Florida's top programs begin their pursuit of a state championship as the Sunshine State's postseason begins

The big story in Florida this week as the Sunshine State heads toward the high school football season was the saga involving the No. 1/No. 1 IMG Academy [Bradenton, FL] Ascenders.

The Ascenders were scheduled to play the No. 4/SN No. 4 St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers last Friday night before reports emerged that the game was being delayed in order to possibly move the game to December. The game would have major implications in the national championship picture as both teams were ranked No. 1 in various lists used to compile AllSportsPeople Composite Rankings.

The new date was then confirmed as December 10 in a report on SI.com last Wednesday, November 5. By Friday morning, however, reports began to emerge that IMG Academy was backing out of the game altogether. IMG Academy's official statement, however, led to more questions than answers:

IMG Academy Statement on St. Frances Football Game pic.twitter.com/gL4NS3B4rp

— IMG Academy Football (@IMGAFootball) November 7, 2025

Essentially, IMG claimed it was backing out of the game due to its concern for "player health and safety" due to the long layoff they would incur by moving the game to December along with the fact it would interfere with the transition to college for the program's seniors.

The statement went on to say that IMG Academy's purpose 'extends beyond championships,' a signal that the school's administrators are at least comfortable with a decision that will likely cost them a shot at the national championship. While they remain No. 1 in AllSportsPeople High School Football Top 25 for now, the Ascenders have effectively erased what could have been the biggest bullet point on their resume when AllSportsPeople issues its final rankings in December.

IMG Academy operates as an independent program playing a national schedule, and the Ascenders con't participate in Florida's postseason. With high-ranked teams in the Sunshine State kicking off postseason play this week along with Top 10 programs in California, Georgia, and Texas, IMG went from controlling its own destiny to needing a lot of teams in those states to now lose down the stretch to hold onto The SN No. 1 position. IMG also remains No. 1in ESPN's rankings along with USA Today's Super 25.

It's unclear how this might affect the Ascenders in the long run in ESPN's rankings, but USA Today also noted in its latest edition that "with the postseason starting next week for most other teams, (the Ascenders) may be hard-pressed to hold on to (their No. 1) position long-term."

In the meantime, the rest of Florida's top-ranked programs including the No. 11/SN No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Raiders head full steam into the playoffs this week. The Raiders are likely eliminated from national title consideration, but remain in position to possibly finish in the national Top 5 by season's end. We'll update Florida's top four classifications below throughout the playoffs.

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Florida's FHSAA Class 7A/6A/5A/4A playoff brackets

MORE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL BRACKETS

• Florida FHSAA Class 7A
• Florida FHSSA Class 6A
• Florida FHSSA Class 5A
• Florida FHSSA Class 4A
• Florida FHSSA Class 3A
• Florida FHSSA Class 2A
• Florida FHSSA Class 1A
• Florida Rural
• Florida FIT 2 (4A-7A)
• Florida FIT 1 (1A-3A)
• Florida Rural FIT
• SSAA 11-Man State Championship
• SSAA 3A Championship
• SSAA 2A Championship
• SSAA 1A Championship
• SSAA Atlantic State Championship
• SSAA Atlantic 1A

^{NR — Not ranked; the first ranking is AllSportsPeople Composite ranking; if a team is ranked in AllSportsPeople High School Football Top 25, that ranking is listed following the composite ranking; additional rankings include teams in The NEXT 25.}

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Class 7A

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Opening Round

Friday, November 14, 2025 (unless noted otherwise)

