District projections for Class 5A – Region II for the 2015 season.
District 5A-5
1. Clay
2. Orange Park
3. Baker County
4. Ridgeview
5. Menendez
6. Palatka
Comment: This is a district where each team is going to take their brand of football seriously. Clay is now two years removed from a state championship appearance in Class 5A and has all the makings for another run at the district championship. Rival Orange Park should be much improved this season and could be a runner-up contender along with Baker County and Ridgeview. Menendez could play a dark horse role in the district if they got off to a fast start. Palatka, which is now on their third head coach in three seasons might struggle this season as they try to find their grove in the district.
District 5A-6
1. North Marion
2. Eastside
3. Belleview
Comment: There is not much to write about this district except that North Marion is a very talented team that will play a tough schedule and could be a favorite to make a deep playoff run this year. Eastside and Belleview will battle it out for the runner-up spot, but neither team should really expect to contend with North Marion for the district title this season.
District 5A-7
1. Nature Coast
2. Lecanto
3. Crystal River
4. Weeki Wachee
5. Citrus
6. Hernando
7. Central (Brooksville)
Comment: This is a brand new district in the North Suncoast region and one of the very few districts in the state that did not have a single team reach the playoffs last year, although Nature Coast was very close in a district tie breaker shootout. With that said, Nature Coast is very much a team that is in line to compete this season for the district title and should win it. Rivals Crystal River and Lecanto are likely to battle it out for the runner-up spot although Weeki Wachee could be thrown into the mix. It would also not be surprising if the district is settled through tiebreakers as well. Citrus, Hernando and Central will round out the back end of the district. Overall, this is one district that could actually be fun to watch this season.
District 5A-8
1. River Ridge
2. Zephyrhills
3. Hudson
4. Anclote
5. Fivay
6. Ridgewood
7. Wesley Chapel
8. Gulf
Comment: Three teams in this district last year reached the playoffs, but we only see two of those three having a true shot at making it back this year. River Ridge will be the district leader as the team has rose up steadily the last couple of years under Ryan Benjamin’s leadership. Zephyrhills could be a possible district title contender as well, but Hudson and Anclote will also be looking to make some noise. Rounding off the back end will be Fivay, Ridgewood, Wesley Chapel and Gulf. With a recent coaching change and struggling to have kids out on the field, Gulf could find it a rough year after reaching the playoffs last year.
Projected Regional Quarterfinal Matchups (Round 1)
Eastside (R6) vs. Clay (W5)
Orange Park (R5) vs. North Marion (W6)
Zephyrhills (R8) vs. Nature Coast (W7)
Lecanto (R7) vs. River Ridge (W8)
Projected Regional Semifinal Matchups (Round 2)
North Marion vs. Clay
River Ridge vs. Nature Coast
Projected Regional Final Matchup (Round 3)
North Marion vs. Nature Coast
State Semifinalist
North Marion
