PERFECTION: A look at the 24 playoff teams that went undefeated in the 2012 Regular Season

CLASS 8A
While many chances existed for some teams to carry out a perfect season in Class 8A including the likes of Timber Creek, South Plantation and Vero Beach, Dr. Phillips was the only team to accomplish such a feat again for the second year in a row. While most think the biggest class has the best football, this year is not the case as Region IV of the Class 8A Playoff Bracket is not very strong outside of South Dade and Miami Killian.

Dr. Phillips Panthers, 10-0, District 5-8A

Dr. Phillips alum Rodney Wells who is now in his second season as the head coach has led the Panthers to a perfect season. Now the question remains on how far will Dr. Phillips go in the playoffs. Dr. Phillips made it to the Regional Semifinal last season before being stuffed against eventual Class 8A champion, Plant. However, some believe this year that Dr. Phillips might be more in line to stop Plant than they were last season. A possible match up with Plant could happen in the Regional Semifinal again this year.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Wharton (8-2)

CLASS 7A

This classification may just be one of the strongest in the state alongside Class 6A this season. With a total of five undefeated teams spread out through the playoff bracket, things are speaking for themselves when it comes to the quality of teams that lurk in the bracket. It will be interesting to see what the state final match up will look like come the middle of next month.

First Coast Buccaneers, 10-0, District 2-7A
First Coast now has perfect back-to-back regular seasons for the first time ever in school history after going 9-o during the season last year. Overall, First Coast is now 23-1 over the last two season including playoff games and the talent pool is just as deep again. Some think First Coast will make it back to the state final again this year, but he Road To Orlando is going to be a lot tougher as the north bracket in Class 7A boasts three undefeated teams and quite a few one or two loss teams who are wanting to make some noise as well.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Buchholz (5-5)

Osceola (Kissimmee) Kowboys, 10-0, District 6-7A
The Kowboys with a K are back to the level of play that everyone is use to seeing them at and second year head coach Doug Nichols just knows what it takes to get Osceola in line for a state championship run. Nichols has had connections to the program in one way or another for many years including the 1998 State Championship team where he was the offensive coordinator. Talent exist on this roster, although not as popular in name and that has led the Kowboys to possibly be one of the best kept secrets in Class 7A and possibly the entire state of Florida. However, in the end the short trip to Orlando will have some tough spots for them travel on if they want to play come the middle of December.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Lakeland (9-1)

Durant Cougars, 10-0, District 8-7A
This team might just be the best kept secret in the entire state this year as the Cougars rose up quietly to win the District 8-7A title and go a perfect 10-0. Now the quest is on to make a run to the state championship final, but the Road To Orlando is going to be a tough one for a Durant team that many do not know about. Being the only undefeated team to come out of Hillsborough County this season is quite an accomplishment especially when compared to other teams like Plant and Armwood who are usually the teams that are the ones making a run at an undefeated regular season.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Tampa Bay Tech (8-2)

Manatee Hurricanes, 10-0, District 10-7A
This is a team that has been on the national radar since the end of last season and sure enough this Hurricanes, team might just be the best ever team to play inside Hawkins Stadium, period! Now while this is not the first undefeated team for Joe Kinnan at Manatee, it is possibly believed to be the first to be talked about being in line for multiple National Mythical Championships if the win the Class 7A State Final. The Road To Orlando looks fairly easy for the Hurricanes, minus a possible trap game against Fort Pierce Central in the Regional Final in a few weeks. Needless to say, Manatee has the best chance to make this record a perfect 15-0 when it is all said and done.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Northeast (St. Petersburg) (8-2)

