How to watch: No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas battles No. 6 Columbus on NFHS Network

A'mir Sears and Columbus will try to take down the nation's top-ranked team for the second week in a row.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams
By
Sep 1, 2026, 1:00pm
The NFHS Network will showcase high school football's No. 1-ranked team St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) as it battles No. 6 Columbus (Miami) on Friday in a showdown between Florida powers.

Columbus took down then-No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 33-28 on Saturday behind five-star Miami commit A'mir Sears, who had two receiving touchdowns and three interceptions in the upset victory.

St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0) handled business later in the day, beating DeSoto (Texas) 38-14 after running out to a 38-0 lead. The Raiders, winners of seven straight state championships, saw Notre Dame commit Julius Jones Jr. broke the program record for career receiving yards in the win, upping his total to 1,897.

How to watch
Date/location: Friday, Sept. 4
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Streaming: NFHS Network
A'mir Sears garnered more than 45 FBS offers before committing to Miami in July. He was regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2028 before reclassing over the summer and becoming a senior. (PHOTO: Jeff Klein)
A'mir Sears garnered more than 45 FBS offers before committing to Miami in July. He was regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2028 before reclassing over the summer and becoming a senior. (PHOTO: Jeff Klein)
Friday's game could be the first round in a battle that resumes later this fall after the FHSAA approved a plan for an Open Division state championship. The top eight teams, based on MaxPreps rankings, will qualify for the winner-take-all competition. Teams will be split into pools and two will emerge from each for a four-team, single-elimination tournament.

Players to watch

St. Thomas Aquinas: WR Julius Jones Jr. (5-10, 180), DB Jaden Carey (6-0, 170), RB Collin Francis (5-9, 175), QB Blake Calixte (6-2, 175)

Columbus: WR A'mir Sears (6-2, 175), QB Kai Moore (6-1, 200), WR Tony Brown III (5-10, 175), RB Cecil Smith (5-8, 170)

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