The second half of the high school football season is underway, which means the race for the eight Open Division spots is heating up.
The Florida High School Athletic Association is introducing the elite
playoff bracket this season. The top eight teams in the final MaxPreps rankings after the regular season automatically advance to the Open Division.
St. Thomas Aquinas, the top ranked team in both the state and national USA TODAY Super 25, has been in the No. 1 spot all season.
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As of Sept. 27, the other seven teams are Columbus, West Boca, Chaminade-Madonna, Cardinal Newman, Cardinal Mooney, Miami Central and Armwood.
But we're still a long way from the finish line. Here are 10 of the biggest games during the second half that will have Open Division implications.
Friday, Oct. 2
St. Thomas Aquinas at Chaminade-Madonna
It's possible this game is a preview of an Open Division playoff game. Aquinas is the national No. 1 and the closest thing to a lock for the Open Division. Even a loss here probably wouldn't hurt the Raiders chances. The bigger question is how would a potential second loss impact Chaminade? Again, probably not too much. The Lions only other loss was against Sierra Canyon (California), which is ranked in the top 10 in the nation. This could be an exciting game. The teams have split the last two regular season meetings, with each game decided by a touchdown.
Venice at Raines
It certainly feels like a win here would essentially sew up an Open Division spot for Venice. The Indians already have overtime wins against Rabun Gap (Georgia) and Lakeland. This is their final chance to get a resume building win against a top 25 opponent. Raines is undefeated and coming off an impressive win against Mandarin, but the Vikings still need another signature win to really bump them up the rankings. It's tough to see even a nine-win Raines team in the Open Division if it doesn't beat Venice.
Clearwater Central Catholic at Cardinal Mooney
Clearwater Central Catholic started the season off with wins against Palmetto and Port Charlotte, but this is the Marauders best chance to really get into the Open Division conversation. Even though Clearwater Central Catholic has a challenging close to the season, but it's hard to see them in the mix without a win here. Cardinal Mooney lost to Cardinal Newman earlier in the season but have remained firmly in the Open Division picture. A win here would easily be the biggest of the season from a computer standpoint, while a loss would be difficult to overcome.
Thursday, Oct. 8
Lake Wales at Jones
Lake Wales opened a lot of eyes in its season opening loss to DeLand when it furious rally in the final minutes fell just short. The Highlanders have been completely dominant since then but still lack a true resume win. Jones, the back-to-back Class 4A state finalist, would be the team's biggest wins. Jones has had an odd start to the season between traveling to California for the season opener, a bye week and a rivalry game rescheduled because of an electrical issue. The Tigers have one of the best defensive lines in the state — if not the nation — but may have to win out to have a shot at the Open Division.
Friday, Oct. 9
Chaminade-Madonna at Cardinal Newman
This is a huge game, and not just because it's a rematch of the 2025 Class 1A state championship game which Newman won in a stunning upset. Based on what happens against Aquinas in Week 8, Chaminade could be coming into this game as a two-loss team. How would the computer look at a three-loss team regardless of strength of schedule. Newman lost to West Boca earlier in the season and still has Carrollwood Day left on the schedule. Again, this game will help the Crusaders in strength of schedule, but a loss could eliminate any margin for error down the road.
Armwood at Tampa Bay Tech
Not that one of the West Coast's best rivalry games needed more drama, here it is. Armwood is No. 8 and Tampa Bay Tech is No. 9 in the Open Division race. A signature win would be huge here. It's hard to imagine the loser of this game having enough of a resume to stay in the conversation. Armwood, which was literally a minute away from the Class 6A state championship game in 2025, is undefeated in Florida with the lone loss coming in New Jersey against Don Bosco. Tampa Bay Tech is undefeated.
Friday, Oct. 16
West Boca at The First Academy
West Boca is undefeated against Florida teams, with its lone loss coming by a point against St. John's (Washington D.C.). A win here would put the Bulls, who already have wins over American Heritage and Cardinal Newman, in prime position for the Open Division. A second loss certainly make things murkier. The First Academy's lone loss was against national power IMG. Despite that loss, the Royals vaulted up the rankings into the Open Division. A few days later, the Royals dropped down and currently No. 10. If TFA wins out, it will almost certainly be in the Open Division. A loss doesn't end the Royals hopes, but it will make it tougher.
Friday, Oct. 30
Carrollwood Day at Cardinal Newman
This is a really interesting game and goes beyond being a rematch of a 2025 Class 1A state semifinal game. Carrollwood Day has been one of the most dominant teams in the nation this season, but the Patriots strength of schedule hasn't moved the needle as far as the computer is concerned. Winning out — Carrollwood also plays Trinity Christian in October — is the only way to even have a chance. This is the fifth 2025 final four team Cardinal Newman plays this season. A lot hinges on the result of Cardinal Newman against Chaminade in Week 8. If Newman wins that game, a win here will almost certainly secure an Open Division spot. If Newman comes into Week 11 with two losses, it becomes a must-win game.
Buchholz at Bolles
It's hard to get a good feel for how the computer will view this game, because neither talented team seems to have impressed the computer much through the first six weeks. That alone makes it a must-win game for both teams if either has any hope of being in the Open Division. Buchholz could absolutely come into this game undefeated. Bolles' lone loss this season came by one point against Columbia in the season opener — a game that looks better on the resume by the week.
The First Academy at Lakeland
This a rematch of last year's season finale, when The First Academy rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to win in double overtime. This one will have a lot more than bragging rights on the line. The First Academy arguably has the toughest second-half schedule (Archbishop McCarthy, West Boca, Lakeland), but if the Royals are in the Open Division mix in, a win here will go a long way. Lakeland split its two biggest games (loss against Venice, win over American Heritage), so the result of the season finale could determine whether the Dreadnaughts play in the Open Division or not.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: These 10 football games will decide FHSAA football's Open Division
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