Fort Pierce Central Cobras, 9-0, District 12-7A
While only allowed to play 9 games in the regulars season per St. Lucie County School District rules, that has not stopped the Cobras who have completed their first perfect regular season since 1997. Josh Shaffer, who took over the program last season as head coach is leading the team to higher levels than has been seen in years and some people believe they might be the only challenge worthy of knocking off Manatee in the playoffs. However, the road to playing Manatee will take them through a Lemon Bay team that has turned around and who ever is the winner of the Charlotte/Martin County game in the Regional Semifinal before meeting up with Manatee. Overall, the Cobras should relish this perfect regular season as long as they can.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Lemon Bay (7-3)

CLASS 6A
This classification boast the most teams (six) with a perfect regular season record coming into the playoffs. This is believe to be the best classification in the state this season and with the number of undefeated teams and the number of quality of one, two or even three loss teams, boast that statement even further. While me may not see Armwood vs. Miami Central again in the state final this year, we believe that a surprise might be waiting for us come the middle of next month.

St. Augustine Yellow Jackets, 10-0, District 4-6A
While not the first perfect regular season in St. Augustine’s history, this one has been sprung upon us very quietly this year that may continue on deep into the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets are 19-2 over the last two season including playoff games and they have brought a fire with them heading into this postseason, determine to not let the first round, Regional Quarterfinal game slip away like it did last season against Columbia. And yes the Yellow Jackets do have talent, but that talent has been quietly rising that has been overshadowed by others in the state.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Ridgeview (9-1)

Gainesville Hurricanes, 10-0, District 5-6A
This is believed to be the first undefeated regular season for the Hurricanes since the early 1970’s and many believe this is the team to beat in Class 6A this season. While steam rolling most of its opponents, Gainesville did pull out two tough wins against 6A Columbia and against 3A Madison County. Although James Thomson is only in his second season with the school, a state championship title will forever seal his name into the Hurricanes football history that already has one state title from 1980 in the trophy case.

Regional Quartefinal Opponent: Hernando (6-4)

Largo Packers, 10-0, District 7-6A
While Largo has been one of the most successful teams, no one was really for certain if the Packers were a team that could take the regular season and go undefeated. As the season progressed further the more it became that Largo was THE TEAM TO BEAT in Pinellas County. However, the Packers face tough road especially once they get to the second and third rounds where possible match-ups against Hillsborough and Gainesville could be lurking. However, the Packers should enjoy this rare feat they have made this year and look forward to the road ahead in the playoffs.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Armwood (7-3)

New Smyrna Beach Barracudas, 10-0, District 9-6A
Lance Jenkins came to New Smyrna Beach in 2010 after being the offensive coordinator for the last perfect regular season team before this season, in 1999. Jenkins has turned the Barracudas into possibly the best program in Volusia County this year and possibly could be a top program for years to come under his leadership. Although New Smyrna Beach has never won a state championship it would like to go on a quest to try to make that run, but will have to possibly go up against teams like Lake Gibson and Naples in deeper rounds that also went undefeated in the regular season. It has been a fun ride so far and should be fun going into the playoffs.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Winter Haven (9-1)

Lake Gibson Braves, 10-0, District 10-6A
Lake Gibson is no stranger to perfection and has been a team that has always been striving for perfection under Keith DeMeyer. The Braves who rode through some tough challenges this year, especially in district play can celebrate this unbeaten regular season knowing they had to put in more than 100 percent to achieve it. However, now the Road To Orlando is at hand here and the road is not going to be easy getting their with a quality of number of teams that lurk in the Class 6A South Bracket that would like to make that run as well.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Mainland (7-3)

Naples Golden Eagles, 10-0, District 12-6A
Head Coach Bill Kramer has his team in a position he likes to have them in going into the postseason: UNDEFEATED. While it has been a while since Naples has made a serious run for a state championship outside of last season, there is some sense that Naples may have what it takes to make that trip to Orlando to play for a state championship next month. If the Golden Eagles keep up with the style of football they have been playing all season we might just see them pull up at the Citrus Bowl ready to play.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Island Coast (8-2)

CLASS 5A
This classification has been some what surprising in terms of the teams that could have gone undefeated this season that did not. All three teams in this classification that went undefeated are from the 5A North Bracket and has some wondering how the 5A South Bracket might shake out to determine who will play in Orlando next month. If anything this bracket will be fun to watch as it all shakes out over the next few weeks.

