Florida's 2021 high school football season kicks off for the majority of teams Aug. 27 with most playing in kickoff classics that don't count toward either team's official record. IMG Academy, the defending MaxPreps National Champions, begins its title defense Aug. 29 against Ohio's Bishop Sycamore at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Pepper Johnson takes over as head coach after spending last season as the defensive coordinator. He's a five-time Super Bowl champion as a player and coach and will have the Ascenders in position to repeat as MaxPreps National Champions. IMG Academy is one of four teams from Florida to begin the year ranked in the
MaxPreps Top 25.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) checks in at No. 6 and returns the talent to win its third consecutive 7A state title. Four-star running back
Anthony Hankerson, starting quarterback
Zion Turner, recent LSU commit
Mason Taylor are all back while all-state offensive tackle
Julian Armella and linebacker
David Vadala both transferred over during the spring.
American Heritage (Plantation) is loaded again and begin the year ranked at No. 8. Patrick Surtain led them to a 5A state championship in 2020 and added five-star wide receiver
Brandon Inniss to an already talented roster.
Miami Central won its second consecutive 6A state title last season and begin the year ranked at No. 15. They are going to get tested early with a trip out to California to face No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Aug. 20 and take on No. 12 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) on Sept. 4.
Kaytron Allen, IMG Academy
File photo by Annette Wilkerson
