The 2026 Florida high school football season arrives with a bold restructuring, shrinking the classification map to six divisions while debuting an Open Division that pits the top eight ranked teams against one another in a round‑robin playoff bracket. This shift compresses the traditional eight‑class format into a more streamlined competition, promising heightened stakes from the outset.
Among the early favorites, Cardinal Mooney enters the fray as a 2025 Class 2A state champion riding a 26‑1 record. The team’s offense will be anchored by four‑star quarterback Davin Davidson, whose poise under pressure has drawn national attention, and wide receiver Connail Jackson, a reliable target returning after a standout season.
Miami Central, despite navigating a wave of transfers, boasts a secondary that could prove decisive. Three‑star standouts T’ari Miller, Trezavant Boyd and four‑star junior Quinton Rolle Jr. give the team depth, and a perfect run in their remaining schedule could secure an Open Division berth.
Eau Gallie brings its own firepower, highlighted by sophomore quarterback Joseph Allen, a three‑star prospect, and ATH X’Zavier Corbin, who exploded onto the scene as a freshman with over 1,700 all‑purpose yards and fourteen touchdowns.
Raines, the defending Class 3A champions, must replace key departures but retain standouts such as three‑star edge rusher Troy Butler and safety Zion Green. Their experience in high‑pressure games positions them as a perennial threat.
Dillard’s offensive engine is led by four‑star wideout Anthony Jennings and sophomore quarterback Vince Mosley Jr., while a secondary featuring three‑star players Semajay Robinson and Tedrick Oatman adds balance to a well‑rounded attack.
Merritt Island’s roster also draws excitement, with USF commit Kevin Verpaele at quarterback, three‑star tight end DeShaun Thomas and three‑star running back Zaylan Chapple forming a potent trio that could push the team deep into the playoffs.
Bishop Verot, coached by Richie Rode, quietly assembled a squad that includes Minnesota commit Jyden German patrolling an underrated secondary, suggesting the team could punch above its weight in regional play.
Playoff Landscape and Regional Challenges
District 8 in Brevard County emerges as a microcosm of the season’s intensity, fielding four playoff teams from 2025 including Eau Gallie and Merritt Island. Meanwhile, Region 4 groups Miami Central and Dillard together, both undefeated in 2025 and semifinalists last year, setting up a gauntlet that could shape the Open Division bracket.