2026 MLB Draft Lottery

     The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft Lottery was held in Orlando on Tuesday. The Miami Marlins had the 14th best chance to get the first overall selection at 11.5%. They ended with the 14th overall pick. 

     The top selection for the 2026 MLB Draft went to the Chicago White Sox. The last time the White Sox had the first overall pick was in 1977 when they selected future Baseball Hall of Fame player Harold Baines. 

Vero Beach & Lake Mary Title Preview

     The Vero Beach Indians take on the Lake Mary Rams for the FHSAA Class 7A state championship on Saturday night. It is the final contest of the 2025 FHSAA Football Finals to be played this week at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus in Miami. 

     Vero Beach(14-0) will be going for the second state title and their first state championship since 1981. They have outscored their opponents 601-196 this season and won 14 consecutive games. The Indians pummeled East Ridge 57-10 in the regional quarterfinal, shelled Lake Nona 56-14 in the regional semifinal, outbattled Dr. Phillips 49-23 in the regional final and edge Miami Palmetto 45-44 in double overtime in the state semifinal. 

     Quarterbacks E.J. White and Champ Monds will be in charge of their offense with their running and passing. They have a bunch of wide receivers to throw the ball to with Latravious Woods, Xavier Stinson, Jarvis Jacobs, Marcus Melbourne, Austin Banzhaf, Jordan Crutchfield and White. The rushing attack consists of running backs Jonathan Hillsman, Chaise Dagbolen and Treveon Townsend. 

     Lake Mary(11-3) reached the state championship game last year. They have won six straight games and outscored their opponents 457-345 this year. The Rams knocked off Hagerty 42-14 in a regional quarterfinal, dropped Spruce Creek 50-20 in a regional semifinal, survived DeLand 40-31 in a regional final and dethroned the defending FHSAA Class 7A champs Venice 31-26 in a state semifinal. 

     They have quarterback Noah Grubbs to lead them down the field. He can connect passes to wide receivers Barrett Schulz, Terrance Dixon, Malakii Haliburton, Donovan Little and Anthony Totin. Running backs Oshea Faison, Gavin Isaacs, Tavarius Brundidge Jr. and Zahir John will be depended on for rushing attempts. 

American Heritage & Jones Title Preview

     The American Heritage Patriots will face the Jones Tigers in the FHSAA Class 4A state championship game on Saturday on South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus. The Patriots are the reigning FHSAA Class 4A state champions. 

     American Heritage(8-5) looks to capture their seventh state title. They have won four straight games and outscored their opponents 370-278 this year. The Patriots downed John Carroll Catholic 50-20 in a regional quarterfinal, stopped Plantation 48-7 in a regional semifinal, outdueled Archbishop McCarthy 25-20 in a regional final and topped Choctawhatchee 31-14 in a state semifinal.

     They can go with Leon Strawder or Dia Bell in the quarterback position. Rushing attempts will be made by running backs Jonathan Bueno Jr., Tremaine Mullen, Dylan Bennett and Marcus Smith. Wide receivers Jamar Denson, Jeffar Jean-Noel, Michael Stringer and Brandon Bennett will make catches down the field. 

     Jones(12-2) have won 10 consecutive games and outscored their opponents 482-151 this season. The Tigers defeated Deltona 35-13 in the regional quarterfinal, outmuscled Vanguard 29-18 in the regional semifinal, moved by Lake Wales 24-10 in the regional final and got by Port Charlotte 35-23 in the state semifinal. 

     Dual quarterback Dereon Coleman will connect passes to wide receivers Larry Miles, Daionte Hicks, Kameron Lee and Cameron Tooley. Expect running back Daunte Wallace to get the bulk of the carries from the backfield followed by Elijah McCluster and Coleman. 

Miami Northwestern & Raines Title Preview

     The Miami Northwestern Bulls challenge the Raines Vikings in the FHSAA Class 3A state championship on South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus on Friday night. It is state championship rematch from last year between both high schools. 

