High school football is back. Brevard County teams open the 2026 season on Aug. 13 with an SSAA matchup of Space Coast at Satellite and Merritt Island Christian traveling to Orlando Christian Prep.
The other three SSAA teams, Bayside, Calvary Chapel and Cocoa Beach, open their seasons Aug. 14. All FHSAA teams will compete in their respective Kickoff Classics as a final tune-up before the regular season kicks off.
Here’s a breakdown of all the games taking place on Aug. 13-14.
SSAA Week 1
Aug. 13
Merritt Island Christian at Orlando Christian Prep, 6 p.m.
Merritt Island Christian play its first game under new head coach Josh Babin at Orlando Christian Prep, who makes its 8-man debut.
The Cougars went 11-2 last season and reached the semifinals of the SSAA state playoffs, losing to eventual state champion Real Life Christian Academy.
They're seeking to replace a large senior class, but they do return senior John Hey who scored a team-high 10 receiving touchdowns to go with 597 receiving yards. On defense, Merritt Island Christian is looking to replace its top six tacklers but it does return senior Maddux Martinson who tied for the team-lead with 4 interceptions.
Orlando Christian Prep qualified for the FHSAA state playoffs for the last eight years, but after a mass transfer exodus this summer it moved down to 8-man.
Space Coast at Satellite,7 p.m.
Both Space Coast and Satellite are challenging themselves right out of the gates after both teams advanced deep in the SSAA Atlantic state playoffs.
The Vipers, who won a 2024 SSAA state title, reached the semifinals and the Scorpions, who posted a 9-win turnaround with a 10-2 mark, reached the quarterfinals as both teams fell victim to the eventual state champions American Heritage (Delray Beach).
In the first meeting between the two schools since 2022, it’ll be the Scorpions looking to limit the Vipers’ high-powered offense led by junior quarterback Zion Sandy. The dual-threat quarterback totaled nearly 3,000 yards to go and 37 touchdowns last year.
Satellite features a strong offense in senior quarterback Brody Grennan. Last year, Grennan threw for 1,225 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The turnover battle might be the determining factor in the game. Last year, Space Coast’s defense created 30 turnovers led by senior Kadyn Thomas’ 5 interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Satellite finished with a plus-seven turnover differential led by senior Noah Corriveau’s 3 interceptions.
Aug. 14
Crescent City at Bayside,7 p.m.
Bayside looks to build on last year’s playoff appearance and open the season with a win against SSAA debutant Crescent City.
The Bears are coming off a 3-8 season and a defeat to American Heritage (Delray Beach) in the first round of the SSAA Atlantic state playoffs. Crescent City posted a 4-6 record in FHSAA Class 1A last season.
Bayside is hoping to jumpstart its offense in the season opener after averaging 10.4 points per game a year ago. Crescent City posted 17.6 points per game on offense.
Cornerstone Academy at Calvary Chapel, 7 p.m.
Calvary Chapel kicks off the new season against Cornerstone Academy after reaching the SSAA 8-man 1A state quarterfinals.
The Eagles went 3-7 last year. They were offensively by sophomore quarterback Chace Evans, who threw for 632 yards and 7 touchdowns, and senior tailback Gavin Stewart, who rushed for 719 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Defensively, sophomore Micah Lee led the team with 21 passes defensed to go with 21 tackles and 1 interception. Senior Caleb Dillard recorded 70 tackles last season.
Cornerstone Academy finished 0-8 last season and was outscored 368-12.
Bronson at Cocoa Beach, 7 p.m.
Cocoa Beach kicks off the fall season at home against Bronson looking to return to postseason play for the first time since 2023.
The Minutemen are coming off a 2-8 season and enter the new season with new changes to their offensive and defensive systems to spark more success.
Senior Ryan Rogers takes over at quarterback after leading the team in rushing last season. Defensively, senior Charlie Grissom leads the unit after 71 tackles last season.
Bronson is coming off a winless season in which it was outscored 453-66. The Eagles were shut out in six of their 11 games.
Cocoa Beach seeks to win its season opener for the first time in a decade.
