South Florida’s national powerhouses primed for state title repeats | Opinion
For 15 years, teams Miami-Dade and Broward counties teams have won three or more of Florida’s state championships.
This season, figure on South Florida’s best to keep that streak going with as many as five state champions.
From Classes 7A to 1A, there are local contenders capable of making a serious bid to be the ones celebrating at Pitbull Stadium in December.
Here’s a breakdown of each class on the road to state.
CLASS 7A
For a long time, the state’s largest classification came down to the sole survivor from South Florida against the mightiest team from the Orlando area.
Venice changed that a year ago, dominating the competition on its way to its second state title in four years and fourth overall.
The Indians return as the favorite to repeat in this class thanks largely to University of Miami commit Asharri Charles leading its defensive front. If Venice can still crank things up on offense to a level close to what it did last season, it will be difficult to deny it a repeat.
South Florida’s landscape here hasn’t changed much, although questions surround perennial contender and three-time state champion Miami Columbus. The Explorers have several new faces in key places, but enter as a favorite to at least get through the region, but face a familiar foe in Miami Palmetto.
Other contenders statewide include Lake Mary, led by Notre Dame commit Noah Grubbs at quarterback.
CLASS 6A
This class saw a new champion last season with the emergence of West Boca Raton turning into a state powerhouse. The Bulls return one of the best rosters in the state and are the favorites to repeat in the eyes of many entering this season.
West Boca was pushed to the brink, however, by Miami Southridge in last year’s state semifinal. The game ended in controversial fashion when the Spartans nearly returned a fumble for a touchdown in the closing seconds before it was ruled they fumbled the ball themselves on the return with three seconds left at the West Boca 3-yard line.
A rematch could be in store as Southridge enters the season with its deepest roster since it last won a state title in 2016. The Spartans’ defense is stingy and their offense should be much improved led by quarterback James Perrone and center Ryan Miret.
This class is stacked with challengers, too, including Jacksonville Mandarin, Kissimmee Osceola, Coconut Creek Monarch and Pembroke Pines West Broward.
CLASS 5A
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas is aiming for a staggering seventh consecutive state championship, which would extend its state record. The Raiders are thinking much more as they enter the season in the top 10 nationally and have a date with No. 1-ranked Mater Dei in its regular season opener. Even if Aquinas stumbles on the national stage, expect the Raiders to cruise through the class to another state crown barring any unforeseen setbacks.
Familiar foes like Delray Atlantic likely await on the road to state and perhaps another rematch with Lakeland at the finish line.
CLASS 4A
Plantation American Heritage finally climbed the final hurdle after coming up heartbreakingly short the past two seasons. The Patriots’ success in 2025 will heavily depend on the health of Texas-committed quarterback Dia Bell in his return behind center from a severe leg injury. Bell commands an offense that should be just as potent as it was a year ago, and Heritage’s defense still has plenty of FBS-level talent.
Heritage’s biggest obstacle still figures to be a stacked Orlando Jones squad, guided by Miami commit Dereon Coleman at quarterback. The Patriots topped Jones and Coleman in a 40-31 shootout in last season’s 4A state final thanks to receiver-turned-quarterback and now UM freshman Malachi Toney.
Other contenders include St. Augustine, Ocala Vanguard and Miami Norland, which should still be strong despite graduating several starters including four-year starting quarterback Ennio Yapoor.
CLASS 3A
Turmoil engulfed the program this offseason after then-coach Teddy Bridgewater was suspended for violating FHSAA rules regarding impermissible benefits to players. Bridgewater has since departed to the NFL a year after leading the Bulls to their first state title since 2019. But Northwestern remains among the nation’s best with most of its roster intact from last season on both sides of the ball.
The Bulls will challenge themselves early and often on the national level with games against Orange Lutheran and Venice, and later will battle longtime rival Miami Central for supremacy in this class. The Bulls figure to be the favorites in that struggle once again and whoever emerges will be the overwhelming favorite to win the state title. Jacksonville Raines — the team Northwestern beat for the title last season — could once again be the final obstacle at the end of the road.
CLASS 2A
This is one of the few classes where South Florida’s best squads will likely be underdogs in the state picture overall. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons is still the best team locally and looking to win its first state title since winning back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021. The Chiefs have the talent to win the region and it should be interesting to see who else emerges, and what happens with Miami Booker T. Washington after the departure of longtime coach Tim “Ice” Harris.
Sarasota Cardinal Mooney figures to be the favorite led by Notre Dame commit Elijah Golden on the defensive line. Cocoa and Jacksonville Bolles are two of the biggest challengers.
CLASS 1A
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna is looking to make it a decade of advancing to at least the state finals, which would extend a state record, as well as win a fifth consecutive state championship and eighth in the past nine seasons. The Lions are once again ranked among the nation’s best and figure to have a great opportunity to compete for a national championship with one of the most balanced rosters in the country. Statewide, it’s some of the usual suspects such as Jacksonville Trinity Christian and Clearwater Central Catholic.
A state title appears to be a given once again for this team barring any unforeseen setbacks. In the region, Miami True North is led once again by quarterback Zach Katz and is capable of putting together a run to the state final four.
This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
