Blockbusters: A look at the top games to watch during the Big Bend preps football season

As the 2024 Big Bend preps football season rapidly approaches, the eyes of the area will soon turn towards the bright lights of Friday nights.

With football filling the fields of the Big Bend throughout the fall, there are plenty of matchups that will catch the attention of fans looking for the best games to watch.

From early-season powerhouse showdowns to rivalry battles, there is no lack of excitement for the coming season.

As we look ahead to Friday night lights, here are our week-by-week picks for the top game to watch this football season.

Week 1: Rickards vs. Godby

A timeless rivalry in the Big Bend, Rickards vs. Godby opens up the 2024 football season with a bang. With both programs looking to have taken a big step up in the offseason, including the Raiders dazzling in the program's spring game showing, the 2024 iteration of one of the area's fiercest games promises to be a can't-miss affair. The Cougars open life under new head coach John Holston with a stern challenge against the veteran Quintin Lewis and Rickards, making this a game to see for fans all over the area.

Week 2: Madison County vs. Lincoln

An early clash between two area powers, Madison County vs. Lincoln in week two has the potential to be one of the best games of the season. The Cowboys are determined to navigate its gauntlet schedule and return to the state championship game, while the Trojans are looking to do something similar in hopes of returning to the state title contest for the first time since 2012. Both teams are led by a talented cohort of players, with Madison County's Jason McDaniel and Lincoln's Christian Sims two standouts of note.

Week 3: Florida High vs. Hawthorne

Only two teams beat Madison County last season, Hawthorne and Florida High, and the two programs who rangled in the Cowboys square off in an electrifying week three matchup in Southwood. The Seminole's retooled roster welcomes the defending 1R state champion Hornets, with the young Florida High looking to earn a statement victory early in the season. With a large senior class graduating last season, some of the workload on offense for the Seminoles could fall to Jayden Threatts, who broke out last year following Micahi Danzy's injury. This is a game to keep your eyes on when week three rolls around.

Week 4: Florida High vs. South Broward

For the second week in a row, Florida High has one of the top games to watch, welcoming South Broward to town in a clash between North Florida and South Florida. The Bulldogs are coming off a 10-2 season and are one of the most competitive teams in the South Florida region. Following its clash with Hawthorne, the Seminoles welcome a second highly competitive foe as head coach Jarrod Hickman looks to test his young roster against some of the top teams in the state.

Week 5: Godby vs. Chiles

In a road game-heavy week, one game in the Big Bend sticks out and that is Godby taking on Chiles. The Cougars will have had over a month of action under Holston by this point. Much like Godby, the Timberwolves will have completed its first month under now-permanent head coach Bill Ragans, who led the program as interim coach last season. With exciting young talent on both sides of the ball, like Tylan Vickers and Jamarin Simmons for Godby and Taylor Jacobs and Trevor Jacobs for Chiles, this game has all the makings of a good one.

Week 6: St. John Paul II vs. North Florida Christian / Wakulla vs. Suwannee

Week six gives us a two-pack of high-profile games to follow as a rematch of last season's 1S Regional final takes place in Southwood and a showdown between Suwannee and Wakulla comes to Crawfordville. Over a month into life with Johnny Nichols, NFC will face JPII in what promises to be an exciting clash between two local standouts. Panthers star Camen Upshaw made his presence felt for JPII in last season's regional final and could be a key player in this year's matchup.

For the War Eagles, life will be different without the star-studded senior class it had last season, but with Owen Kless taking over the quarterback role from his older brother Haden, Wakulla will hope to beat Suwannee for the second straight season in what is always a thrilling matchup between the two programs.

Week 7: Lincoln vs. Gadsden County

A potentially pivotal late-season matchup between two of the top programs in the area, Lincoln welcomes Gadsden County to Trojan Trail for battle. Both programs scheduled tough this season, meaning the pair of teams will be sharpened come gameday as both look to pick up a big win before the postseason. The Jaguars will be led by a slew of talented players, including Kemarrion Battles and Landon Dougherty, facing a strong Trojans defense that is anchored by star linebacker Gavin James.

Week 8: Choctawhatchee vs. Rickards / Raines vs. Madison County

Another two games that catch the eye, this time a Thursday and Friday back-to-back. Rickards welcome one of North Florida's strongest programs in Choctawhatchee to town as the Raiders look to cement the program as what could one of the area's best in 2024. With Jalen Wiggins in his senior season, the star defensive end will be looking to go out with a bang for the Raiders.

Another high-profile matchup during the season for Madison County as it welcomes Jacksonville area power Raines to Boot Hill for what promises to be a barnburner. The Vikings are consistently one of the state's most competitive teams, and a hungry Madison County will look to slow its momentum down. Get your popcorn and jackets ready for this one on Boot Hill, it is likely to be a classic.

Week 9: Madison County vs. Florida High

Another one of the Big Bend's timeless classics, Florida High and Madison County again square off in a thrilling matchup between two of the area's premier teams. At this point in the season, the backdrop of the playoffs will be present as both programs hope to make a deep run in hopes of claiming a state title. The Cowboys suffered defeat at home last season to the Seminoles, and it will be looking to return the favor as the rivalry clash shifts to Southwood this season. Circle your calendars, this will be a good one.

Week 10: Lincoln vs. Eau Gallie

In one of the final games of the Big Bend regular season, Lincoln welcomes Florida power Eau Gallie to Tallahassee for a massive end-of-season clash between two playoff contenders. Ranked in the top 50 of Florida last season, the Commodores will provide the Trojans with a chance to measure itself against a state title hopeful. In what promises to be a thrilling game, Lincoln will look for a massive win before it's regular season finale with Rickards the following week.

Week 11: Wakulla vs. Gadsden Coutny

A rematch of last season's first-round matchup in the 2S playoffs, Gadsden County and Wakulla end the season with a clash that could impact playoff momentum. The two programs are no longer in the same classification, but this game could have playoff implications for both teams depending on how the season plays out for the two. Last season it was a high-scoring affair, ending 46-14 in favor of the War Eagles, but this year could be a more competitive showdown between the two.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here are the best games to watch during the Big Bend football season