With the Central Florida region fielding many teams and districts, the representation in the playoffs will once again by very high in the 2014 season.
We take a look at each district briefly and give you our projections for the 2014 season.
District 8A-2
1. Lake Mary
2. Lake Brantley
3. DeLand
4. Spruce Creek
5. Seminole (Sanford)
6. University (Orange City)
Why: The defending district champions Lake Mary Rams are poised for another solid playoff run with the return of several key playmakers. Arch-rival Lake Brantley lost several key players to transfer but should have enough to hold off Deland for the runner-up spot.
District 8A-3
1. Winter Park
2. Timber Creek
3. Oviedo
4. Hagerty
5. University (Orlando)
Why: Winter Park ended last season with a suprising run all the way to the Elite 8, there is no reason the Wildcats can’t make a similar run. Timber Creek can go far as Jacques Patrick takes them, if he stays healthy for a senior season the Wolves should be back in the playoffs for the eigth time in nine years. The Battle of Oviedo could serve as either an elimination game or playoff berth on the line.
District 8A-4
1. Apopka
2. West Orange
3. Evans
4. Olympia
Why: Apopka is loaded again and a safe bet to return to the Class 8A state finals for the third consecutive year. Throw in how last year surprisingly ended in Orlando and the Blue Darters have the motivation. West Orange is reloading after losing its top three playmakers but picked up three key transfers in the off-season. Evans and Olympia were hit hard with transfers following losing seasons and coaching changes.
District 8A-5
1. Dr. Phillips
2. Boone
3. Colonial
4. Freedom
5. Cypress Creek
Why: There are those districts in the state where there is a heavy favorite and everybody else is fighting for second. This is one of those as is Dr. Phillips is hands down the favorite again and should give Apopka a run for the state title. The runner-up spot should come down to Boone and Colonial, both were young last season and return many starters.
District 7A-4
1. Oak Ridge
2. Winter Springs
3. Wekiva
4. Lake Howell
5. East Ridge
6. Ocoee
7. East River
Why: This district is so deep it wouldn’t be surprising to see Lake Howell or East Ridge win the district. Oak Ridge is loaded offensively and will be hard to stop, while Winter Springs is loaded defensively. Watch out for Wekiva who made a turnaround in Kenard Lang’s first season and could sneak in the playoffs.
District 7A-6
1. Osceola (Kissimmee)
2. Lake Nona
3. Harmony
4. Gateway
5. St. Cloud
6. Liberty (Kissimmee)
7. Celebration
Why: Osceola reloads every season and has plenty of motivation for another state semifinal playoff run. The runner-up spot should come down to Lake Nona or Harmony, although the Lions return the states best quarterback and the Longhorns are rebuilding.
District 6A-9
1. Mainland
2. Seabreeze
3. New Smyrna Beach
4. Deltona
5. Pine Ridge
Why: It’s no surprise here, the District 6A-9 title will come down to the Oct. 31 showdown between city rivals Mainland and Seabreeze. Mainland has won three in a row in the series and five of the last six and looks to hold onto the Spike Welshinger trophy.
District 6A-10
1. South Lake
2. Lake Minneola
3. Leesburg
4. Edgewater
Why: With 9 starters back on offense and 8 on defense, it was easy to see why South Lake was an overwhelming favorite to win the district. Leesburg won the district last season but must replace several offensive playmakers, which should help a Lake Minneola team that returns 14 starters take away the runner-up spot.
District 5A-11
1. Bishop Moore
2. Tavares
3. Mount Dora
4. Eustis
5. Lake Highland Prep
Why: Bishop Moore should have no problem extending its district title streak to six consecutive years. The Hornets have won at least seven games 10 years in a row and should make another long playoff run. The runner-up spot is up for grabs but appears to be Tavares, who return 14 starters, to lose.
District 4A-5
1. Cocoa
2. Space Coast
3. Atlantic (Port Orange)
4. Jones
5. Cocoa Beach
Why: Cocoa fields one of the strongest teams yet again and it will likely be no match for Atlantic and Jones, but Atlantic could contended with Space Coast for the runner-up spot, which would be the only likely way to get in the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
District 2A-4
1. Victory Christian
2. Agape Christian
3. Foundation Academy
Why: Not only is Victory expected to win the district easy, but the Storm are expected to be back in Orlando competing for another state title. The return of athlete Caleb Lewis and the addition of Frostproof transfer Cecil Cherry will help the Storm reach both of their goals. Agape is loaded at the skill positions and should have more than enough help to hold off Foundation again for the runner-up spot.
District 1A-8
1. Crescent City
2. Wildwood
3. Taylor (Pierson)
Why: Crescent City returns good size and solid speed and a lot of confidence it will win the district and make noise in the state playoffs. Wildwood and Pierson Taylor will battle for the runner-up spot although Wildwood appears to be in better position as Taylor will rebuild.
