TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – One of the season\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The rivalry shifts back to Tallahassee in 2026, carrying decades of tradition, mutual respect, and high stakes between two premier North Florida programs.<\/p>\n
No matter the momentum or recent history, both sidelines know records get thrown out the window when these two programs collide.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when Madison dominated it, [Jarrod Hickman] continued to play it. Even when [Florida High] dominated it, we\u2019re going to continue to play it,\u201d Cowboys head coach Price Harris said. \u201cSo regardless of it, it\u2019s going to be a great, great matchup every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heading into Friday night, Florida High feels confident in the balanced identity it has forged through the first month of the season\u2014even while striving for four quarters of consistency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like my group very much,\u201d Florida High head coach Hickman said. \u201cSpecial teams, we\u2019ve made plays all year long. Our defense has been really good, and offensively, we\u2019ve been explosive. I think consistency is what we\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Seminoles know they face a disciplined, physical challenge led by Madison County\u2019s Harris.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrice Harris and I are good friends\u2014he does a good job,\u201d Hickman said. \u201cHe does a lot of things on offense: a lot of formations, really just moves things around, doesn\u2019t let you get comfortable. And then when you look at the football team, they play hard. That\u2019s another way to test ourselves in the middle of the year and find out where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s quarterback tandem alongside plenty of emerging talent.<\/p>\n
The Cowboys\u2019 defense has remained stingy, allowing more than 16 points just once this season\u2014with Harris noting that their lone loss saw the offense surrender the bulk of those points.<\/p>\n
Harris welcomes the midseason measuring stick as his young roster matures under the Friday night lights.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that it\u2019s a young group. We graduated a lot last year, and seeing those guys\u2014they\u2019re starting to grow more and more each and every week,\u201d Harris said. \u201cI always love getting these tests, playing really good football teams. Playing really good football teams makes you a better football team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Facing an undefeated Florida High squad on the road will take discipline and grit, but Harris\u2019 message to his locker room remains simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re loaded. You know, they\u2019ve got guys everywhere. So you\u2019ve just got to go in there and just chop wood,\u201d Harris said. \u201cYou know, it\u2019s all about us anyway. It\u2019s never about them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kick off from Mike Hickman stadium is 7 p.m. on Friday.<\/p>\n
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