     Miami Northwestern(13-0) is the only Dade County representative this week in the FHSAA Football Finals held in Miami. The West is the reigning FHSAA Class 3A state champions and will look to capture their ninth state title. They have a 23-game winning streak and outscored their opponents 535-127 this season. The Bulls pounded Somerset Academy 70-0 in the regional quarterfinal, routed Key West 56-6 in the regional semifinal, defeated Miami Central 50-29 in the regional final and handled Bishop Moore 52-21 in the state semifinal. 

     They have a balanced attack on offense. Quarterback Neiman Lawrence will pass the ball downfield to wide receivers Calvin Russell Jr., Nicholas Lennear, Nicsaint Joseph Jr., Marcus Dumont and Kenyan Thompkins. Running backs Irwin James, Tarvail Mathis, Marquez Fleming and Ryan Mathis will get their share of the rushing attempts.

     Raines(13-0) have won 13 consecutive contests since they lost in the state title game last season. They look to capture their first state title since 2018 and their fourth state championship in school history. The Vikings breezed by Baker County 43-6 in a regional quarterfinal, stomped West Florida 54-0 in a regional semifinal, outhustled Bishop Kenny 61-15 in a regional final and defeated Booker 28-8 in a state semifinal. 

     Quarterback Timothy Cole II has numerous players to throw the ball to that includes wide receivers Ziyon Butler, Ethan Sherman, Kelvin Brown Jr., Kiran Jackson, Zion Green and Devin Frazier. Their rushing attack consists of running backs Ta'darius Washington and Tisean Haynes. 

West Boca Raton & West Broward Title Preview

     Two South Florida high schools will play for the FHSAA Class 6A state title as the West Boca Raton Bulls take on the West Broward Bobcats on Friday. It will be held locally in Miami on the Florida International University campus on South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium. 

     West Boca Raton(12-2) are the defending FHSAA Class 6A state champions and look to capture back-to-back state titles. They have outscored their opponents 506-104 this year and won their past six games. The Bulls canned Largo 35-7 in a regional quarterfinal, downed East Lake 48-7 in a regional semifinal, pounded Mitchell 41-3 in a regional final and edged Armwood 14-13 in a state semifinal. 

     They will have quarterback Trey Moran to guide them down the field on offense. Running back Javian Mallory leads their attack on the ground along with Quinton Miller Jr., Anderson Gracilien, Omari McNeal and Jayden Lockhart. Moran will occasionally connect a pass to wide receivers Billy Clancy III, Zacharias Walls, Calerbe Hermane, Tayegan Briskey and tight end Molique Joseph. 

     West Broward(12-2) will attempt to capture their first state football title in school history. After two losses against out-of-state teams to begin the season, they have won their last 12 contests and outscored their opponents 519-206 this season. The Bobcats slammed South Plantation 56-13 in the regional quarterfinal, defeated Monarch 38-12 in the regional semifinal, got by Southridge 30-27 in the regional final and upended Buchholz 24-17 in the state semifinal. 

     Quarterback Brandon Mincy can ran and pass the ball on offensive plays. He can toss the ball to wide receivers A'Mir Sears, C.J. Mitchell, Kedarius Rhaney, Anthony Laguerre and Ratavion McReed. Running backs Daquon Adderley, Amos Bradford, Izaiah Lopez and Zacari Isaac look to gain yardage. 

St. Thomas Aquinas & Lakeland Title Preview

     The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders challenge the Lakeland Dreadnaughts in the FHSAA Class 5A state championship game in South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus in Miami on Thursday night. It is rematch from last year between both powerhouse football programs in which St. Thomas Aquinas won 34-0. 

     Both high schools had previously met each other six times in the FHSAA Football Finals. The Dreadnaughts won three straight state titles from 2004 to 2006 along with 2018. The Raiders won in 2008 and 2024.

