Florida HS Football

🐎 Palm Beach Central enters 2026 with more size up front, higher expectations and a major question at quarterback.

The Broncos must replace Chance Routson’s 2,421 yards of total offense. Brandon Pendergrass II returns after rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Donnie Yocum IV gives the next quarterback a proven receiving option. 🏈

Defensively, Tyler Alexander is the centerpiece after producing 46 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries. Palm Beach Central also must replace six of its seven most productive tacklers. 💥

The schedule starts with Glades Central and builds toward consecutive district tests against Santaluces and Jupiter. How quickly the new offense settles will define the season. 🔥

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: No. 96 Palm Beach Central Broncos — 2026 Season Preview, Schedule Analysis, Players to Watch and Playoff Outlook

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😈 Pahokee is replacing the engine of its 2025 offense, not merely filling one vacancy.

The Blue Devils lost their leading passer, leading rusher and top four receivers. Mari Singleton and Antoine Lawrence now become central pieces as Pahokee rebuilds its backfield and develops a new quarterback. 🏈

The defensive transition is just as significant. Ashston Walker and Demarion Harris return after combining for nine sacks, but Pahokee must replace Antonio Simpson and Ceejay Embry, who produced 24 combined sacks last season. 💥

Atlantic, Vero Beach and Glades Central give the schedule a difficult top end, while John Carroll could decide District 1A-10. How quickly the offense finds a reliable identity will define the season. 🔥

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: No. 97 Pahokee Blue Devils — 2026 Season Preview, Schedule Analysis, Players to Watch and Playoff Outlook

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🏈 Boone enters 2026 with a new head coach, a rebuilt offense and the challenge of replacing the core of a 10-2 team.

Charles Sprenkel takes over after Andy Johnson’s 14-season tenure. Offensively, the Braves must replace Aaron Hardy Jr.’s 1,541 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, along with Sam Johnson’s 1,799 passing yards and 19 scores. Stanley Etienne is the most intriguing returning back after producing 82 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. 👀

The defense offers more certainty. Max Edmunds recorded 72 tackles, Liam Graham added 61 and CJ Nassar finished with five interceptions. Ryan Coughlin and Laadan Hodge also return after combining for 10 tackles for loss. 💥

The transition will be tested on the road against Jones and Edgewater, while district games against Timber Creek, Hagerty and Winter Park will determine Boone’s playoff path. 🔥

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: No. 98 Boone Braves — 2026 Season Preview, Schedule Analysis, Players to Watch and Playoff Outlook

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🐂 Wiregrass Ranch enters 2026 with a new quarterback, a proven 1,000-yard receiver and a veteran offensive line built to make the transition work.

Ryan Browning arrives from Gaither after throwing for 1,883 yards, 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He reunites with Kamoni Dotson, who caught 66 passes for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns last season. 🏈

The Bulls also bring back significant size up front, while Chase Cobb and Carson Kantor must lead a defense replacing contributors at every level. The early Berkeley Prep-Wesley Chapel-Plant City stretch will show how quickly those pieces fit together. 🔥

Wiregrass Ranch owns the strongest preseason rating in District 5A-7. The central question is whether the Bulls can turn that advantage into a district championship and automatic playoff berth.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: No. 99 Wiregrass Ranch Bulls — 2026 Season Preview, Schedule Analysis, Players to Watch and Playoff Outlook



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🐅 Columbia enters 2026 with a new quarterback, proven playmakers around him and a schedule that offers almost no room for a slow start.

Transfer Amari Green takes over after Xavier Collins’ departure. Jerome Horne returns after rushing for 482 yards and eight touchdowns in six games, while Kyren Caldwell is back after a 701-yard, eight-touchdown season. 🏈

The defense remains the foundation, with Jaden McCray, Jaylen Underwood, Alfonso Curry Jr. and Mikel Morgan giving Columbia a front capable of creating problems. 💥

Then there is the schedule: Bolles, Lakewood, Madison County, Trinity Christian and Manatee all appear before the bye. 🔥

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: No. 100 Columbia Tigers — 2026 Season Preview, Schedule Analysis, Players to Watch and Playoff Outlook

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The countdown begins today.

FloridaHSFootball.com is launching the 2026 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF, ranking and previewing teams from No. 100 all the way to No. 1.

Each preview will include:

Full schedule analysis
Players to watch
Key losses
Defining games
District and playoff outlook

First up later today: No. 100 Columbia Tigers.

A new era is beginning at Booker.

The Tornadoes have hired former USF quarterback and inaugural Bulls captain Lance Hoeltke as their new head football coach.

Hoeltke inherits a program that has reached three consecutive state semifinals but now faces major roster turnover, an abrupt coaching transition and a demanding 2026 schedule that begins against Venice.

Read the full story at the link in the comments.

Want to go directly to the rankings?

Teams No. 101 through No. 572 in the 2026 Preseason FPRI are now available.

The Top 100 remains unrevealed and will begin Thursday with No. 100.

View the rankings at the link in the comments.

The first 472 teams in the 2026 Preseason FPRI rankings are now revealed.

Our full breakdown examines the biggest movers, contrasting 2024 and 2025 results and the tightly packed group immediately outside the Top 100.

The Top 100 countdown begins Thursday with No. 100.

Read the full article at the link in the comments.

How does the Florida Power Rankings Index work?

Our full FPRI explainer covers how teams are evaluated, why strength of schedule matters, how preseason influence gradually fades during the season and how the system powers rankings, forecasts and postseason probabilities.

The statewide rankings and weekly projected winners will remain free throughout the season.

Read the full explainer at the link in the comments.