West Florida Tech Jaguars, 10-0, District 1-5A
Now under its third season under Harry Lees, the West Florida Tech bested their best season in school history by topping it with its first ever undefeated season. The Jaguars are the largely unknown team in Class 5A, although they boast a nice ranking the classification polls around the state. If anything this team will be interesting to watch as the playoffs start and progress with a number of quality teams that will be trying to roadblock the Jaguars from success.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Godby (9-1)

Wakulla War Eagles, 10-0, District 2-5A
For the first time since 1983 and the first time under Scott Klees has the Wakulla War Eagles finished undefeated in the regular season, With their third consecutive win over Godby in the last two seasons many believe this team might be headed back to Orlando, where last year they surprised almost everyone besides themselves in making a run to Orlando. If anything expect a challenge again from Godby in the second round or possibly West Florida Tech and other challenges from Ponte Vedra and Pasco to be present again this year.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: Gulf Breeze (7-3)

Pasco Pirates, 10-0, District 6-5A
With back-to-back seasons of going undefeated, the Pasco Pirates have one goal left they fell short of finishing last year: making it to Orlando. The Pirates appear to be the favorite of making that run from Class 5A North on some peoples brackets and they might just do it as they have only allowed very few points all season long while running up the score on everyone else. If nothing more Tom McHugh wants to finish with holding up a trophy to represent the last two years of success he has built around his team.

Regional Quarterfinal Opponent: North Marion (5-5)

CLASS 4A
It is surprising not to see more than one team from this classification enter the playoffs undefeated, but this is the fun thing about high school football as anything can happen at any given moment, like Bolles falling to 7A Fleming Island or Booker T. Washington falling to Miami Central when they thought they had the game under wraps. Nonetheless, Class 4A is going to provide some excitement especially if this lone undefeated team finds it way back to playing for a state championship for the second time ever.

South Sumter Raiders, 10-0, District 4-4A
Talent has existed in South Sumter for many years, but this year many saw the pieces that they could go undefeated despite the weak district schedule that is really out of their control. There were only four teams that even got the chance to score on this team this season and shutouts became the common theme behind this Raiders team and head coach Inman Sherman. However, doubts exist if they can possibly get past Bolles in the second round to face a potential match-up against Yulee or East Gadsden in the State Semifinal for a trip to the state final next month. Overall, don’t count South Sumter out at all in this.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Raines (8-2)

CLASS 3A
Class 3A is an exciting classification that could provide a showdown of teams that are all hungry to compete for a state title come next month, despite the classification being below the minimum numbers for a classification per FHSAA bylaws. However, only three teams claimed perfection in the regular season and two of the teams come as no surprise, but the third team in this list has surprised a lot of people and has us wondering if they are a contender or a pretender. The next few weeks will provide us that answer for sure.

The First Academy Royals, 10-0, District 4-3A
This team might just be one of the best small school teams in the Orlando area this year and the record speaks for itself with a schedule that consisted of a tough non-district schedule outside of four district contest in District 4-3A. Head Coach Leroy Kinnard knows the keys to success for The Royals and for this team they would love nothing more than to be playing just down the street in the Citrus Bowl come next month for a state championship.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Fort White (6-4)

American Heritage Stallions, 10-0, District 7-3A
It is no surprise that even with a head coaching change over during the off-season that the American Heritage Stallions are undefeated this year that includes wins over 6A Armwood, 7A Dwyer and out-of-state opponent West Monroe, LA. American Heritage is full of a talent and they more ready than ever to defend their Class 3A state championship from 2011. If anything this team knows how to play it close on teams and blow teams out in the same sentence, but one trap game exists and that is in the Regional Final possibly against University School.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Chaminade-Madonna (7-2)

