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Florida high school football: Central vs. Norland headlines top games of Week 8

jon santucci, palm beach post
·7 min read

Norland has been seen as a credible challenger to Miami Central all season.

The Vikings have several Power 5 commits on the roster, an experienced quarterback and currently are ranked No. 1 in Class 2M on the FHSAA’s power rankings.

We’ll find out how worthy a challenger Norland is on Friday when they take on Central in a District 13-2M game at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.

Norland is 6-0 and the No. 2 team in Class 2M; Central, the defending state champion, is 3-2 and the No. 1 team in the state.

Norland is coming off a 20-19 win against Booker T. Washington. The Vikings trailed 19-7 in the fourth quarter but rallied to pull out the win.

Central, whose two losses are to nationally ranked Bishop Gorman and Chaminade-Madonna, beat rival Northwestern 17-10 last week. The Rockets scored 10 points in the final five minutes of the third quarter to take the lead and held on to win.

Miami Central coach Jube Joseph lifts the Class 2M state championship after the Rockets 38-31 win against American Heritage on Friday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami Central coach Jube Joseph lifts the Class 2M state championship after the Rockets 38-31 win against American Heritage on Friday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

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The winner of Friday’s game will move into the driver’s seat for the district championship, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see these two meet again in the regional playoffs.

Here are the other top games to watch in Week 8.

Pensacola Catholic (5-1, No. 5 Class 2S) at Walton (6-0, No. 9 Class 2S)

CJ Nettles (25) takes it in for a touchdown and a 12-0 Crusaders lead during the Pensacola Catholic vs Escambia football game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
CJ Nettles (25) takes it in for a touchdown and a 12-0 Crusaders lead during the Pensacola Catholic vs Escambia football game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Walton is the No. 2 team in Class 2S on the FHSAA power rankings and has scored at least 31 points in every game this season. Pensacola Catholic is undefeated against Florida opponents and has held four teams to two touchdowns or less.

Cocoa (5-1, No 1 Class 2S) vs. Titusville (7-0, No. 10 Class 2S)

Titusville Terrier quarterback Josiah Allen (17) rifles a pass deep down field against the hosting Space Coast Vipers on Friday, September 29, 2023. Rob Zolman for Florida Today.
Titusville Terrier quarterback Josiah Allen (17) rifles a pass deep down field against the hosting Space Coast Vipers on Friday, September 29, 2023. Rob Zolman for Florida Today.

Titusville is off to its best start since the 1970s and face their toughest test of the season in top-ranked Cocoa. Three of the Terriers past four games have been decided by six points or less. Cocoa has won three in a row, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 94-10.

Union County (3-2, No. 5 Class 1R) at Hawthorne (6-0, No. 1 Class 1R)

Hawthorne Hornets quarterback CJ Ingram (7) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Newberry Panthers at Newberry High School in Newberry, FL on Friday, September 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Hawthorne Hornets quarterback CJ Ingram (7) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Newberry Panthers at Newberry High School in Newberry, FL on Friday, September 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Two of the top Rural teams in the state meet in a potential postseason matchup. Union County’s two losses by a total of four points against Walton and Orlando Christian Prep, which are both undefeated. Hawthorne, the defending Class 1R champion, has scored at least 40 points in its past five games.

Escambia (5-1, No. 4 Class 3S) at Choctawhatchee (4-2, No. 9 Class 3S)

Diego Dukes (13) carries the ball during the Washington vs Escambia football game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
Diego Dukes (13) carries the ball during the Washington vs Escambia football game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for the District 1-3S championship. Escambia has three consecutive shutouts and scored at least 31 points in each of their wins. Choctawhatchee, which won last year’s game 28-27, has won four of its past five with an average margin of victory of 24.75 points.

Suwannee (6-0, No. 7 Class 2S) at Madison County (3-1, No. 3 Class 1R)

Suwannee has been dominant this season, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 220-59. The Bulldogs defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than one touchdown since Sept. 8. Madison County is averaging 31.5 points per game  this season.

