Week 8 of the Florida high school football season is headlined by three games that have major Open Division and district ramifications, as well as bragging rights and possibly a measure of revenge on the line.
Chaminade-Madonna travels to Cardinal Newman in a rematch of the 2025 Class 1A state championship. Cardinal Newman won that game 17-14 to claim its first state title.
Chaminade is coming a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in Week 7. The Lions come into West Palm Beach with a 4-2 record; they have not lost three regular season games in a single year since 2016.
West Coast rivals Tampa Bay Tech and Armwood meet in a game that has several important subplots. Armwood has won the last three regular season meetings, including a 28-7
win last year.
Lake Wales heads to Jones in a game neither can likely afford to lose if it wants to stay in the Open Division conversation. Jones had beaten Lake Wales three times in the past two years, with all three games decided by at least 12 points.
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For the first time though, Lake Wales comes into this game as the higher ranked team.
Here's a closer look at the three games.
Chaminade-Madonna (No. 1 Class 2A) at Cardinal Newman (No. 4 Class 2A)
For a regular season game, this one has plenty at stake. If Chaminade wins, it will win the District 7-2A title. Both teams were in the Open Division after the Oct. 4 MaxPreps rankings, so the winner likely would cement its top eight status. Chaminade junior quarterback Brady Quinn had 351 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against St. Thomas Aquinas in Week 7. Cardinal Newman senior running back Janarro Sumpter has scored 12 touchdowns, and five multi-score games this season.
Armwood (No. 3 Class 5A) at Tampa Bay Tech (No. 4 Class 5A)
Not that one of the state's top rivalries needed more layers of drama, but this one has it. Both teams were just outside the Open Division after the Oct. 4 update, so the winner could be a strong spot while the loser could be eliminated. Both teams are undefeated in District 9-5A, so the winner will be in the driver's seat for the title. Armwood is 4-0 against Florida competition and has outscored its past three opponents by a combined score of 129-6. Tampa Bay Tech junior running back Kesean Smith has three consecutive 100-yard games and scored at least two touchdowns in five consecutive games.
Lake Wales (No. 2 Class 4A) at Jones (No. 4 Class 4A)
These teams met twice in 2025, with Jones winning both the regular season game and regional championship game on its way to its second consecutive state championship game. Lake Wales will win the District 7-4A championship if it beats Jones. Lake Wales has won five in a row, outscoring its opponents 242-18. Highlanders senior quarterback Kingston Loydd had thrown for 1,167 yards and 16 touchdowns with no interceptions. Jones has won four consecutive games and allowed only 21 points during the streak. The Tigers have one of the state's best defensive lines, led by Texas A&M commit Fred Ards and UCF commit Noah Robinson.
Top games to watch in Week 8
Friday, Oct. 9
Ed White (No. 9 Class 4A) at Ribault, 6:30 p.m.
Santaluces at Palm Beach Central, 6:30 p.m.
Nease at Fletcher (ARV Class 5A), 6:30 p.m.
True North Classical (No. 3 Class 1A) at John Carroll Catholic (No. 8 Class 1A), 7 p.m.
McArthur at St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 1 Class 5A), 7 p.m.
Pahokee (No. 9 Class 1A) at Vero Beach (No. 6 Class 6A), 7 p.m.
Jensen Beach at Heritage, 7 p.m.
IMG (No. 2 Florida Super 25) at New Palestine (Indiana), 7 p.m.
Oakleaf at Forest, 7 p.m.
West Orange (ARV Class 6A) at Dr. Phillips, 7 p.m.
Raines (No. 2 Class 3A) at Bishop Kenny (ARV Class 3A), 7 p.m.
Mainland (No. 10 Class 6A) at Spruce Creek (ARV Class 6A), 7 p.m.
Godby (No. 5 Class 3A) at Wakulla, 7 p.m.
Archbishop McCarthy (ARV Class 5A) at The First Academy (No. 3 Class 2A), 7 p.m.
St. John Neumann (ARV Class 1A) at First Baptist, 7 p.m.
South Sumter at Tavares, 7 p.m.
Merritt Island (No. 4 Class 3A) at Eau Gallie (No. 6 Class 3A), 7 p.m.
Miami Norland at American Heritage (No. 3 Class 4A), 7 p.m.
Fort White (ARV Class 1A) at Madison County (No. 7 Class 1A), 7:30 p.m.
Lakeland (No. 5 Class 5A) at Sebring, 7:30 p.m.
Lakewood (ARV Class 2A) at Calvary Christian (Clearwater, ARV Class 2A), 7:30 p.m.
Berkeley Prep (ARV Class 2A) at Clearwater Central Catholic (No. 5 Class 2A), 7:30 p.m.
Miami Northwestern (No. 8 Class 4A) at Carol City (No. 2 Class 2A), 7:30 p.m.
Palmetto (No. 9 Class 5A) at Manatee (ARV Class 5A), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Blanche Ely at Dillard (No. 9 Class 3A), 3 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chaminade at Cardinal Newman football has Open Division ramifications
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