SBLive Florida High School Football Summer/Fall Primer 2023

We take a closer look at some of the top storylines as high school football practices kickoff July 31st throughout the Sunshine State

It feels like Christmas Day, kinda. 

Okay, maybe not so much because of the near 95 degree heat on a regular basis lately. 

The official start of high school football practices begins today and we’ve got good vibes about the kind of season that it’s shaping up to be. 

The Venice Indians will be a contender in Class 4S in 2023  / Photo courtesy of Venice High School Football

One of the most memorable to date when it comes to the national implications for some and the chase for state championships begin on the practice field. There’s a lot that’s happened over the summer heading into the first practice and we wanted to touch base on everything from the Florida Panhandle down to the Florida Keys. 

We take a look at some of the top storylines surrounding the state’s elites heading into the start of high school football practices throughout the state of Florida beginning today. 

It’s all about what happens down in South Florida when it comes to Metro

Not only is South Florida home to a stadium dubbed ‘The Mecca’, but that same nickname can be used to describe the landscape of how many view where a lot of the talent pool resides at. Down in the 954/305. 

All four metro classifications last season were won by programs from down south and heading into the first practices, a similar trajectory is expected when December rolls around. That’s because each of the four programs are back and loaded for another run, plus others. 

Miami Central isn’t just chasing a state championship, but the Rockets are after a national one in 2023 

You’ve got Columbus in Class 4M that brings back starting quarterback Alberto Mendoza, a James Madison commitment, and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Expectations are the Explorers will be very much in the hunt again. 

Same storyline remains true for St. Thomas Aquinas in Class 3M, now armed with the two-headed monster of a backfield in Jordan Lyle and Stacy Gage, a UCF commitment. The Raiders are seeking their fifth straight, 14th overall state championship this winter. 

St. Thomas Aquinas is primed to win a fifth straight state championship this December 

Another team in search of No. 5 is none other than Class 2M’s Miami Central, whom could be chasing a national championship if they can run the table. The Rockets have an early season matchup against Bishop Gorman (NV) and in Week 5, the highly anticipated tilt versus Chaminade-Madonna, last year’s Class 1M champion. 

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Speaking of the Lions, they return Cedrick Bailey, Jeremiah Smith, Joshisa Trader and a host of others on offense. It would honestly be the biggest surprise among all the South Florida teams if they don’t repeat as champions. 

Not to mention teams like Cardinal Gibbons, Edison, Miramar, Norland, Plantation American Heritage, Western will all be in the mix when it comes to competing for state championships. 

The FHSAA’s Metro classifications runs through South Florida. 

Can Lakeland duplicate last year’s success under first-year head coach Marvin Frazier? 

Saying yes to this very question would be easier if the Dreadnaughts didn’t lose some key pieces that helped this team win a state championship last season. 

Cormani McClain, Zach Pleuss, Larry Jones and the list can go on and on. Lakeland has a new cast of stars that will be taking on the limelight, including a new signal caller under center. 

Marvin Frazier has some big shoes to fill in taking over for the legendary Bill Castle 

Zander Smith transferred in from Palmetto over the off-season and he will be tasked with guiding Lakeland back to the promise land. If they are not able to do it, it certainly won’t be because they don’t have the necessary skill talent to do it. 

Carlos Mitchell, a North Carolina commitment, transferred in from Lake Wales and provides a huge boost on both sides of the ball. Mitchell joins Jamar Taylor Jr., Omari Mixon and a talented group on offense, with running backs D‘Marius Rucker and Markel Johnson. 

Likely to be waiting for Lakeland at the end of the proverbial road at states would likely be a rematch with Venice, the very team they beat 21-14 for the 4S crown. Could we see the rematch come to fruition? 

This Lakeland team will be a wait and see, but they definitely have the talent to make it happen again in Class 4S. 

So many teams to like in Class 3S 

I mean, there’s no real definitive favorite when you really take an in-depth look at this Class 3S classification. 

Lake Wales has another talented team up and coming after winning the 3S championship last year. But with Carlos Mitchell (scroll up) now at Lakeland and a bevy of new players now having to step into starting roles for the Highlanders, it makes the road to prosperity a little bit harder. 