DeLand (5-1, No. 7 Class 4S) at Seminole (5-2, No. 3 Class 4M)

Deland (9) Javon Ross runs through the field after catching the ball during Friday nights game.
Deland (9) Javon Ross runs through the field after catching the ball during Friday nights game.

DeLand has won five in a row and is playing its first Metro opponent of the season. The Bulldogs have scored at least 28 points in every game this season. Seminole, which is undefeated at home this season, is looking to rebound from a 28-3 loss at Cocoa.

Key games to watch

Booker T. Washington at Miami Northwestern

Booker T. Washington is 3-2 and No. 4 in Class 2M; Northwestern is 2-5 and receiving votes in Class 2M

Bradford at True North Classical

Bradford Chalil Cummings (2) hauls in a pass for an interception meant for Buchholz Bobcats Judah Nattiel (20). The Bradford Tornadoes hosted the Buchholz Bobcats at Bradford High School in Starke, FL on Thursday, May 25, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Bradford Chalil Cummings (2) hauls in a pass for an interception meant for Buchholz Bobcats Judah Nattiel (20). The Bradford Tornadoes hosted the Buchholz Bobcats at Bradford High School in Starke, FL on Thursday, May 25, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Bradford is 6-0 and No. 3 in Class 2S; True North is 6-0 and receiving votes in Class 1M

South Dade at Miami Palmetto

South Dade is 5-1 and receiving votes in Class 4M; Palmetto is 5-1 and No. 4 in Class 4M

Pahokee at Benjamin

Pahokee quarterback Xavier Mitchell calls for the snap during the first half of the Blue Devils’ regular season game against Atlantic on Oct. 6, 2023.
Pahokee quarterback Xavier Mitchell calls for the snap during the first half of the Blue Devils’ regular season game against Atlantic on Oct. 6, 2023.

Pahokee is 4-3 and receiving votes in Class 1R; Benjamin is 5-1 and is No. 5 in Class 1M

Southridge at Homestead

Southridge is 6-1 and No. 10 in Class 3M; Homestead is 4-1 and No. 3 in Class 3M

Creekside at Bartram Trail

Creekside's Brody McGough (21), Cole Long (55) and Tyce Donnelly (44) prepare to wrap up Oakleaf quarterback Brandon Wallace Jr. (7) for a sack during a high school football game on September 29, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
Creekside's Brody McGough (21), Cole Long (55) and Tyce Donnelly (44) prepare to wrap up Oakleaf quarterback Brandon Wallace Jr. (7) for a sack during a high school football game on September 29, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

Creekside is 3-3 and is receiving votes in Class 4S; Bartram Trail is 3-3 and No. 10 in Class 4S

Clearwater vs. Calvary Christian

Clearwater is 4-2 and receiving votes in Class 2M; Calvary Christian is 4-2 and No. 7 in Class 2M

Orlando Christian Prep vs. Bishop Moore

Orlando Christian Prep is 7-0 and receiving votes in Class 1M; Bishop Moore is 3-3 and receiving votes in Class 2M

Tampa Bay Tech at Wharton

Tampa Bay Tech is 7-0 and No. 4 in Class 3M; Wharton is 3-3 and receiving votes in Class 3M

Individual matchups featuring top recruits

Central 2025 EDGE Armondo Blount vs. Norland 2024 OL Raynor Andrews

Blount is committed to Miami; Andrews is committed to Rutgers

South Dade 2026 S Tedrick Lee vs. Miami Palmetto 2024 ATH Jacorey Barney

Miami Palmetto wide receiver Jacorey Barney goes up for a catch in a spring jamboree at Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday.
Miami Palmetto wide receiver Jacorey Barney goes up for a catch in a spring jamboree at Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday.

Lee has an offer from Arkansas; Barney is committed to Nebraska

Booker T. Washington 2025 CB Ben Hanks Jr. vs. Northwestern 2026 WR Calvin Russell Jr.

