Florida High School Football Opening Night: 5 Games That Stood Out

Chaminade-Madonna rolls, Columbus dominates its Miami rivalry and West Orange stuns Ohio power Archbishop Hoban with a late comeback.

West Orange quarterback AJ Chung threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winner with less than 2 minutes left, to lead the Warriors to a 28-24 comeback victory against Archbishop Hoban (Ohio). | AJ Chung

The 2026 Florida high school football season got underway Thursday night with statement wins, prolific quarterback performances and a pair of impressive victories over out-of-state opponents.

Here are five season openers that stood out Thursday night:

West Orange 28, Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) 24

The Warriors won this wild back-and-forth interstate battle that came down to the final seconds. Hoban drove deep into West Orange territory with time running out, but West Orange's Deandre Meredith intercepted a pass to preserve the victory.

AJ Chung passed for more than 300 yards and three TDs, including the game-winning toss to Yuto Kawamura-Johnson with less than 2 minutes left. Jayden Ammons scored twice to for West Orange.

“I am just so proud of our team,” Chung said. “The fight through adversity and the grit to get it done. I trust my teammates and coaches so much that we just believed!

“We played a really good opponent and got it done. We scored when it mattered and the defense got stops when it mattered. It is a great way to set the tone for the season. We just need to keep building on that.”

Chaminade-Madonna 49, Monarch 21

The Lions, ranked No. 19 nationally by High School On SI, received an impressive debut from transfer quarterback Brady Quinn, who passed for more than 350 yards and five touchdowns in a weather-shortened game.

Quinn transferred from Lely after emerging as one of Florida's top young quarterbacks.

Jeremiah Milcent passed for more than 300 yards and three TDs for Monarch.

Columbus 45, Southridge 7

Kai Moore accounted for three touchdowns as Columbus rolled to a 45-7 victory in the Miami rivalry. The teams played close games in each of the past two seasons, but Columbus turned this year's meeting into a rout.

Dillard 44, Piper 21

One of Broward County’s most dominant teams rolled past Piper, thanks to multiple TDs from Anthony Jenkins.

Seminole 26, Mountain Vista (Colo.) 17

The Seminole opened the 2026 season with an impressive victory over Colorado Class 5A runner-up Mountain Vista.

Tyree Howard scored two TDs, and Daniel Proenza and Jamarion Coleman each scored once for Seminole. Defensively, the Noles forced three turnovers.

“It feels good,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun said. “Guys played well in all three phases, and we beat a really good football team. Happy for our guys.”

Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962