As the playoffs get ready to start this week, here is Publisher Joshua Wilson’s projected bracket for Class 1A.
This bracket I felt confident in since the start of the season that there would be a new state champion and I still feel that way at this point. I think the South portion of the bracket is much better than the North and that is why I will say it now — no matter who emerges from the South will win the state championship. Looking at it I feel like Madison County is still the favorite here, but Pahokee has certainly shown some signs they could be back to their old form as a dominating state championship caliber team that we were used to in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Trenton could still be in the mix in my mind as well, but it is going to be a tougher challenge than it was last year. Baker I think has the best chance to come out of the north, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Blounstown emerges as well to get to Orlando.
Bracket scrollable in mobile view
| REGIONAL SEMIFINAL |
REGIONAL FINAL |
STATE SEMIFINAL |
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP |
|
| R2 | Cottondale | |||
| Baker | ||||
| W1 | Baker | |||
| REGION I | Baker | |||
| R1 | Northview | |||
| Graceville | ||||
| W2 | Graceville | |||
| Baker | ||||
| R4 | Chipley | |||
| Blountstown | ||||
| W3 | Blountstown | |||
| REGION II | Blountstown | |||
| R3 | Port St. Joe | |||
| Port St. Joe | ||||
| W4 | West Gadsden | |||
| Madison County | ||||
| R6 | Baldwin | |||
| Madison County | ||||
| W5 | Madison County | |||
| REGION III | Madison County | |||
| R5 | Hamilton County | |||
| Fort White | ||||
| W6 | Fort White | |||
| Madison County | ||||
| R8 | Frostproof | |||
| Trenton | ||||
| W7 | Trenton | |||
| REGION IV | Pahokee | |||
| R7 | Newberry | |||
| Pahokee | ||||
| W8 | Pahokee | |||
![Three generations of Garcia's pose for a photo from Hillsborough (Tampa) on Sunday, July 12 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. From left to right is Hillsborough Head Coach Earl Garcia Jr., Earl "EJ" Garcia IV, and Earl Garcia III. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-2-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
![The Durant Cougars (Plant City) hold up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Flag during the photo session of the 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Football Media Day on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla. [FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://i0.wp.com/floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-High-School-Football-Media-Day-Day-1-Photo-Gallery.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
