Florida continues to assert itself as a national powerhouse in high school football, with five teams ranked in the top 11 of the 2025 MaxPreps preseason Top 25. That elite group includes Chaminade-Madonna, American Heritage, St. Thomas Aquinas, Northwestern, and IMG Academy, with several of those programs set to compete in the upcoming Broward County National Football Showcase from Aug. 21–23 in Fort Lauderdale.
Defending national champion Mater Dei of Santa Ana, California, once again tops the preseason rankings after a perfect 13-0 campaign in 2023. The Monarchs return a star-studded roster under head coach Raul Lara, featuring USC-bound tight end Mark Bowman and Ohio State commits Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Chris Henry Jr. Mater Dei has captured five CIF Open Division state titles since 2017 and is considered the team to beat heading into the fall.
Florida’s dominance is reflected by the depth and talent spread across its top-ranked programs:
- No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton): A perennial national contender, IMG went 10-1 last season with wins over several out-of-state powers. Though they’re not part of the Broward Showcase, the Ascenders remain a favorite to make another title run with a roster full of Power 5 recruits.
- No. 7 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood): The defending FHSAA Class 1M state champions return with one of the most talented lineups in the country. Head coach Dameon Jones has built a national brand in South Florida, and the Lions will test themselves early in the season at the Broward Showcase.
- No. 8 American Heritage (Plantation): A consistent top-10 program under head coach Mike Smith, the Patriots reached the Class 2M state semifinals last season and are loaded again with Division I talent.
- No. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale): Winners of four straight state titles, the Raiders are one of the most decorated programs in Florida history. Their Aug. 23 matchup against Mater Dei at the Broward Showcase is one of the most anticipated games on the national calendar.
- No. 11 Northwestern (Miami): The Bulls round out Florida’s top-tier showing, representing Miami-Dade County with a roster that blends speed, toughness, and championship experience.
Broward County Showcase Spotlight
The 2025 Broward County National Football Showcase, hosted by the Broward Education Foundation, will feature eight high-profile matchups across three days, with games taking place at St. Thomas Aquinas, Dillard High School, and Western High School.
Here’s the updated schedule of games, according to the official showcase website:
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Dillard High School
- Monarch (FL) vs. Bolles (FL)
- Piper (FL) vs. Peachtree Ridge (GA)
Friday, Aug. 22 – St. Thomas Aquinas High School
- West Broward (FL) vs. Corner Canyon (UT)
- American Heritage (FL) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)
Friday, Aug. 22 – Western High School
- Blanche Ely (FL) vs. Trinity Episcopal (VA)
- Coconut Creek (FL) vs. Life Christian Academy (VA)
Saturday, Aug. 23 – St. Thomas Aquinas High School
- Chaminade-Madonna (FL) vs. St. Frances Academy (MD)
- St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) vs. Mater Dei (CA)
The matchup between No. 1 Mater Dei and No. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas is expected to be a defining moment of the early season. It marks one of the few times the reigning national champion travels to Florida for a regular-season game, providing a rare chance for the Raiders to make their case for national supremacy.
The showcase, now in its fourth year, has become one of the premier national high school football events. It offers unmatched exposure for players and programs alike, reinforcing Broward County’s reputation as one of the most talent-rich areas in the country.