• NR DeLand [FL] Bulldogs (10-0) vs. NR Creekside [St. Johns, FL] Knights (4-6) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Boone [Orlando, FL] Braves (9-1) vs. NR Winter Park [FL] Wildcats (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Lake Mary [FL] Rams (7-3) vs. NR Hagerty [Oviedo, FL] Huskies (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Spruce Creek [Port Orange, FL] Hawks (8-2) vs. NR Seminole [Sanford, FL] Seminoles (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Venice [FL] Indians (6-3) vs. NR Ridge Community [Davenport, FL] Bolts (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR West Orange [Winter Garden, FL] Warriors (9-1) vs. NR Plant City [FL] Raiders (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Riverview Sarasota [Sarasota, FL] Rams (8-1-1) vs. NR Winter Haven [FL] Blue Devils (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Sumner [Riverview, FL] Stingrays (8-2) vs. NR Ocoee [FL] Knights (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Vero Beach [FL] Indians (10-0) vs. NR East Ridge [Clermont, FL] Knights (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR St. Cloud [FL] Bulldogs (8-2) vs. NR Lake Nona [Orlando, FL] Lions (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Jupiter [FL] Warriors (10-0) vs. NR Dr. Phillips [Orlando, FL] Panthers (7-3) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Central [Fort Pierce, FL] Cobras (9-1) vs. NR Palm Beach Central [Wellington, FL] Broncos (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Palmetto [Miami, FL] Panthers (8-2) vs. NR Coral Glades [Coral Springs, FL] Jaguars (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local*
• NR Santaluces [Lantana, FL] Chiefs (6-3) vs. NR Columbus [Miami FL] Explorers (3-7) — 6 p.m. EST local
• NR Spanish River [Boca Raton, FL] Sharks (6-4) vs. NR Western [Davie, FL] Wildcats (4-6) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Goleman [Miami, FL] Gators (6-4) vs. NR South Dade [Homestead, FL] Buccaneers (5-5) — 7 p.m. EST local

* — Thursday, November 13

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Class 6A

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Opening Round

Friday, November 14, 2025

• NR Buchholz [Gainesville, FL] Bobcats (9-1) vs. NR Oviedo [FL] Lions (8-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Nease [Ponte Vedra, FL] Panthers (8-2) vs. NR Oakleaf [Orange Park, FL] Knights (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Mandarin [Jacksonville, FL] Mustangs (9-1) vs. NR Crestview [FL] Bulldogs (6-3) — 6:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Pace [FL] Patriots (9-1) vs. NR Evans [Orlando, FL] Trojans (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Armwood [Seffner, FL] Hawks (10-0) vs. NR Melbourne [FL] Bulldogs (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Viera [FL] Hawks (6-4) vs. NR Riverview [FL] Sharks (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR South Lake [Groveland, FL] Eagles (9-1) vs. NR Plant [Tampa, FL] Panthers (5-5) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Osceola [Kissimmee, FL] Kowboys (6-4) vs. NR Durant [Plant City, FL] Cougars (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Palmetto [FL] Tigers (9-1) vs. NR Wiregrass Ranch [Wesley Chapel, FL] Bulls (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Lennard [Ruskin, FL] Longhorns (8-2) vs. NR Mitchell [New Port Richey, FL] Mustangs (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR West Boca Raton [Boca Raton, FL] Bulls (8-2) vs. NR Largo [FL] Packers (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Parrish [FL] Community Bulls (9-1) vs. NR East Lake [Tarpon Springs, FL] Eagles (7-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Southridge [Miami, FL] Spartans (9-1) vs. NR Nova [Davie, FL] Titans (5-5) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Flanagan [Pembroke Pines, FL] Falcons (8-2) vs. NR Piper [Sunrise, FL] Bengals (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR West Broward [Pembroke Pines, FL] Bobcats (8-2) vs. NR South Plantation [Plantation, FL] Paladins (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Monarch [Coconut Creek, FL] Knights (6-4) vs. NR Doral [FL] Academy Firebirds (5-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local

