Tampa Catholic will open its 2013 season with a home matchup against Class 4A powerhouse Madison County.
The Crusaders will host the two-time state champions on Aug. 30, finally rounding out its 10-game schedule for the year.
Tampa Catholic, which is nursing big postseason dreams of its own in Class 3A, will learn quickly if it’s ready to take the next step under first-year head coach Mike Gregory. The Crusaders will take on Sickles in the preseason, Madison County and then 2012 3A semifinalist Clearwater Central Catholic.
Madison County, which is less than 45 minutes east of Tallahassee, should be a stiff challenge: the Cowboys lost in the 2012 3A state championship by a touchdown to nationally ranked University School of Fort Lauderdale, also came up short in the 3A title game in 2011 and have gone 37-5 over the past three years.
Joel Anderson can be reached at janderson@tampabay.com or on Twitter @jdhometeam.