A Nationwide Challenge
Saint Frances Academy’s head coach Messay Hailemariam took to Instagram to issue a direct challenge to the nation’s most prestigious high school football programs, naming eight states that will be represented on the Panthers’ slate.
The Panthers enter the season ranked fourth in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 preseason poll, a testament to the sustained excellence they have achieved since Hailemariam’s return in 2021.
The opening game will be played on August 28 in DeLand, Florida, against a Bulldogs team that finished the previous year with a 12‑1 record, before the schedule takes the Panthers on a coast‑to‑coast journey that includes stops in Vero Beach, Florida; Bryant, Alaska; and St. James Academy in Virginia.
The IMG Academy Showdown
Among the marquee matchups is a November 13 showdown with No. 1 ranked IMG Academy in Florida, a game that was originally slated for November 7 but was removed from the calendar after the Florida powerhouse announced an extended layoff.
The challenge also encompasses elite programs such as St. John Bosco in California, Bishop Gorman in Nevada, Mater Dei in California, St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, Buford in Georgia, Carrollton in Georgia, DeMatha in Maryland and Duncanville in Texas, underscoring the national scope of the Panthers’ ambition.
While the exact dates for many of these road trips remain fluid, the excitement is palpable as coaches, players and fans alike anticipate a season that could reshape the high school football landscape.