TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – One of the season’s most anticipated annual showdowns returns to the capital city as the undefeated Florida High Seminoles host the 3-1 Madison County Cowboys for the Week 5 Game of the Week.
The rivalry shifts back to Tallahassee in 2026, carrying decades of tradition, mutual respect, and high stakes between two premier North Florida programs.
No matter the momentum or recent history, both sidelines know records get thrown out the window when these two programs collide.
“Even when Madison dominated it, [Jarrod Hickman] continued to play it. Even when [Florida High] dominated it, we’re going to continue to play it,” Cowboys head coach Price Harris said. “So regardless of it, it’s going to be a great, great matchup every year.”
Heading into Friday night, Florida High feels confident in the balanced identity it has forged through the first month of the season—even while striving for four quarters of consistency.
“I like my group very much,” Florida High head coach Hickman said. “Special teams, we’ve made plays all year long. Our defense has been really good, and offensively, we’ve been explosive. I think consistency is what we’re looking for.”
The Seminoles know they face a disciplined, physical challenge led by Madison County’s Harris.
“Price Harris and I are good friends—he does a good job,” Hickman said. “He does a lot of things on offense: a lot of formations, really just moves things around, doesn’t let you get comfortable. And then when you look at the football team, they play hard. That’s another way to test ourselves in the middle of the year and find out where we’re at.”
On the other side, Madison County has plenty of reasons to like its chances. The Cowboys rolled to a 20-point victory over Florida High at Boot Hill last season. Despite losing several key starters to graduation, they return half of last year’s quarterback tandem alongside plenty of emerging talent.
The Cowboys’ defense has remained stingy, allowing more than 16 points just once this season—with Harris noting that their lone loss saw the offense surrender the bulk of those points.
Harris welcomes the midseason measuring stick as his young roster matures under the Friday night lights.
“I like that it’s a young group. We graduated a lot last year, and seeing those guys—they’re starting to grow more and more each and every week,” Harris said. “I always love getting these tests, playing really good football teams. Playing really good football teams makes you a better football team.”
Facing an undefeated Florida High squad on the road will take discipline and grit, but Harris’ message to his locker room remains simple.
“They’re loaded. You know, they’ve got guys everywhere. So you’ve just got to go in there and just chop wood,” Harris said. “You know, it’s all about us anyway. It’s never about them.”
Kick off from Mike Hickman stadium is 7 p.m. on Friday.
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