District projections for Class 8A – Region IV for the 2015 season.
District 8A-13
1. American
2. North Miami
3. North Miami Beach
4. Hialeah
5. Hialeah Gardens
6. Dr. Krop
Comment: This was almost as easy as throwing darts on the wall … well not quite. American which moves up from Class 7A to Class 8A this year will be the early favorite to win this district, but we should not count North Miami or even North Miami Beach out of that race. All three of these teams are capable of winning the district or at least reaching the playoffs. Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens and Dr. Krop all have a lot of work to do to be able to contend with the top three schools in the district.
District 8A-14
1. Columbus
2. Coral Gables
3. Miami Senior
4. Miami Beach
5. Miami Coral Park
Comment: The 2014 Class 8A State Runner-up in Columbus is certainly the favorite to win the district, but given Coral Gables has played the last several year, the district will come down to these two teams likely fighting for the playoff spots. Miami Senior will play the dark horse role and if they can upset either Columbus or Coral Gables, then the district landscape for the rest of the season will certainly be different. Miami Beach still has a bit of work to do to be in the playoff hunt as does Miami Coral Park.
District 8A-15
1. Belen Jesuit
2. Southwest Miami
3. Coral Reef
4. Ferguson
5. Braddock
6. Varela
Comment: Belen Jesuit will be lead by its defense as it fills in some holes on the offensive side of the ball, that should not stop them for contending to be the district champion. Southwest Miami cites they are rebuilding, but given the recent history for the Eagles, we expect them to squeak into the playofs. Coral Reef has a new coach who won at Mater Academy and looks like they could have them in the playoff hunt as early as this year. Ferguson which improved last year could either be a contender or pretender depending how the team comes out of the gate to start the season. Braddock and Varela will need to see quick improvements to be able to contend for a playoff spot.
District 8A-16
1. Miami Killian
2. South Dade
3. Miami Southridge
4. Miami Palmetto
5. Homestead
Comment: Miami Killian appears to be the early favorite for the district, but South Dade will certainly have a say of how the district will play out. We believe Miami Southridge will certainly be a playoff contender and if they can knock either of the top two teams, they could very be playoff bound this season. Miami Palmetto will be right in the middle of the road with the district, while Homestead tries to find its identity as they move up from Class 6A to Class 8A after struggling the last few seasons.
Projected Regional Quarterfinal Matchups (Round 1)
Coral Gables (R14) vs. American (W13)
North Miami (R13) vs. Columbus (W14)
South Dade (R16) vs. Belen Jesuit (W15)
Southwest Miami (R15) vs. Miami Killian (W16)
Projected Regional Semifinal Matchups (Round 2)
Coral Gables vs. Columbus
South Dade vs. Miami Killian
Projected Regional Final Matchup (Round 3)
Columbus vs. Miami Killian
State Semifinalist
Columbus
