District projections for Class 5A – Region III for the 2015 season.
District 5A-9
1. Lakewood
2. Tarpon Springs
3. Dunedin
4. Gibbs
Comment: A small-four team district, it will likely come down to Lakewood and Tarpon Springs controlling the district with Lakewood likely winning the district title. Dunedin could play the role of a dark horse in the district, but Gibbs, which went through a head coaching change this offseason, could find it to be a struggle within the district.
District 5A-10
1. Jefferson
2. Jesuit
3. Robinson
4. Spoto
5. Middleton
Comment: This is a district that could be a potential three-way race for two playoff spots. Jefferson which moved down from Class 6A, might find itself in a position to make a return to the playoffs after just missing out last season in the district of death. Jesuit will also contend with Jefferson for the district title, while Robinson will look to upset the whole plan. Spoto which surprisingly reached the second round of the playoffs last year could also have a word or two to say about the playoff spots, but it could be hard to follow up to the success from last year. Middleton is in a rebuilding mode and the playoffs are the last thought for a struggling team right now.
District 5A-11
1. Lemon Bay
2. Hardee
3. DeSoto County
4. Southeast
5. Booker
6. Bayshore
Comment: This district was hard to project due to a lot of uncertainties, but Lemon Bay might be the best team in the district. Hardee and DeSoto County however, will have a bigger say in how the district plays out. Southeast could be back on the rise and might have something to say in the district playoff race as well. Booker and Bayshore will be looking to find their place in the district as the season plays out.
District 5A-12
1. Lely
2. Dunbar
3. Immokalee
4. Cypress Lake
5. Mariner
Comment: Some think Immokalee would be the team that could potential district title contender and they just might, but we are not feeling it. We have seen improvement from Lely the last couple of years and we feel that the Trojans could win their second straight district championship this year. Dunbar which missed out on the playoffs last year could be back in it this year with Immokalee challenging for the runner-up spot. It remains to be seen if Cypress Lake and Mariner can take a step forward this season.
Projected Regional Quarterfinal Matchups (Round 1)
Jesuit (R10) vs. Lakewood (W9)
Tarpon Springs (R9) vs. Jefferson (W10)
Dunbar (R12) vs. Lemon Bay (W11)
Hardee (R11) vs. Lely (W12)
Projected Regional Semifinal Matchups (Round 2)
Jefferson vs. Lakewood
Lely vs. Lemon Bay
Projected Regional Final Matchup (Round 3)
Jefferson vs. Lely
State Semifinalist
Jefferson