     St. Thomas Aquinas(13-1) have captured a state-record 16 state championships. STA is currently riding a state-record streak of six consecutive state titles. The Raiders have won a state-record 34 straight postseason games and have compiled 13 state crowns in the past 18 seasons. They have reached the championship game 18 times in the last 22 seasons. 

     The Raiders have won 13 straight contests since they lost their season-opening game to Mater Dei. They have outscored their opponents 576-183 this season. STA dominated Heritage 58-7 in the regional quarterfinal, dropped Coconut Creek 45-13 in the regional semifinal, defeated McArthur 34-7 in the regional final and outpowered Riverdale 45-13 in the state semifinal. 

     They will rely on both their offense and defense. Quarterback Mason Mallory, who won a FHSAA Class 6A state title with West Boca Raton last year, can fire the ball to wide receivers Julius Jones, Jordan Roache, Leroy Thomas, Justice Fitzpatrick, Finn Crissy and Sho Wright down the field. Running backs Virgil Lemons, Isaiah Calixte, Jaden Desir, Morris Choice and Kayin Liddie will have their rushing opportunities. Brady Palmer and Cody Conness are their backup quarterback if needed. 

     Lakeland(12-2) have been victorious in their past four games and outscored their opponents 464-142 this year. They blanked Wesley Chapel 35-0 in a regional quarterfinal, squeezed by Gaither 15-8 in a regional semifinal, pushed by Edgewater 27-14 in a regional final and beat Ponte Vedra 40-13 in a state semifinal. 

     Quarterback Kelin Hendrix will led their offense with completions to wide receivers Cameron Fuse, Jerry Thomas, Joseph Howard and tight end Jasper Hebel. They will depend on running backs Ahnarri Cooper, Ja'Darius Dobie, Kevin Hendrix, Stewart Butler and Malik Morris in the backfield. 

Chaminade-Madonna & Cardinal Newman Title Preview

     The Chaminade-Madonna Lions face the Cardinal Newman Crusaders in the FHSAA Class 1A state championship on Thursday in South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus. It is one of two FHSAA Football Finals between two teams based in South Florida.

     Chaminade-Madonna(11-2) reached the championship game for the 10th consecutive season and will be looking to win their fifth straight state crown. The Lions have captured seven state championships in the last eight seasons and nine state titles overall. 

     The Lions have won four straight contests and outscored their opponents 517-152 this season. They walloped St. John Paul II 63-0 in the regional quarterfinal, powered by Miami Edison 47-18 in the regional semifinal, knocked off True North Academy 35-14 in the regional final and blanked Trinity Christian Academy 35-0 in the state semifinal. 

     They have numerous weapons on both sides of the ball. Running back Derrek Cooper leads the team on offense and will be their focal point. Arwin Jackson, Lee Prince Jr., Elijah Hardy and Nakia Lambright will also get their carries. Wide receivers Jasen Lopez, Denairius Gray, Tromon Isaac Jr., Ahmari Stevens, Peter Pierre and Cooper are expected to catch the ball from quarterback Malik Leonard. 

     Cardinal Newman(11-3) will be playing for their first state championship title. Crusaders head coach Jack Daniels is back in the state finals for the first time in 12 years. He led the Dwyer Panthers to two state championships in 2009 and 2013 as their head coach. 

     The Crusaders have prevailed in the past four games and outscored their opponents 484-217 this year. They shut out Benjamin 37-0 in the regional quarterfinal, handled Community School of Naples 45-14 in the regional semifinal, beat St. Petersburg Catholic 42-13 in the regional final and downed Carrollwood Day 48-33 in the state semifinal. 

     They will look toward their offense to get the victory. Quarterback Jyron Hughley can throw the ball to wide receivers Leslie Mosley, Ethan Holland, Logan Stepp and tight end Adam Bologoun-Ali. Their rushing attack consists of running backs Phoenix Donghia, Janarro Sumpter and Luke Dillon along with Hughley out of the option.