It is hard to believe we are already through six weeks of high school football action in the state meaning most teams are now left four or five games to play. It is also that time to start talking about playoffs and we will give you a weekly update how each and every district looks around the state and break it down for you. Also we will look back on our preseason predictions for state championship games and eee if they still hold up to the test of it possibly happening.
Diving in to Class 2A, things are looking somewhat the same, but then somewhat different and that is good. Different is good because that means the playoffs should be by no means fun to watch, especially in this classification.
Preseason State Championship Game Prediction: North Florida Christian vs Glades Day
Chances of this game still happening: Still sold that this game will happen as of this week, but things could change since North Florida Christian has lost a key player already due to injury. However, with that aside, this game has a chance to be different than the the 69-0 that North Florida Christian laid out on Admiral Farragut. Glades Day is still riding high with Kelvin Taylor, picking up things again after getting throttled by the hands of Yulee the week before and that right there says Glades Day is still in the thick of things to make the run again.
Prediction change needed?: No, not at this point.
Looking at the districts: While the smaller districts are seeing leader emerge, the bigger districts still have some sifting to go through before districts will shake out. 5-2A is the best example where 5 teams have a shot at making the playoffs depending on how they play the rest of their district schedule.
Now we will look at each district and see how things are looking. Remember when looking at the record, it is the overall district record.
DISTRICT 1-2A | 2 teams, 1 district game
In the Driver’s Seat: North Florida Christian, 0-0 | FAMU, 0-0
Still Alive: None
Still Alive, But Needs Help: None
Eliminated: None
Analysis: Both North Florida Christian and FAMU are automatic qualifying teams again for the playoffs. While North Florida Christian is doing well overall this season, being ranked #1 for a good portion of the first six weeks, FAMU is struggling. Howver, no matter what the story is both of teams are in the playoffs.
Preseason District Projection: 1. North Florida Christian, 2. FAMU
DISTRICT 2-2A | 5 teams, 4 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Eagle’s View, 2-0; University Christian, 1-0
Still Alive: Oak Hall, 1-1; St. Joseph 0-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: St. Francis, 0-2
Eliminated: None
Analysis: Pretty much, this district is shaking out to what we thought it was going to be like with Eagle’s View and University Christian taking the driver’s seat. For Oak Hall and St. Joseph they remain alive, but have their work cut out for them to try to knock off the the driver’s seat teams. St. Francis, which has been struggling this season needs help to have a chance of a possible postseason appearance.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Eagle’s View, 2. University Christian, 3. Oak Hall, 4. St. Francis, 5. Oak Hall
DISTRICT 3-2A | 7 teams, 6 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Warner Christian, 3-0; Florida Air, 2-0
Still Alive: Trinity Christian (Deltona), 2-1; St. John Lutheran, 1-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: Father Lopez, 1-2, St. Edward’s, 1-2
Eliminated: Calvary Christian (Ormond), 0-4
Analysis: A lot of things can happen in this district still, but it is clear that Warner Christian and Florida Air are in the driver’s seat and are looking to take the top two spots. However Trinity Christian (Deltona) and St. John Lutheran still have some games left to and could win out on either end to make things more interesting. For Father Lopez, who is finding new ways to get a win and St. Edward’s, both need some help to possibly force a tiebreaker situation. As for Calvary Christian (Ormond), it is a pretty much safe bet that at 0-4, there is not route to the playoffs at all.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Warner Christian, 2. Trinity Christian (Deltona), 3. St. John Lutheran, 4. Florida Air, 5. St. Edward’s, 6. Father Lopez, 7. Calvary Christian (Ormond)
DISTRICT 4-2A | 7 teams, 6 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Lake Mary Prep, 3-0
Still Alive: Foundation Academy, 3-1, Agape Christian, 1-1, Orlando Christian Prep 1-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: Santa Fe Catholic, 1-2; Victory Christian, 1-2; Mount Dora Bible, 0-3
Eliminated: None
Analysis: Lake Mary Prep in the lead and no surprise overall that they are. However the biggest surprise is Foundation Academy have a nice, 3-1 record and is looking to get a shot into the postseason, but have Agape Christian and Orlando Christian Prep in the mirror looking to get a spot (or maybe two). For Santa Fe Catholic, Victory Christian and Mount Dora Bible, some help will be needed to most likely force a tiebreaker situation.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Lake Mary Prep, 2. Victory Christian, 3. Agape Christian, 4. Santa Fe Catholic, 5. Mount Dora Bible, 6. Foundation Academy, 7. Orlando Christian Prep
