The Florida High School Athletic Association has rolled out an Open Division for the 2026 football season, a round‑robin tournament that gathers the eight highest‑ranked teams regardless of class. This format replaces the traditional class‑based brackets and is designed to pit the state's strongest programs against one another early in the postseason.
Elite Contenders in Class 6A
Among the teams that have earned spots in this new structure are several Class 6A powerhouses. Venice, Lake Mary, DeLand, Vero Beach, Columbus, and Mainland are all highlighted as potential title threats. Each program brings a distinct narrative: Venice with its recent state‑semifinal run, Lake Mary as the defending 7A champions, and DeLand riding a 12‑0 start before a regional final loss.
Venice’s pedigree is well‑known. The team has reached the championship game five times in the past six years, including a 2025 semifinal defeat to Lake Mary. That near‑miss fuels a renewed drive to capture the title in 2026, and the program’s depth remains a constant factor in any championship conversation.
DeLand’s offense exploded in 2025, scoring 671 points while leaning on All‑American junior running back Taihj Moore. The team opened the season with a perfect 12‑0 record before stumbling against Lake Mary in the regional final. The high‑powered attack is expected to remain a central pillar of the team’s strategy.
Columbus, known as the Explorers, looked to rebound from a 4‑8 season by adding five‑star athlete Amir Sears. Sears helped West Broward reach the Class 6A state championship last year, and his arrival has raised expectations for a swift return to the upper echelon of the division.
Vero Beach carries its own momentum after falling one play short of the Class 8A title in 2025. Quarterback Champ Monds, a Notre Dame commit, now leads a offense that aims to convert that near‑miss into a championship run. The team’s motivation is palpable, and the coaching staff has built on that experience.
Lake Mary enters the new season with a quarterback transition. After losing starter Noah Grubbs to graduation, junior Remy Jarman is slated to take the helm. Coach Scott Peterson’s preparation is expected to keep the team competitive despite the loss of a key senior.
Regional Challenges and District Dynamics
District 6 remains one of the most competitive circuits, featuring Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, Olympia, and West Orange. Edgewater went undefeated before falling to eventual Class 5A runner‑up Lakeland in 2025, while West Orange’s junior quarterback Andrew Chung is projected to keep the Warriors in contention. Dr. Phillips has also undergone a coaching change, with Caleb Walls stepping in after Rodney Wells’ title‑winning tenure.
Region 2 adds another layer of intrigue, grouping Vero Beach (the 2025 7A runner‑up) with Lake Nona, Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, West Orange, and Fort Pierce Central. Ocoee and Treasure Coast have each made recent state semifinal appearances, ensuring that the region will be packed with high‑stakes matchups.
The new Open Division format promises to reshape traditional rivalries and create fresh storylines throughout the season. With elite programs from across the state converging in a round‑robin setting, the 2026 schedule is poised to deliver intense competition and unpredictable outcomes.