Lakeland lands the first punch as Florida's Open Division begins

Florida's new Open Division did not need a warm-up week.

Lakeland (FL) beat St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) in overtime. West Boca Raton (FL) took control after an early deficit. Chaminade-Madonna (FL) shut out Venice (FL), and Columbus (FL) handled Miami Central (FL). One night into pool play, the eight-team field already has a different feel.

Lakeland finishes the job in overtime

The Dreadnaughts beat Aquinas 27–24 after Kelin Hendrix connected with Joseph Howard Jr. for the decisive touchdown. Hendrix also ran for two scores. Lakeland had to answer after Aquinas tied the game with 37 seconds left in regulation, then took the overtime lead on a field goal.

The win gives Lakeland a strong start in Pool A and turns next week's trip to Chaminade-Madonna into a meeting of opening-night winners. Aquinas heads to Venice, where both teams will be looking to avoid a second pool loss.

West Boca takes control against Raines

Raines struck first, but West Boca scored the next 28 points in a 28–7 win.

Trey Moran threw touchdown passes to Terriel Harmon and Billy Clancy III as the Bulls moved ahead 14–7. Harmon and Quinton Miller Jr. supplied second-half scores while West Boca's defense kept Raines from getting back into the game.

For T25PS, this was also a meeting of two highly ranked public-school programs: #11 West Boca against #16 Raines. The Bulls did not just win a close matchup. They built a three-touchdown separation.

Venice cannot cash in