PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Class 4A – Regional Finals

Class 4A shaped up once again this season with some familiar foes having made it to the regional finals. Who is looking to punch a ticket to next week’s state semifinals with a trip to Orlando being on the line? Here is our picks for this week.

Region I Final

Florida High (8-3) at Madison County (8-3)
Last Week’s Results: Florida High def. Fort White, 20-14; Madison County def. Florida High, 35-34
The Skinny: Florida High comes in to the game winning the game off a punt return on the last play of the game while Madison County barely escaped after Walton missed an extra point that would have tied the entire game up. So what should we expect this week? Likely another tight ball game and possibly overtime. These teams look evenly matched on paper and certainly will work hard to give each other a run for their money. The biggest reward for the winner is hosting next week’s state semifinal game. Both teams are certainly capable of winning this game.
Looking Ahead: Winner host the winner of the Bolles/Raines game.
Prediction: Madison County

Region II Final

Bolles (9-2) at Raines (8-3)
Last Week’s Results: Bolles def. Umatilla, 63-0; Raines def. The Villages, 54-0
The Skinny: Both Bolles and Raines are rolling high now with the end of the season for both teams having been successful for both teams. That carried over last week when both them shutout their first round opponents to advance to this week. Bolles has to go on the road again here and will play Raines at The Graveyard. However, given the known history behind Bolles, it is almost a safe bet to not bet against a Corky Rogers team in the playoffs for the most part. We have predicted Raines in the past only for us to look silly and there is no way we are taking them here at this point knowing the history of both teams and what they can and can’t do at this particular point.
Looking Ahead: Winner will travel to the winner of the Florida High/Madison County game.
Prediction: Bolles

Region III Final

Cocoa (10-1) at Clewiston (11-0)
Last Week’s Results: Cocoa def. Avon Park, 67-0; Clewiston def. Jones, 35-7
The Skinny: The game that every fan between Cocoa and Clewiston has been waiting for this season. It is such a big matchup that Cane Field will likely be sold out in Clewiston and you can bet that both teams are ready to fight hard. Just how hard? It could be back and forth, but there are some things that tip in Cocoa’s favor, primarily the schedule. Looking back on Cocoa’s schedule the only loss came to Trinity, KY, which was lost late in the game due to missing some extra points, but if you look back, that game was played very tight. Cocoa also hosted regional finalist Raines and won that game late after a tight battle to start the game. One thing however we do is that the Tigers are going to win this week.
Looking Ahead: Winner will host the winner of the Glades Central/Booker T. Washington game.
Prediction: Cocoa

Region IV Final

Glades Central (9-2) at Booker T. Washington (11-0)
Last Week’s Results: Glades Central def. Gulliver Prep, 32-13; Booker T. Washington def. Somerset Academy, 70-0
The Skinny: Glades Central got an early challenge last week against Gulliver Prep before pulling the game away and winning 32-13. However, Booker T. Washington went on a cake walk and just ran all over Somerset Academy. The biggest question here for this game is really a lot of question in one big one. Can anyone stop Booker T. Washington? The likely answer is no. Although the Tornadoes are not the same as they were last year, but they have continue to keep winning. However, Glades Central is improved and they have looked better on the field compared to what they were last season. Playing in Miami is no easy challenge and we don’t see anything change our projected state title pick this week.
Looking Ahead: Winner will travel to the winner of the Cocoa/Clewiston game.
Prediction: Booker T. Washington