As three-time defending state champion Cocoa, state runner up Havana Gadsden County (who are under investigation at press time) and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney are heavy favorites to reach the 2A state title game at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, there are other teams that you may want to keep an eye on.
In northern Florida, programs such as longtime power Jacksonville Bolles, Starke Bradford County and Newberry have a chance to be special this coming season.
It’s south Florida where these is not a clear-cut favorite that all eyes will be on all season.
With Coach Tim “Ice” Harris leaving longtime power Miami Booker T. Washington, the Tornadoes are in the rebuilding process. Miami Carol City is still looking to come back after a strong off-season. But there is one program that many could be overlooking.
For veteran head coach Matt Dubuc and his Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs, it wasn’t that long ago that this program was a state power – winning three titles and producing elite talent.
With some key losses before the 2024 season, this team did make the playoffs only to lose to Booker T. Washington and ended the year.
As the season is set to begin, Cardinal Gibbons is back on track with some quality talent that returns along with new faces that has given this team a new look.
One of the better coached programs in south Florida, you must figure that this is a program that could have a breakthrough season and return to the elite teams in the state.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/21 - Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
8/29 - @Hollywood South Broward
9/5 - @Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
9/11 - @Pembroke Pines West Broward
9/20 - @Coconut Creek
10/3 – Hallandale
10/10 – Deerfield Beach
10/16 –@Boca Raton
10/24 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
10/31 - Miramar
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian. Coming off a 7-4 season, veteran head coach Kirk Hoza and the Eagles will be young, setting the table for the future. This is a program that is always in the state playoff mix.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 – Miami Belen Jesuit
8/28 - @Fort Lauderdale University School
9/5 – Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
9/12 – North Lauderdale Somerset Prep
9/18 - @North Miami
10/3 – Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
10/9 - @Coconut Creek North Broward Prep
10/17 - @Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy
10/24 – Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
Miami Booker T. Washington. One of the programs that continues to be in the mix every year may have a bit of a drop off this season – with new head coach Dorean James taking over for legendary “Ice” Harris. The numbers are good, but the team is young and the schedule is quite challenging.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 – Homestead South Dade
8/29 - @Miami Palmetto
9/5 – Miami Central
9/11 - @Miami Immaculata LaSalle
9/19 – Lakeland
9/25 - @Miami Springs
10/3 - @Vero Beach
10/9 – Homestead
10/17 – GMAC Week
10/23 – Miami Ransom Everglades
Miami Carol City. The Chiefs continue to turn the corner after advancing to the state playoffs last season under head coach George Stubbs Sr. While they are coming off a quality off season, there are still some young prospects who will be needed.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/21 – Hialeah
8/28 – Miami Norland
9/4 - @Miami Northwestern
9/11 – Westland Hialeah
9/26 - @Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
10/2 – South Miami
10/10 - @North Miami Beach
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/30 - @Miami Central
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace. If there is a team flying under the radar it could be head coach Anthony Walker Sr. and the Spartans, who are coming off a state playoff year and enjoyed a productive off season.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/29 – Miami Gulliver Prep
9/6 - @Miami True North Classical Academy
9/12 – Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
9/18 - @Miami Edison
9/26 – Miami Carol City
10/3 - @Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
10/10 – Westland Hialeah
10/17 - @Sarasota Cardinal Mooney
10/24 – North Miami Beach
10/31 – Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
Miami Immaculata LaSalle. Coming off an impressive 11-2 record, head coach Helder Valle and the Royal Lions will need to replace some key players if they are to repeat last year’s outstanding season. They have the talent for another run and appear to be the favorite in district play.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 – Miami High
8/29 - @Miami Jackson
9/5 - @Miami Belen Jesuit
9/11 – Miami Booker T. Washington
9/26 - @Miami Ransom Everglades
10/3 - @Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
10/10 – Miami Springs
10/17 – Miami St. Brendan
10/24 – Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
10/31 - @Miami Dr. Krop
North Miami Beach. Finishing 4-8 a year ago, playing a challenging schedule, veteran head coach Jeff Bertani and the Chargers will once again look to make the playoffs this coming season with a mix of youth and veteran players.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 - @Tampa Carrollwood Day
8/30 - @North Miami
9/12 - @Punta Gorda Charlotte
9/20 - @Hialeah American
10/3 - @Lake Mary
10/10 – Miami Carol City
10/17 – GMAC Week
10/24 - @Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
10/30 -Naples St. John Neumann
@ At the writing of this story, not all schedules were complete.
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