West Boca hosts Cardinal Newman in top football game of Week 4

It's only Week 4 of the Florida High School football season, but some games are about to take on a different tone.

And it's not only major district games, like Columbus (No. 6 USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings) traveling to Miami Palmetto in a highly anticipated showdown.

With addition of the Open Division this year, some games are taking on added significance.

No one can lock up one of the coveted eight spots in early September. But a big win could be a serious boost while a tough loss starts to eliminate the margin of error for the rest of the season.

Here's a look at the top games to watch in Week 4.

Cardinal Newman (No. 3 Class 2A) at West Boca (No. 2 Class 5A)

This is an elite matchup on several levels. Cardinal Newman and West Boca both won state titles in 2025. Both teams are undefeated to start the

season. Oh yeah, these are also the two premier programs in Palm Beach County. On top of local bragging rights for the next 12 months, the winner gets a huge boost for their Open Division resume. Cardinal Newman topped West Boca 26-20 in overtime last season.

Columbus (No. 1 Class 6A) at Miami Palmetto (No. 4 Class 6A)

The District 16-6A opener pits Miami-Dade rivals against each other. Miami Palmetto won both meetings in 2025 — 24-21 in the regular season and 27-10 in the regional semifinals. Columbus is looking to rebound from a close Week 3 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas. Miami Palmetto has won its three games by a combined score of 105-13.

Recruiting matchup to watch: Miami Palmetto 2027 WR Kaden Howard (No. 96 USA TODAY Florida Network top 100, Georgia Tech commit) vs. Columbus 2027 ATH A'mir Sears (No. 3 top 100, Miami commit)

Miami Central (No. 1 Class 3A) at Buford (Georgia, No. 4 USA TODAY Super 25)

Miami Central is leaving the state for the second time in two weeks. The Rockets topped Orange Lutheran (California) 23-22 in Week 1. This will be a step up in competition as Buford is one of the premier programs in the nation. The Wolves are on a 17-game win streak and have won 28 of their past 29 games.

Recruiting matchup to watch: Miami Central 2027 RB Nino Joseph vs. Buford 2027 DL Jalen Brewster (No. 1 overall recruit on the 247Sports composite, Texas Tech commit)

American Heritage (No. 1 Class 4A) at Trinity Christian (No. 3 Class 1A)

American Heritage is facing its third state-ranked team this season and is looking to rebound from a 46-27 loss at Chaminade-Madonna in Week 3. Senior wide receiver Michael Stringer has been the Patriots' go-to, catching 16 passes for 289 yards and five scores. Trinity Christian has won two games in a row since falling in overtime in the season opener. The Crusaders scored 34 points in the second half against Lincoln in Week 3.

Recruiting matchup to watch: American Heritage 2028 QB Niemann Lawrence (Texas commit) vs. Trinity Christian 2027 DL Adrian Williams (No. 82 top 100, Georgia Tech commit)

Miami Northwestern (No. 3 Class 3A) at Hawthorne (No. 2 Class 1A)

This is a matchup of the 2025 Class 3A state runner-up (Northwestern) against the 2025 Rural Class champion (Hawthorne). Miami Northwestern's defense has posted back-to-back shutouts. The Bulls have three running backs — Adrian Cox, Marquez Fleming and Dontavius Kitchens — who essentially split reps and have been productive this season. Hawthorne's defense has not been scored on since Week1. Hornets quarterback Richard Roundtree Jr. has thrown for 666 yards and seven scores this year.

St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 1 Class 5A) at Dillard (No. 4 Class 3A)

Aquinas, the nation's top-ranked team, is playing its third state or nationally ranked team in the past three weeks. The Raiders topped Columbus 31-24 in Week 3, with senior running back Tyler Reid (Pitt commit) rushing for 338 yards and three scores on just 13 carries. Dillard's lone loss this season was against St. Peter's Prep (Pennsylvania). The Panthers topped Coconut Creek 25-20 in Week 3.

Recruiting matchup to watch: Dillard 2027 WR Anthony Jennings (No. 39 top 100, Florida commit) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas 2027 CB Jaden Carey (No. 43 top 100, Ohio State commit)

University Christian (No. 6 Class 1A) at Madison County (No. 4 Class 1A)

Two of Class 1A's top teams face off in Madison. University Christian is coming off a dominant 62-14 win over Lecanto in Week 3. Quarterback Harrison Leddy threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Madison County fell to Columbia 27-13 in Week 3. Cowboys junior defensive back Siyah Hall leads the team with three interceptions and two passes defended this fall.

Other top games to watch in Week 4

Thursday, Sept. 10

True North Classical (No. 5 Class 1A) at Chaminade-Madonna (No. 2 Class 2A)

Atlantic (ARV Class 4A) at Pahokee (No. 9 Class 1A)

Ocoee at West Orange (No. 6 Class 6A)

Tampa Bay Tech (No. 6 Class 5A) at Plant

Coconut Creek (ARV Class 5A) at Cardinal Gibbons (No. 6 Class 3A)

Williamson (Alabama) at Pine Forest (No. 10 Class 3A)

Friday, Sept. 11

Bartram Trail at Fletcher

Columbia (No. 5 Class 4A) at Ribault

Lakeland (No. 3 Class 5A) at Osceola (ARV Class 5A)

Community School of Naples at Archbishop McCarthy (No. 8 Class 5A)

Bishop Kenny (ARV Class 3A) at Bolles (No. 6 Class 2A)

Tampa Catholic (ARV Class 2A) at Berkley Prep (No. 8 Class 2A)

Lake Mary (No. 9 Class 6A) at DeLand (No. 3 Class 6A)

Mandarin (No. 4 Class 5A) at Nease (ARV Class 5A)

Wakulla (ARV Class 3A) at Pace

Dunbar at Port Charlotte (No. 9 Class 4A)

Calvary Christian (Clearwater, ARV Class 2A) at Clearwater Central Catholic (No. 5 Class 2A)

Trinity Catholic at Bradford (No. 9 Class 2A)

Godby (No. 8 Class 3A) at Camden County (Georgia)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Boca hosts Cardinal Newman in top football game of Week 4