Top 5 2024 Florida out-of-state high school football games
Can’t get enough of your high school football fix?
Well, we continue with taking a look ahead to the 2024 season as teams begin to release finalized schedules and we’re beginning to see some interesting matchups popup.
Among the games we see besides interstate ones are also out-of-state. Florida high school football teams are looking to travel outside of the Sunshine State for 2024 and test their staff and players in a new environment.
We’ve plucked out five games that stand out to us so far and we list them down below.
Manatee at Lowndes (GA): This game stood out the moment Lowndes released its 2024 regular season schedule. The Hurricanes took a big leap under Jacquez Green in 2023, finishing 9-3, and now his confidence in sending his club out of state speaks volumes. To play in Valdosta against the Vikings is always an experience like none other, so the environment should be electric on Sep. 6. Manatee quarterback Andrew Heidel heads into his senior season with high expectations in leading the Hurricanes.
Leesburg at Gonzaga (DC): Former Eustis head coach Frank Scott, who inherits a Yellow Jackets’ team looking to build atop of what they did in 2023. Scott will lead Leesburg up against a Gonzaga program that finished 6-5 last season. This game is an interesting one as it’s tall telling of where Leesburg wants to be at as a Central Florida football program.
Winter Haven at Knoxville Catholic (TN): This particular game pits two teams that finished with seven wins from the 2023 campaign. Carl White is entering his second season as the Blue Devils head coach and he’s looking to take Winter Haven to the next level. White’s defense will look to stop Fighting Irish quarterback Jayden Neal, who threw for 2,973 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
FSU High at Thomas County Central (GA): The Seminoles lose a few key starters from the 2023 season and now face one of Georgia’s best teams from last year in Thomas County Central, the AAAAAA state champions of 2023. The Yellow Jackets ran the table at 15-0, capping the season with a 49-28 win over Woodward Academy and a state crown. Though Trey Benton graduates for Thomas County, FSU High’s defense will be tested by quarterback Jaylen Johnson. Jayden Threats looks to be the standout for the Seminoles’ in ‘24.
Lincoln at Ware County (GA): The arrow continues to point up for the Trojans as they head into the spring and summer after winning nine games in 2023. Lincoln is no stranger to playing in Georgia as they faced Colquitt County last year, falling 56-16. They go up against the 2022 AAAAA state champion Gators, who went 8-4 last year.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
