletic Association prepares for a pivotal shift in its competitive landscape.
The Florida High School Athletic Association’s preseason Kickoff Classics commence on 14 August, featuring a slate of high-profile matchups that will serve as a primary gauge for the state’s inaugural Open Division. While these exhibition games do not count towards official standings, performance metrics and rankings from the USA TODAY Florida Network Super 25 and MaxPreps will determine which eight teams secure advancement to the new division.
The headline contest sees defending state champions St. Thomas Aquinas face Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota. Aquinas, ranked number one in Class 5A and atop the Super 25, will meet Mooney, the number one team in Class 3A. The two programs met in last year’s Kickoff Classic in Fort Lauderdale, where Aquinas secured a 22-14 victory. Both squads enter the weekend ranked in the top eight of the MaxPreps preseason rankings, underscoring the significance of this fixture in the qualification process.
In Boca Raton, back-to-back state champions Carol City will take on West Boca. West Boca, ranked number two in Class 5A, returns an elite defence following consecutive title wins. Carol City, the number two team in Class 2A, has bolstered its roster with several impact transfers, including five-star wide receiver commit Nick Lennear. The two teams have already faced each other multiple times in 7-on-7 tournaments this offseason, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash.
Other key fixtures include Jones travelling to Miami Central in a matchup defined by defensive strength. Jones, the number two team in Class 4A and state runner-up for the past two seasons, faces a Miami Central side that finished 10-2 in 2025. Meanwhile, Cardinal Newman hosts Vero Beach. Newman, the 2025 Class 1A state champions, is integrating new offensive starters, while Vero Beach returns senior quarterback Champ Monds, a Notre Dame commit, after finishing as Class 7A runners-up last season.
Lake Mary concludes the notable early-season slate by hosting Buchholz. Lake Mary, the 2025 Class 7A state champions, will look to build on a season that culminated in a stunning victory over Vero Beach in the championship game. These games provide the initial framework for the Open Division, with the rankings established during this period playing a decisive role in shaping the state’s postseason landscape.
