PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Looking Inside The Class 1A Playoffs

2012 STATE CHAMPION
Northview (3-6) – The Chiefs have had it rough this year, only winning three games in the regular season, but two of them were enough for them to get back into the Class 1A playoffs again. The loss of a few key playmakers, plus playing more teams in higher classifications have resulted in the not-so-pretty record this season.

THE TEAM TO BEAT – 1A NORTH
Blountstown (10-0) – This team has been on fire since Week 1 and their closest game was to district rival Chipley, which the Tigers won that in a 14-13 decision. That game right there gave Blountstown the District Title for 1A-3. If anything this team is looking real representative of the last time they went to the state finals, which was in 2004.

THE TEAM TO BEAT – 1A SOUTH
Dixie County (8-0) – Another team that has been on fire since the start of the season and has easily controlled every single game they were in this season. The team is clearly lead by Senior DB Duke Dawson (Florida-commit) and you could say he is the jack of all trades as he has played at the quarterback position this season as well, giving opposing teams headaches on both sides of the ball.

SLEEPER – 1A NORTH
Baker (10-0) – It has been a while since Baker last made the playoffs (2008) and the Gators have riding through the 1A classification very quietly. This team hasn’t seen a state final game since 1993 when it won its fourth title under legendary coach, Jeff Webb. Don’t be surprised if they actually make it all the way to the state semifinals and give Blountstown a challenge.

SLEEPER – 1A SOUTH
Trenton (8-1) – Trenton has been quietly working through its schedule this year with its only loss coming to undefeated Dixie County. While the Tigers were the state runner-up last season, a rematch against Dixie County in the state semifinals could produce a different outcome that no one would expect.

THREE FIRST ROUND  MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Lafayette (7-2) at Trenton (8-1) – Talk about wanting a rematch for an unfinished Week 1 game this season and both teams are going to get it. While Lafayette was favored to win its district this season and didn’t, I don’t think anyone is going to mind settling for second in this situation, while Trenton has three straight district titles dating back to 2011.

Liberty County (8-2) at Blountstown (10-0) – Here is another rivalry game that is going to get its second showdown this season. Liberty County lost the first meeting earlier this season, the Bulldogs are looking for nothing more to get a second chance a redemption on the Tigers. However, Blountstown here is truly the stronger team when you look at it on paper.

Bell (8-2) at Hamilton County (4-5) – You wouldn’t really put a 4-5 team under a marquee matchup, but in this case we are. Four of Hamilton County’s five losses come to playoff teams – Union County, Dixie County in Class 1A, Taylor County in 4A and Suwannee in 5A – while it’s fifth loss came to a very good Chiefland team that just missed the playoffs with a 7-3 record. As for Bell it is their first playoff game and their best season school history, so a lot is riding for both of these programs.

ORIGINAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUP – PRESEASON
Northview vs. Lafayette

NEW STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUP
Blountstown over Dixie County