Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Jesuit, both ranked among the top 55 teams nationally by MaxPreps, have reached a preliminary agreement to face each other Saturday night in what will be one of the most anticipated — and unexpected — matchups of the season. 

The host Tigers were originally scheduled to play Wharton on Friday but the game was cancelled due to COVID protocols by the Wildcats. St. Thomas Aquinas was supposed to play Plantation but the game was cancelled, too, setting the stage for a contest between two state title contenders. 

The game time has yet to be determined. 

St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked sixth nationally by MaxPreps, is a perennial powerhouse. Last year, the program was declared national champions after beating Saint Louis (Hawaii) in the GEICO state champions bowl series. 

Jesuit, ranked 55th nationally, the highest among area teams, has reached the state semifinals in five of the past six seasons. The Tigers have nearly everyone back and are among the state title contenders in Class 6A.