Florida high school football Week 2: What are the top games to watch?

In a state as big and with as many talented high school football teams talented as Florida has, few weeks have one game that stands out head and shoulders above the others.

This week is an exception.

A resurgent Miami Northwestern, led by first-year coach Teddy Bridgewater , travels to Venice at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Venice (1-0, No. 1 Class 7A) is No. 8 on the USA Today Florida Network Super 25; Northwestern (1-0, No. 2 Class 3A) is No. 15.

Not only is this a premier matchup of two perennial powers but it’s a measuring stick game for Northwestern to see exactly it is so early this season.

The Bulls struggled through a rare down year in 2023, going 4-6 and narrowly missing out on a playoff spot. After the coaching change to Bridgewater, who took the job shortly after retiring as an NFL quarterback in February, Northwestern has dominated playoff teams Miami Palmetto and Coconut Creek in August.

Venice, which has played in the state championship game in three consecutive seasons, opened the regular season with an impressive win against Tampa Bay Tech.

Here are some of the other top games to watch in Week 2

Stream Florida high school football games live on NFHS Network

IMG Academy (0-1, No. 2 USA Today Florida Network Super 25) at Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

The Ascenders are back on the road after a stunning 35-34 loss at Corner Canyon (Utah) in Week 1. The loss snapped IMG’s 18-game win streak. Quarterback Ty Hawkins (SMU commit) threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one in the loss. Nationally ranked Bergen Catholic went 11-1 and claimed its third consecutive state championship in 2023.

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Maryland) at Columbus (1-0, No. 2 Class 7A)

A matchup of defending champions. Good Counsel won its final 10 games in 2023 and claimed the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital Division championship. Columbus, which is aiming for a third consecutive state title, trailed Miami Southridge 14-7 before rallying to win 17-14 in its season opener.

Pace (1-0, No. 7 Class 6A) at Pensacola Catholic (1-0, No. 3 Class 2A)

Both team’s quarterbacks are coming off big games in the season opener. Pace ’s Ben Tyner rushed for 133 yards and a score and threw for 45 yards as the Patriots knocked off Mary G. Montgomery (Alabama), 17-14. Pensacola Catholic ’s quarterback Ryan Huff (Old Dominion commit) completed 14 of 21 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-0 win against Navarre.

Watch Pace at Pensacola Catholic

Cocoa (1-0, No. 1 Class 2A) at Mainland (0-1, No. 9 Class 5A)

Two teams that won Suburban state championships in 2023 face off on Friday. Cocoa used to a 21-point third quarter to pull away and beat Titusville 42-10 in the season opener. Mainland was stunned by University (Orange City) 31-28 in the opener. The Bucs held a 21-10 lead in the third quarter but couldn’t hold off University’s comeback.

The First Academy (1-0, No. 4 Class 1A) at Edgewater (No. 3 Class 5A)

First Academy quarterback Salomon Georges threw for 171 yards and rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s road win against Lipscomb Academy (Tennessee) in the opener. Edgewater did not play last week but beat NFL Academy 51-45 in a Kickoff Classic in England. Quarterback Carter Emanuel threw three touchdown passes and ran for one and running back Joshua Perry rushed for three scores.

Watch The First Academy vs. Edgewater

Booker (1-0, No. 6 Class 2A) at Berkeley Prep (0-1, No. 4 Class 2A)

Booker , a Class 2S state semifinalist in 2023, travels to Tampa to take on a Berkeley Prep squad that won the Class 2M state title last fall. Booker quarterbacks Joel Morris and Ryan Downes each threw three touchdown passes in a 46-0 win against Lely. Berkeley Prep running back Joseph Troupe (Boston College commit) rushed for 112 yards and a score in the Bucs 28-14 loss at Clearwater Central Catholic.

Osceola (1-0, No. 9 Class 6A) at Lake Mary (1-0, No. 3 Class 7A)

Two of the top teams in Central Florida meet in Lake Mary. Osceola rushed for 272 yards and averaged seven yards per carry in its 21-7 win against Treasure Coast in the season opener. Lake Mary quarterback Noah Grubbs (Notre Dame commit) threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 49-20 win at Cardinal Gibbons.

Escambia (1-0, No. 10 Class 4A) at Niceville (1-0, No. 4 Class 5A)

Escambia used a strong second half to dominate West Florida 45-12. Gators four-star safety Ladarian Clardy (No. 19 USA Today Florida Network top 100) caught a touchdown and also forced a fumble in the win. Niceville running back Connor Mathews rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 35-28 against South Sumter.

Newberry (1-0, No. 10 Class 2A) at Hawthorne (1-0, No. 1 Rural class)

Newberry scored two touchdowns in three different quarters to beat University Christian 44-27 in the season opener, a win that vaulted the Panthers into the top 10. Hawthorne dominated Anclote 51-0 in the season opener and come into Week 2 riding a 27-game win streak.

Other top games in Week 2

West Boca Raton at Palm Beach Central (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.)

Miami Palmetto at Booker T. Washington (Thursday, 7 p.m.)

Bishop Moore at Tottenville (N.Y.) (Thursday, 7 p.m.)

Jesuit at Benjamin (Friday, 6:30 p.m.)

Osceola at Lake Mary (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Western at American Heritage (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Heritage at Seminole (Sanford) (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Chaminade-Madonna at Ely (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Buchholz at Vero Beach (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Nease at Creekside (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Bolles at Trinity Christian (Friday, 7 p.m.)

First Baptist Academy (Naples) at Calvary Christian (Clearwater) (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Cardinal Newman at Carrollwood Day (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Bishop Verot at Tampa Catholic (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Eau Gallie at Rockledge (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Gaither at Plant (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

West Broward at Camden County (Ga.) (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

Wharton at Tampa Bay Tech (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

South Dade at Homestead (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

Dunnellon at Bradford (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

Sebring at Clearwater Central Catholic (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)

Edison at Central (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida high school football Week 2: What are the top games to watch?