Sarasota and Manatee County High School Football Preview for 2026
The upcoming 2026 season brings a revamped Open Division format, reigning champions, new quarterbacks and coaches, and a crop of standout players poised to make their mark.
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The upcoming 2026 season brings a revamped Open Division format, reigning champions, new quarterbacks and coaches, and a crop of standout players poised to make their mark.
The 2026 Florida high school football season is poised to deliver another round of drama, as the FHSAA introduces an eight‑team Open Division playoff bracket and St. Thomas Aquinas eyes a record eighth straight title.
Despite a valiant effort, the Falcons concluded their season with a 5-1 defeat, marking their first state final appearance in 45 years.

The Cardinal Mooney baseball squad captured its inaugural regional championship, edging Canton Central Catholic 5-4 in a back‑and‑forth contest that featured multiple triples, clutch RBI hits and a late rally. The victory propels the Cardinals into a June 13 showdown with Sandusky Perkins, with the winner advancing to the state title game on June 14.

The Cardinals, finishing a 24-3 season, secured a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Canton Central Catholic, setting up a June 13 showdown with Sandusky Perkins for a shot at the state championship.
High school standouts in Florida are seeing a surge in recruitment offers, with tight end Derrick Fletcher and offensive tackle Jackson Snelling among the most sought‑after players.