University School Suns, 8-0, District 8-3A
With two games getting canceled this season due to weather has not force the Suns to let off the gas pedal but instead keep the foot on their stronger than ever. In a quest to make a second trip to Orlando in three years, the Suns know they must do everything right to win games no matter if it is on the road or if it is at home. The toughest challenge for the Suns will be a possible second round matchup against the American Heritage Stallions who will be defending their 2011 Class 3A State Championship, but the Suns do have the talent to get past them so expect that game to be a fun showdown.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Cardinal Newman (9-1)

CLASS 2A
Class 2A has some interesting quirks to it with some huge districts that made things interesting and fun to predict on who would emerge into the playoffs this season. Sure enough we have some teams that are in and some teams that we never though would be in the position they are now. Overall though, three teams will enter the playoffs this coming week as undefeated, with one being a program that is just in its fourth year of football overall.

Lake Mary Prep Griffins, 10-0, District 4-2A
What a challenge it was for the Griffins to get to this pivotal point with Buck Gurley in charge and having Ray Lewis III as his premiere athlete to lead the team. It is believed that this is the first regular undefeated season in Lake Mary Prep history and if it is they Griffins should enjoy it because a short trip to the Citrus Bowl is going to be a tough road to go down on with the prospects of Warner Christian, University Christian and North Florida Christian all being possible opponents after this coming week. But as we all know a great coach will expect great challenges for his team and that is what Gurley will get here going into the playoffs.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Trinity Christian (Deltona) (7-3)

First Baptist (Naples) Lions, 10-0, District 6-2A
No one thought for a moment this team would win its district, let alone go undefeated, but some did see a chance of the Lions making the playoffs as a district runner-up to St. John Neumann. However, the Lions have made many people believers after winning all their games, but no one is for sure how far they will go or who they will face if they go deep. A quest for a state championship is on their mind for sure, but a meetup with Glades Day will likely be in the cards if they get that far.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Indian Rocks Christian (6-4)

Dade Christian Crusaders, 9-0, District 8-2A
This is a team coming on hard and fast and is challenging and defeating everything in its way towards making it to the state finals for the first time in school history. Did anyone expect Dade Christian to go undefeated this season? Some might have, but given the challenging schedule it was a feat that was more impossible to do considering they manage to squeak by IND (7A) Ronald Reagan by just one point during the season. If anything this team will one to watch in the next few week.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Village Academy (4-6)

CLASS 1A
The rural classification has been interesting to watch the past two season and it seems this year that teams have made more of a stride to even do better than last year and it also resulted in a few different teams showing up in the playoffs compared to last year. One district has sent two teams in that were not in it at all last year. However, it appears no surprise that there are two undefeated teams in this classification and it might come to no surprise as who those two teams are.

Trenton Tigers, 10-0, District 6-1A
This is the first time in Trenton school history that the Tigers have had back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and has been 21-1 in that stretch including playoff games. The Tigers are on a quest that no team in Glichrist County has ever touched before: A trip to the state finals. Is Trenton going to become the first team? It depends on how you look at it, but the road is rough for the Tigers who will have to face a Jefferson County team that is bouncing back in the Regional Semifinal and possibly a rematch against Lafayette in the Regional Final before meeting up with Union County or Newberry in the state semifinal. If Trenton does reach the state final it would be history in the making for sure.

Regional Semifinal Opponent: Jefferson County (3-7)

Union County Tigers, 10-0, District 7-1A
Union County is the owner of multiple state titles and multiple trips to the state finals over the years. There is nothing in that statement that meets the eye more than Ronny Pruitt wanting to add his name to the legacy his brother, Robby built up in the 1990’s at Union County. Now this year again Union County finds itself undefeated again going into the post season and while most thought last year was the year for a Union County return to the state finals, this year might be that year again. However a possible rematch with Newberry in the second round plus a possible meeting with Trenton in the third round will provide a nice challenge for the Tigers to get to Orlando next month.