Mainland will be one of many teams to like when talking about who can win it all in Class 3S 

Mainland under second-year head coach Travis Roland has arguably one of the most talented defenses in the state as the Buccaneers’ front seven features several Power Five caliber players. Offensively is really where the question marks are for the Buccaneers, with Demarcus Creecy, Ajai Harrell and James Randle all gone. Roland says there’s new guys that will step up into those roles so it’s a wait-and-see. 

You can’t leave out teams like Choctawhatchee, Columbia, Dunbar, Escambia, Naples, Pine Forest, Rockledge, Sebring, Zephyrhills as viable contenders to win it all in 3S. There’s just so many teams you can make the argument for to make a run to Fort Lauderdale and hoisting a title, it’ll make your head spin. 

FSU High could be in line to make the hometown proud in 2S 

Let’s say you’re getting to play the state championship in your very backyard. With a sold out crowd at your back and you go to overtime and the game is on the line. 

That was the scenario the Seminoles were in against Cocoa for the Class 2S state championship last year, falling literally inches short. The kind of heartbreak that lives with you for awhile. 

FSU High brings back it’s starting backfield from a year ago and a strong defense from 2022’s state finalist squad 

There’s no time to waste for FSU High because this team presently constructed could be back playing in front of the hometown folks one more time. The Seminoles have the talent and coaching to make a return to Gene Cox Stadium as they’re gearing up behind a very talented senior class. 

It’s led by Florida State commitment Micahi Danzy at running back and quarterback Jeremy Johnston will be back under center. Having the duo returning in the backfield is just a couple of the key puzzle pieces. 

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Throw in Ashton Hampton, a Clemson commit, coming back at safety and a strong defense all the way around and you’re talking about a team that’s well rounded. Erasing the memories of last year probably isn’t something they’ve done as the Seminoles use it for motivational fuel. 

FSU High can be back in Tallahassee (maybe against Cocoa?) and the talent will most certainly be there to take them where they want. 

Trinity Catholic running it back in return to states in 1S?  

If there was one team that would’ve liked a mulligan on its state championship more so than anyone else, it’s the Celtics of Ocala. 

Falling to First Baptist Academy in the Class 1S state championship was a tough pill to swallow, especially with the kind of size advantage it looked like Trinity Catholic had. No matter as the Lions brought home their first-ever state championship. 

First Baptist lost some key players to graduation and will have an uphill climb in attempting to repeat as champions. Trinity Catholic on the other hand seemingly got stronger over the off-season. 

Trinity Catholic has won state championships in the past and are looking to add No. 

An interesting quarterback battle has ensued between incumbent Preston Wright and North Marion transfer AJ Cussins. Whomever can take charge and be the guy for the Celtics this fall will have a stout offensive line once again and a slew of skill players to get the ball out to. 

In other words, Trinity Catholic should have what it takes to get back to Tallahassee and take another crack at winning a state championship in 1S. 

Hawthorne infused with talent via a boatload of transfers recently 

It was seemingly heartbreak after heartbreak for the Hornets when it came to state championship games before finally breaking through last season versus Northview for the 1R crown. 

Now, this team is the front runner and that’s been bolstered immensely with a series of transfers that took place very recently. That’s with it looking like it was going to be a quiet off-season over at Hawthorne. 

Hawthorne won its first state championship in 2022 and is hungry for more this fall 

The Hornets just last week had a number of players announce via what was known then as Twitter and is now ‘X’, that they would be transferring to Hawthorne. Among them is defensive end Andrew Zock, a Navy commitment, is heading over from North Marion. 

Multiple difference makers will be joining the Hornets on the offensive side of the ball as Alvon Isaac (USF commit) heads to Hawthorne from The Villages and Caleb Rollerson (40 catches, 612 yards in 2022) is another North Marion transfer.  

Yes, Blountstown, Chiefland, Northview, Pahokee, Williston and others will have something to say when it comes playoff time. Just all these newbies now at Hawthorne really makes this Hornets club the team to beat in Class 1R. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.