Hanks’ offers include Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Georgia; Russell’s offers include Florida, Florida State, Miami and Penn State

Bradford 2024 ATH Chalil Cummings vs. True North Classical 2027 QB Zachary Katz

Cummings’ offers include Florida State, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee; Katz’ offers include FIU and Western Michigan

Pahokee 2024 WR Hardley Gilmore vs. Benjamin 2024 DB Jacob Cosby-Mosley

Pahokee’s Hardley Gilmore reels in a catch over the middle against Atlantic. His athleticism gave Eagles defenders issues throughout the evening during the squads’ game on Oct. 6, 2023.
Pahokee’s Hardley Gilmore reels in a catch over the middle against Atlantic. His athleticism gave Eagles defenders issues throughout the evening during the squads’ game on Oct. 6, 2023.

Gilmore is committed to Kentucky; Cosby-Mosley is committed to Wake Forest

Atlantic 2024 RB/WR Damarion Alberic vs. Seminole Ridge 2025 LB Ty Jackson

Alberic is committed to UMAss; Jackon’s offers include Florida, Florida State, LSU and Missouri

Golden Gate 2025 ATH Bradley Martino vs. Barron Collier 2025 QB Niko Boyce

Golden Gate Titans defensive back Bradley Martino (2) celebrates a play during the third quarter of a game against the Gulf Coast Sharks at Gulf Coast High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Golden Gate Titans defensive back Bradley Martino (2) celebrates a play during the third quarter of a game against the Gulf Coast Sharks at Gulf Coast High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Martino’s offers include Illinois and Pitt; Boyce’s offers include Oregon and UConn

Lincoln 2024 OL Alexander Gale vs. Rickards 2025 EDGE/DL Jalen Wiggins

Gale is committed to Akron; Wiggins’ offers include Florida, Florida State, Miami and Mississippi State

Dunbar 2024 WR Tawaski Abrams vs. Lowndes 2024 ATH Anthony Carter

Tawaski Abrams of Dunbar jumps out of reach of Jeremiah Dean of Bishop Verot on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers.
Tawaski Abrams of Dunbar jumps out of reach of Jeremiah Dean of Bishop Verot on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers.

Abrams is committed to Florida; Carter is committed to Arkansas State

Southridge 2024 WR Jayquan Reid vs. Homestead 2025 CB Lance Grant

Reid’s offers include Iowa, USF and UCF; Grant’s offers include Boston College, Marshall and Tulane

Trinity Christian 2024 QB Colin Hurley vs. University Christian 2024 S Dahkari Gilley

Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors quarterback Colin Hurley (2) targets a receiver during late third quarter action. The Ed White Commanders traveled to Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors stadium for their High School Football game Friday night, August 25, 2023.
Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors quarterback Colin Hurley (2) targets a receiver during late third quarter action. The Ed White Commanders traveled to Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors stadium for their High School Football game Friday night, August 25, 2023.

Hurley is committed to LSU; Gilley is committed to Rutgers

Gaither 2025 DL Antonio Henley vs. Jesuit 2025 RB Justin Thurman

Henley’s offers include Louisville, Maryland, Penn State and Syracuse; Thurman is committed to Notre Dame

Tampa Bay Tech 2024 RB Rod Gainey Jr. vs. Wharton 2024 EDGE Booker Pickett Jr.

Gainey is committed to Charlotte; Pickett’s offers include Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and South Carolina

Fleming Island 2025 DB Kaylib Singleton vs. Mandarin 2025 WR Jamie Ffrench

Fleming Island defensive back Kaylib Singleton prepares to return a kickoff against Oakleaf.
Fleming Island defensive back Kaylib Singleton prepares to return a kickoff against Oakleaf.

Singleton’s offers include Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky and UCF; Ffrench is committed to Alabama

Evans 2024 S Brandon Jacob vs. Lake Mary 2026 QB Noah Grubbs

Jacob is committed to Maryland; Grubbs’ offers include Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State

Pace 2024 ATH Xakary Wiedner vs. Tate 2025 ATH Christian Neptune

Christian Neptune (1) returns a kickoff during the Northview vs Tate football game at Tate High School in Cantonment on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Christian Neptune (1) returns a kickoff during the Northview vs Tate football game at Tate High School in Cantonment on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Wiedner is committed to Coastal Carolina; Neptune’s offers include Arizona, Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Tulane

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida high school football: Central vs. Norland and Week 8 top games