FLAG FOOTBALL: First Coast area districts set to make some noise in district tournaments

Flag Football District Tournaments are this week and we are taking a look at each district in every region of the state giving you the times, matchups, quick insight about the district and a prediction on who will emerge as the district champion and advance to the FHSAA regional playoffs. The Road To Boca Raton starts here!

DISTRICT 2A-1

at Atlantic Coast

Tournament Dates
Semifinals – Tuesday
Championship – Tuesday, 8

Seeding
Subdistrict 1
#1 Sandalwood
#2 Robert E. Lee

Subdistrict 2
#1 Fleming Island
#2 Oakleaf

Semifinal Matchups
#1 Fleming Island vs. #2 Robert E. Lee, 5
#1 Sandalwood vs. #2 Oakleaf, 6:30

Quick Hit: This district is pretty much a total toss-up in terms of who could come out of it as it has been wide open pretty much all season long. While Fleming Island has won this district the past two years, there is a question that they could be behind the pack coming in the tournament. Sandalwood has shown some flashes this year and could be a potential favorite to win it all, but Robert E. Lee and Oakleaf are looking to play the role of the spoiler in the tournament.

Projected District Champion: Sandalwood

DISTRICT 1A-3

at Terry Parker

Tournament Dates
Semifinals – Thursday
Championship – Thursday, 7:30

Seeding
#1 Stanton
#2 Terry Parker
#3 Englewood
#4 Andrew Jackson

Semifinal Matchups
#1 Stanton vs. #4 Andrew Jackson, 4:30
#2 Terry Parker vs. #3 Englewood, 6

Quick Hit: Two teams really stand out here in this district… that would be Stanton and Terry Parker. Terry Parker is the defending district champion and their only loss on the year was to Stanton during the meeting in district play in the regular season. The question here is: Can Stanton make it two wins over Terry Parker in the same season? That could be very much possible. Englewood looks to play the role of the spoiler while Andrew Jackson may not be much of a factor.

Predicted District Champion: Stanton

DISTRICT 1A-4

at Baldwin

Tournament Dates
Semifinals – Tuesday
Championship – Wednesday, 7

Seeding
#1 Clay
#2 Baldwin
#3 Orange Park
#4 Westside

Semifinal Matchups
#1 Clay vs. #4 Westside, 6
#2 Baldwin vs. #3 Orange Park, 7:30

Quick Hit: Three really good teams are featured in this district tournament with state-ranked Clay leading the pack. However, Baldwin has shown some flash this year and beat Orange Park during the regular season to everyone’s surprise which put a lot of teams on notice. The question is can Baldwin or Orange Park find a way to stop an undefeated Clay team? That could be the toughest challenge here. However, whoever emerges from this district could see some tough competition from the Big Bend or Panhandle region in the regional finals, if they make it that far.

Predicted District Champion: Clay

DISTRICT 1A-5

at Citrus

Tournament Dates
Semifinals – Tuesday
Championship – Tuesday, 8:30

Seeding
Subdistrict 1
#1 Vanguard
#2 Keystone Heights

Subdistrict 2
#1 Lecanto
#2 Belleview

Semifinal Matchups
#1 Lecanto vs. #2 Keystone Heights, 5:30
#1 Vanguard vs. #2 Belleview, 7

Quick Hit: This district is pretty much a toss-up as Keystone won this district in 2016 while Crystal River won it last year. Each of the teams come in on equal footing into the tournament, but if there is one team that might be more prepared for this tournament, it is going to be #2 Belleview out of Subdistrict 2. However, don’t count anyone in the district winning it outright. Each team has a solid chance, but we feel the outside-the-area experience will come to help in Belleview’s favor.

Predicted District Champion: Belleview