The Florida High School Athletic Association has reshaped the 2026 football landscape by launching an Open Division that gathers the top eight teams from all classifications into a round‑robin playoff. This structural shift promises marquee matchups and a fresh narrative for fans across the state.
Elite Contenders and Star Recruits
Carrollwood Day emerges as a leading force in the Open Division, bolstered by a roster that includes national recruits such as Antonio Thomas Jr., Zylen Littled, and Derrell Hines Jr. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Catholic, fresh off an undefeated 2025 campaign before a narrow loss to Cardinal Newman, is expected to again penetrate deep into the playoffs. Both programs are poised to dominate the early rounds.
Other notable programs include Madison County, coached by Price Harris, who returns from a Rural state title but must replace several key players. Hawthorne, under Cornelius Ingram, showcases a talented lineup featuring North Carolina commit Kaiden Robinson‑Vickers and FAU commit Dom Harvey. Lakeland Christian relies on committed athletes like UCF center Ty MontsDeOca and USF quarterback Brody Brenneman, while Trinity Christian fields a defense anchored by three‑star prospects Adrian Williams, Za'Khari Greene, and Terrell Pinkney II.
Competitive Districts and Regions
District 8, encompassing Carrollwood Day, Northside Christian, St. Petersburg Catholic, and Zephyrhills Christian, is projected to be one of the most contested brackets, with the aforementioned teams clashing for playoff seeding. Region 2 expands the competition to include Community School of Naples, St. John Neumann, Victory Christian, and an improved Lakeland Christian, all drawing on playoff experience from the previous season. The dissolution of the rural class has also ushered in new contenders such as Madison County and Hawthorne, each carrying recent state titles into Class 1A.