DISTRICT 5-2A | 9 teams, 8 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Indian Rock Christian, 4-1
Still Alive: Carrollwood Day, 3-1; Admiral Farragut, 3-1; Bradenton Christian, 3-1; Calvary Christian (Clearwater), 3-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: Cambridge, 2-3; Keswick Christian, 1-3
Eliminated: Canterbury, 1-4; Northside Christian, 0-5
Analysis: If you like big districts and uncertainty in October, this is the district for you. Indian Rocks Christian is in the Driver’s Seat right now thanks to an upset win over district favorite Admiral Farragut. However, four teams are still pretty much in the thick of it and all have a 3-1 district record that includes Carrollwood Day, Admiral Farragut, Bradenton Christian and Calvary Christian (Clearwater). Somethings will shake out further in Week 7, but all four of these teams have legitimate shot of the playoffs as well. For Cambridge and Keswick Christian, winning the rest of the district schedule is a must to force a tiebreaker situation. For Canterbury and Northside Christian, they are pretty much playing for pride. Canterbury has taken losses to three of the four teams tied at 3-1, effectively eliminating from any shot. Northside Christian has its work cut out of for them and to squeeze in even one district win is going to be a tough challenge at this point.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Carrollwood Day, 2. Admiral Farragut, 3. Canterbury, 4. Calvary Christian (Clearwater), 5. Keswick Christian, 6. Indian Rocks Christian, 7. Bradenton Christian, 8. Cambridge Christian, 9. Northside Christian
DISTRICT 6-2A | 8 teams, 7 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: First Baptist (Naples), 5-0
Still Alive: Moore Haven, 4-1; St. John Neumann, 3-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: Out-of-Door, 2-2; Community School, 1-2; Southwest Florida Christian, 1-2
Eliminated: St. Stephen’s, 0-4; Evangelical Christian, 0-4
Analysis: This district is finding that has a clear cut leader with two followers just following right behind. First Baptist has come out strong this year and has shown they are the team to beat. Things are pretty much this over the next few weeks. Moore Haven loses another district game while First Baptist wins its sixth district game out of seven. First Baptist will win the district flat out no matter what happens come Week 10 between them and Moore Haven. For St. John Neumann, the goal is to get a win over Moore Haven to stay in the race otherwise they will need help to get to the playoffs this year, since their only district loss is to First Baptist. For Out-of-Door, Community School and Southwest Florida Christian, they will have to find ways to force a tiebreaker situation if they want to make the playoffs. For St. Stephen’s and Evangelical Christian they are eliminated with 4 losses eac h in district play.
Preseason District Projection: 1. St. John Neumann, 2. First Baptist (Naples), 3. Out-of-Door, 4. Evangelical Christian, 5. Moore Haven, 6. Community School, 7. Southwest Florida Christian, 8. St. Stephen’s
DISTRICT 7-2A | 6 teams, 5 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Glades Day, 3-0; Village Academy, 2-0
Still Alive: Summit Christian, 1-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: Highlands Christian, 1-2, Coral Springs Christian, 0-2, Jupiter Christian, 0-2
Eliminated: None
Analysis: This district has some changes since last season, most notebably the downward slide of Jupiter Christian, which is usually has been a team in the driver’s seat in the past. However, this year Glades Day and Village Academy is command of the the driver’s seat, while Summit Christian looks to challenge for a playoff spots as well. Highlands Christian, Coral Springs Christian and Jupiter Christian will all need help if they want to possibly make the playoffs via a tiebreaker situation.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Glades Day, 2. Village Academy, 3. Jupiter Christian, 4. Highlands Christian, 5. Coral Springs Christian, 6. Summit Christian
DISTRICT 8-2A | 3 teams, 2 district games
In the Driver’s Seat: Dade Christian, 1-0
Still Alive: Champagnat, 1-1; South Florida HEAT, 0-1
Still Alive, But Needs Help: None
Eliminated: None
Analysis: This district went from being a six team district last season just down to three this year and Champagnat has already completed its district slate, so it now waits for a for Dade Christian and South Florida HEAT to meet up later this month to see if they will be in the playoffs or having to fight for it all again in a tiebreaker. For Dade Christian, it simply knows that if they win against South Florida HEAT they will be home for the first round of the playoffs. For the South Florida HEAT, they have their work cut out for them and pretty much are at the mercy of themselves if they want to even have a shot at the postseason at this point.
Preseason District Projection: 1. Champagnat, 2. Dade Christian, 3. South Florida HEAT
