As the Florida high school football season is rapidly approaching and storylines begin to develop it is time that we look at which matchups for Bay County teams will have people talking and itching to attend this upcoming season.
Week 1: Bozeman vs. Holmes County (Aug. 23)
When these two meet it is always an entertaining show. Last season, they met in the FHSAA state quarterfinals and it took a 28-point second-half resurgence for the Bucks to advance in a 28-14 victory.
This year, the Bucks have reloaded with a new head coach in Bronson Sweatt and new faces across the squad. Holmes County lost most of its offensive production to graduation but, under coach Kevin Womble, always seems to produce a competitive team.
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Week 2: Rutherford vs. Blountstown (Aug. 29)
Rutherford is finding a way to close out games and compete at a high level in the county, while Blountstown is trying to navigate the post-Greg Jordan era with new coach Brad Waggoner.
Last season the Tigers narrowly defeated the Rams 17-13 in a game that featured 72 rushing attempts and will set up yet another physical matchup.
Week 3: Arnold at Bozeman (Sept. 6)
All eyes should be on this game, as former Bucks coach Jason Griffin marches into Bozeman Stadium, this time as an opposing head coach. Griffin led Bozeman to its most successful season, going 12-1 and reaching the FHSAA Final Four.
Griffin will try to implement his air raid offense to a Marlins team that has not won a game since November 2022, while the Bucks are headed by former Harris County assistant coach Bronson Sweatt, who promises a physical running brand of football.
Week 4: Mosley vs. Navarre (Sept. 12)
Two of Florida's powerhouses meet for what will be yet another tightly contested battle. Last year the Dolphins lost 35-31 but have the luxury of returning the most veteran roster in the county.
It was a quarterback battle, with Dolphins quarterback Sammy Freitas throwing for 220 yards and rushing for 98 yards while Raiders quarterback Hunter Phester threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
Phester is graduated and questions whether Navarre can keep up with the Dolphins electric offense.
Week 5: Bay at Madison County (Sept. 20)
The Tornadoes will face their toughest test in Madison County, which finished 10-2 and fell in the FHSAA 1R state title game. Bay High's defense will have its hands full with a Cowboys team that loves to run the football, totaling 42 rushing touchdowns a year ago.
Bay High has weapons such as 6-foot-7 tight end Javar Bowden and running back Caleb Toombs to keep the Madison County offense off the field.
Week 6: Arnold at Choctawhatchee (Sept. 27)
Choctawhatchee was one of the most complete teams last year, averaging 36 points per game and finishing the season 10-3. However, every key piece of the offensive output has graduated, leaving many question marks on what kind of Indians team we will see.
Arnold, now operating under Griffin's new air raid system, might pull off an upset as they seek their first win against Choctawhatchee, who lead the all-time series 5-0.
Week 7: Rutherford at Port St. Joe (Oct. 4)
Last season's 16-14 loss to Port St. Joe saw the Rams give up over 300 yards on defense. Both teams are run-heavy and will likely make this another run-heavy matchup that very well may come down to whoever has the ball last.
Week 8: Mosley vs. Niceville (Oct. 11)
Last season's district title game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Dolphins pulling off the upset 29-28 victory. Both starting quarterbacks from that game are back to duel once again, as well as Eagles running back Uriah West, who rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 9: Mosley vs. Arnold (Oct. 18)
This rivalry has the makings of being a high-scoring game with two offenses that love to throw the ball. Yet it very well may be the team that establishes a resemblance of a running game that comes out with a victory.
Week 10: Bay at Rutherford (Oct. 25)
The oldest and most bitter rivalry in the county meets once again for what will be an entertaining game. Bay has the advantage, defeating the Rams twice in the past three seasons, including last year's 18-15 victory.
Week 11: Mosley at Florida State University High (Nov. 1)
Two of Florida's most high-powered offenses clash in the final week of the season and will be a formidable test for both squads. Florida High is coming off a 10-3 season and will look toward junior Cannon Cowhey to lead the charge.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1 .
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Week-by-Week: The most exciting matchups for Bay County high school football in 2024
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