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Class 5A

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Opening Round

Friday, November 14, 2025

• NR Ponte Vedra [FL] Sharks (8-2) vs. NR Niceville [FL] Eagles (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Beachside [St. Johns, FL] Barracudas (7-3) vs. NR Milton [FL] Panthers (7-3) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Mainland [Daytona Beach, FL] Buccaneers (7-2) vs. NR Middleburg [FL] Broncos (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Mosley [Lynn Haven, FL] Dolphins (9-1) vs. NR Lincoln [Tallahassee, FL] Trojans (6-4) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Edgewater [Orlando, FL] Eagles (10-0) vs. NR Lake Gibson [Lakeland, FL] Braves (5-5) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Tampa [FL] Bay Tech Titans (8-2) vs. NR Sebring [FL] Blue Streaks (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Lakeland [FL] Dreadnaughts (8-2) vs. NR Wesley Chapel [FL] Wildcats (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Gaither [Tampa, FL] Cowboys (9-1) vs. NR Winter Springs [FL] Bears (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Riverdale [Fort Myers, FL] Raiders (9-1) vs. NR North Fort Myers [FL] Red Knights (4-6) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Immokalee [FL] Indians (7-2) vs. NR Pinellas Park [Largo, FL] Patriots (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Cape Coral [FL] Seahawks (9-1) vs. NR Gulf Coast [Naples, FL] Sharks (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Manatee [Bradenton, FL] Hurricanes (4-6) vs. NR Charlotte [Punta Gorda, FL] Fightin' Tarpons (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR St. Thomas Aquinas [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Raiders (9-1) vs. NR Heritage [Palm Bay, FL] Panthers (4-6) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Coconut Creek [FL] Cougars (8-2) vs. NR Mater Academy Charter [Hialeah Gardens, FL] Lions (8-2) — 7 p.m. EST local
• NR Atlantic [Delray Beach, FL] Eagles (9-1) vs. NR North Miami [FL] Pioneers (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Martin County [Stuart, FL] Tigers (8-2) vs. NR McArthur [Hollywood, FL] Mustangs (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local

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Class 4A

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Opening Round

Friday, November 14, 2025

• NR St. Augustine [FL] Yellow Jackets (9-1) vs. NR Arnold [Panama City Beach, FL] Marlins (3-7) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR ED White [Jacksonville, FL] Commanders (8-2) vs. NR Pine Forest [Pensacola, FL] Eagles (3-6) — 6:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Choctawhatchee [Fort Walton Beach, FL] Indians (9-1) vs. NR Booker T. Washington [Pensacola, FL] Wildcats (5-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Columbia [Lake City, FL] Tigers (8-2) vs. NR Rickards [Tallahassee, FL] Raiders (3-7) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Jones [Orlando, FL] Fightin' Tigers (8-2) vs. NR Deltona [FL] Wolves (5-5) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Auburndale [FL] Bloodhounds (8-2) vs. NR Vanguard [Ocala, FL] Knights (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Zephyrhills [FL] Bulldogs (10-0) vs. NR Rockledge [FL] Raiders (3-7) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Lake Wales [FL] Highlanders (8-2) vs. NR New Smyrna Beach [FL] Barracudas (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Jesuit [Tampa, FL] Tigers (9-1) vs. NR Osceola [Seminole, FL] Warriors (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Naples [FL] Golden Eagles (6-3-1) vs. NR South Fort Myers [Fort Myers, FL] Wolfpack (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Port Charlotte [FL] Pirates (8-2) vs. NR Dunbar [Fort Myers, FL] Tigers (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Clearwater [FL] Tornadoes (7-3) vs. NR Blake [Tampa, FL] Yellow Jackets (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Archbishop McCarthy [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Mavericks (8-2) vs. NR Hialeah [FL] Thoroughbreds (7-3) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Norland [Miami, FL] Vikings (5-5) vs. NR Jensen Beach [FL] Falcons (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR American Heritage [Plantation, FL] Patriots (4-5) vs. NR John Carroll Catholic [Fort Pierce, FL] Rams (8-2) — 7:30 p.m. EST local
• NR Dillard [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Panthers (10-0) vs. NR Plantation [FL] Colonels (6-4) — 7:30 p.m. EST local

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

• AllSportsPeople High School Football Top 25: National Week 13
• AllSportsPeople High School Football Composite Rankings: National Week 13
• The NEXT 25 presented by AllSportsPeople
• How the nation's top teams fared last week
• Streak Busters Week 13 – double-digit win streaks fall across the country