Mandarin and McArthur to Face Off at Broward County Classic

The two Florida high school football powerhouses will meet in the annual showcase event.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase announced that Mandarin High School from Northeast Florida and McArthur High School from South Florida will face off in the 2026 edition of the annual event. Both teams reached their respective regional finals in 2025 and are expected to be state title contenders this upcoming season.

Why it matters

The Broward County Classic has become one of the premier high school football showcases in the country, featuring top teams from Florida and across the nation. This matchup between Mandarin and McArthur will pit two of the state's top programs against each other to kick off the 2026 season.

The details

Mandarin is coming off a 12-1 season in 2025, reaching the FHSAA's Class 6A, Region 1 final, while McArthur had its first 10-win season since 2016, advancing to the Class 5A, Region 4 final. Mandarin is led by 2028 four-star wide receiver Brysen Wright and three-star quarterback Knox Annis, while McArthur is under the direction of head coach Robert Ortega.

  • The Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase began in 2022.
  • The 2026 edition of the showcase will take place on August 27-28.

The players

Mandarin High School

A high school football powerhouse from Northeast Florida that reached the regional finals in 2025.

McArthur High School

A South Florida high school that had its first 10-win season since 2016 and reached the regional finals in 2025.

Brysen Wright

A 2028 four-star wide receiver for Mandarin High School.

Knox Annis

The three-star quarterback for Mandarin High School.

Robert Ortega

The head coach of McArthur High School.

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What’s next

The Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase will announce the remaining five matchups for the 2026 event in the coming months.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated matchup between Mandarin and McArthur will be a must-see event for high school football fans in Florida, as two of the state's top programs clash to open the 2026 season at the prestigious Broward County Classic.