District projections for Class 6A – Region II for the 2015 season.
District 6A-5
1. Gainesville
2. Vanguard (Ocala)
3. Leesburg
4. Forest
5. Lake Weir
Comment: Looking at this district, Gainesville remains the team to beat despite having six losses last year and should be looking to improve in the win column this season. Vanguard has looked shaky as of recent, but they have the experience to reach the playoffs. Leesburg is under a new head coach who was able to lead Hilliard to the playoffs the last two year and is expected to bring stablitiy back to Leesburg. Forest could also be potential playoff contender and if they beat either Leesburg or Vanguard, things will certainly be fun to watch. Lake Weir will have to make some noise to have a chance at being in middle part of the district.
District 6A-6
1. Sunlake
2. Pasco
3. Mitchell
4. Springstead
5. Land O’Lakes
Comment: Sunlake clearly has become one of the best teams in Pasco County under Bill Browning’s leadership and will certainly be right back in the hunt for a district championship this season. Pasco will be looking to bounce back this season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in over five years last year. Mitchell, who reached the playoffs last season could be the darkhorse in the district and will certainly be a competitive team. Springstead and Land O’Lakes will round out the back and might find it difficult to compete with the top half of the district.
District 6A-7
1. Armwood
2. Hillsborough
3. Brandon
4. King
5. Chamberlain
6. Blake
Comment:By far it is clear that the Armwood is the top team in the district, but this might also be the only year in the next two years that teams might have a chance to be the Hawks if they really want to. Hillsborough and Brandon are the next two best team in the district and will likely battle it out for the runner-up spot. King and Chamberlain could have chance to finish in the middle of the district, but outside of being playoff contenders. Blake has a new head coach, but the rebuilding project will be a tall task.
District 6A-8
1. Lake Gibson
2. Lake Wales
3. Auburndale
4. Sebring
5. Lake Region
Comment:A new Polk County district that actually moves from the South to the North this year. Lake Gibson is by far the leading team and has the talent to win the district easily. Lake Wales and Auburndale will battle it out for the runner-up spot as those two teams moved up from Class 5A last season. Both Lake Wales and Auburndale will compete for the runner-up spot with Sebring being a potential darkhorse. Lake Region will be going through a rebuilding phase and the playoffs are likely the last thought for the team right now.
Projected Regional Quarterfinal Matchups (Round 1)
Pasco (R6) vs. Gainesville (W5)
Vanguard (R5) vs. Sunlake (W6)
Lake Wales (R8) vs. Armwood (W7)
Hillsborough (R7) vs. Lake Gibson (W8)
Projected Regional Semifinal Matchups (Round 2)
Gainesville vs. Sunlake
Armwood vs. Lake Gibson
Projected Regional Final Matchup (Round 3)
Sunlake vs. Armwood
State Semifinalist
Armwood