FHSAA Kickoff Classics
Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 6 p.m.
The Terriers host Cardinal Gibbons in a matchup featuring playoff teams from last season.
Titusville will get a first look at its new offense led by transfer quarterback Remy Vigne and a deep wide receiving group led by senior Tank Harvey.
Cardinal Gibbons reached the Class 2A state semifinals last season after winning the Region 4 title. Both teams will compete in Class 3A this season.
Astronaut at East River, 7 p.m.
Astronaut opens the fall against Class 6A East River. The War Eagles finished last season 5-5, just missing out on a playoff spot in Class 2A. They’re making the jump up to 3A this season.
East River posted a 4-6 record as an independent last season. It leaned on its running game last season, rushing 1,408 yards as a team.
Astronaut will look to match East River’s rushing attack behind an experienced offensive line that includes FIU commit Adarian Dotson.
Cocoa at Melbourne, 7 p.m.
In one of the most fascinating Kickoff Classic games on the docket, Cocoa heads to Melbourne featuring two teams expecting playoff success.
Cocoa, winners of 19 straight region titles, enter a new era under head coach Nate Hooks. It’ll be a first look at the young team headlined by a couple of seniors in wide receiver Tank White and linebacker Kyree Brooks.
Melbourne returns an explosive offense led by quarterback CJ Hall, running back Tyrese Jefferson and wide receiver EJ Hall. The Bulldogs with see their new-look defense in action for the first time.
Jensen Beach at Eau Gallie, 7 p.m.
One of the state title favorites, Eau Gallie takes the field for the first time against Jensen Beach.
The Commodores feature the most talent in the county led by senior quarterback Joseph Allen, junior linebacker Gabriel Player, sophomore running back X'Zavier Corbin and sophomore defensive back Captain Rolle.
Jensen Beach will play in Class 4A this season after an 8-3 season and an appearance in the state playoffs.
Rockledge at Heritage, 7 p.m.
After both reaching the state playoffs last season, Rockledge and Heritage kick off as they look to replace production that graduated or transferred out.
Rockledge competes in Class 3A this season after a 3-8 campaign in 4A last season. The new-look Raiders will gain experience with new players fitting into new roles.
Heritage finished 4-7 and qualified for the Class 4A state playoffs as the district runner-up. The Panthers will look test out a more productive offense to go with its stingy defense.
Melbourne Central Catholic at Holy Trinity, 7 p.m.
Melbourne Central Catholic and Holy Trinity square off for the first time in 2 years.
The Hustlers begin a new era under head coach Ryan Schneider. Last year, they went 3-8 and reached the Class 1A regional semifinals. They’ll look to take the next step with an experienced core.
Holy Trinity returns to FHSAA play after competing in the SSAA last season. The Tigers went 7-3 last year and lost in the first round of the state playoffs to Westminster Academy. They’ll compete in the inaugural Independent Class this season with a stout defense and a new offense.
Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7 p.m.
Merritt Island eagerly takes the field for the first time with high aspirations following a large returning core and an infusion of several transfers.
The Mustangs reached the regional semifinals after a 7-5 season. They return senior quarterback Kevin Verpaele, senior tight end DeShaun Thomas and senior linebacker Jonas Walters.
Cypress Bay went 5-5 last season and finished third in its district. It’ll compete in Class 6A this season.
Palm Bay at Poinciana, 7 p.m.
Palm Bay looks to take another step towards playoff contention this fall after a 2-8 campaign in 2025.
The Pirates return junior quarterback Mik Zades, who saw his season cut short due to injury.
Poinciana went 3-7 last season as an independent. It’ll compete in Class 6A this season.
Viera at South Lake, 7 p.m.
Viera, after reaching the regional semifinals last year, return with an experienced roster looking to advance further in the state playoffs.
The Hawks are led offensively by senior running back Duke Butler, who became the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher last season. Defensively, senior Dillon Price recorded 72 tackles and senior Daniel Jolly intercepted 4 passes.
South Lake went 10-2 last season and reached the regional final. Both teams were eliminated by Armwood in the state playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard football returns with SSAA Week 1, FHSAA Kickoff Classics