Jones vs. Santa Margarita: How to watch high school football clash live

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Both Jones (FL) and Santa Margarita (CA) find themselves playing in two of the hardest high school football leagues in the entire country for their respective states.

Before either of them get to league play though, they'll kick the 2026 season off against each other as Jones is the one making the cross-country trek to open the season.

If you're not able to make it Friday night, here's everything you need to know about both teams and how you'll be able to watch the showdown from home.

Watch Jones vs. Santa Margarita on NFHS Network

When is Jones vs. Santa Margarita high school football game?

The Florida vs. California high school football clash kicks off on Friday, August 21, 2026.

What time does Jones vs. Santa Margarita high school football game start?

The game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. PT.

Watch Jones vs. Santa Margarita high school football live

Jones and Santa Margarita fans can watch the game live on the NFHS Network.

Santa Margarita football: What to know

  • The Eagles once again play a gauntlet of a schedule in 2026 and they'll do so with a new quarterback. Vanderbilt commit Matthew Smith transferred over from Villa Park, where he completed 69% of his passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.
  • Expect to see a lot of Jaion Smith early and often. He led the Eagles' rushing attack in 2025, totaling 896 yards and nine touchdowns on 190 carries.
  • Defensively, there are plenty of questions that will need to be answered. The Eagles graduated their top five players in terms of tackle production. USC commit Isaia Vandermade will be leaned on heavily after totaling 47 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and a team-high nine sacks as a junior.

Jones football: What to know

  • The biggest name to know in this game comes from the Tigers in the form of Texas A&M four-star edge commit Frederick Ards. A force up front, Ards was dominant last season, totaling 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and a team-high 11 sacks.
  • Ards isn't the only problem up front that Santa Margarita will have to deal with. West Virginia pledge DaJour Webb, a 6-foot-1, 335-pounder transferred in from Pennsylvania.
  • There will be a lot of questions on offense for the Tigers as they have to replace several key starters, including quarterback Dereon Coleman (2,911 yards, 30 touchdowns) and running back Daunte Wallace (1,401 yards, 20 touchdowns).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jones vs. Santa Margarita: How to watch high school football clash live

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos