DRIVE TO STATE: Class 1A playoff road map heading into Week 6

The halfway point of the regular season is here and it is that time where teams start to jockey their way into prime playoff position with either a district title or an at-large bid on the line. The Drive To State is well underway so we will provide a road map, going district by district showing you the ins and outs of who we think has the inside track to a playoff berth.

District 1A-1

Maclay is 4-0 and is considered as the favorite to win this three team district. North Florida Christian is the one team that could provide a pulse to Maclay’s chances to take the district with that game being held on October 17 at North Florida Christian.

Games of Note:

Oct 17 - Maclay at North Florida Christian

On The Highway: Maclay

In Traffic: North Florida Christian

In The Parking Lot: FAMU DRS

District 1A-2

Episcopal has the inside track to win the district if they can maintain their winning ways. Starting off the season with a 4-1 record, they already have a district win alongside Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) to begin district play. The most likely scenario places Episcopal and Trinity Christian at the top of the district with one of the at-large bids going to the loser of the match between the two. The battle between the Eagles and Conquerors will take place on October 10 at Episcopal. North Florida Educational might be a factor but they already have a loss against Trinity Christian, which makes the climb that much more challenging.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Trinity Christian at Episcopal

On The Highway: Episcopal, Trinity Christian

In Traffic: North Florida Educational

In The Parking Lot: KIPP Bold City

District 1A-3

This three team district is University Christian’s district to win. They already have a win in district play over the one team in the district that has a chance at catching them in the standings, Impact Christian. Impact Christian will need to win against Providence to ensure their chances at an at-large bid within the district. Impact Christian faces Providence on October 3 at Providence School.

Games of Note:

Oct 3 - Impact Christian at Providence

On The Highway: University Christian

In Traffic: Impact Christian

In The Parking Lot: Providence

District 1A-4

This is a two team district which means there is only one game that matters. P.K. Yonge will travel to Trinity Catholic on October 24.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - P.K. Yonge at Trinity Catholic

On The Highway: Trinity Catholic

In Traffic: P.K. Yonge

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-5

This is a two team district. That means there is only one game on the schedule that matters if these two want to get in without an at-large bid. What is your favorite one-hit wonder? The District 1A-5 Championship will be played when Father Lopez makes the trip to Crescent City on September 26.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Father Lopez at Crescent City

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Crescent City, Father Lopez

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-6

This is a two team district. Orlando Christian and Melbourne Central Catholic will battle on October 17 at Melbourne Central Catholic. It takes two to tango. That’s what these two teams will do to make the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Oct 17 - Orlando Christian Prep at Melbourne Central Catholic

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Orlando Christian Prep, Melbourne Central Catholic

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-7

The 1A-7 race should be one of the better races in the state, Carrollwood Day, Lakeland Christian and Victory Christian. The three schools after week 5 combined for an 11-2 overall record. Carrollwood Day will travel to Lakeland Christian on September 26 and then Lakeland Christian is slated to host Victory Christian on October 24. Carrollwood Day will travel to Victory Christian on October 10. There is a chance all three teams can make the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Carrollwood Day at Lakeland Christian

Oct 10 - Carrollwood Day at Victory Christian

Oct 24 - Victory Christian at Lakeland Christian

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Carrollwood Day, Lakeland Chrstian, Victory Christian

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-8

Clearwater Central Catholic should be the odds-on favorite to repeat as the district champion in 2025. This three team district includes Zephyrhills Christian and Indian Rocks Christian. The Marauders will face off against Indian Rocks Christian in what should be the presumptive district championship game at home on September 26.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Indians Rocks Christian at Clearwater Central Catholic

On The Highway: Clearwater Central Catholic

In Traffic: Indian Rocks Christian

In The Parking Lot: Zephyrhills Christian

District 1A-9

This is a two team district. The district championship game will be held on October 10 when St. Petersburg Catholic travels to Northside Christian. There is a chance that both teams will be undefeated by the time they meet. It is highly likely both teams will make the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - St. Petersburg Catholic at Northside Christian

On The Highway: St. Petersburg Catholic, Northside Christian

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-10

This is a two team district. This is basically Southwest Florida Christian’s district to win. Starting off with a 4-0 record, the Kings will travel to Evangelical Christian on October 24 for the district championship.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Southwest Florida Christian at Evangelical Christian

On The Highway: Southwest Florida Christian

In Traffic: Evangelical Christian

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-11

This three team district should come down to St. John Neumann and Community School Naples as First Baptist will likely not be a factor in the race. Neumann and Community School will lock horns in Naples for the de facto district championship game on September 26. Both teams are expected to make the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - St. John Neumann at Community School Naples

On the Highway: St. John Neumann, Community School Naples

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: First Baptist (Naples)

District 1A-12

Cardinal Newman has won the district championship.

Benjamin will likely miss the playoffs and not receive an at-large bid.

District 1A-13

The race in 1A-13 is well underway with Saint Andrew’s leading the district with a 1-0 record. The Scots host Somerset Prep on September 25, which will be Somerset Prep’s final district game of the season. St. John Paull II’s final district game will be October 23.

Games of Note:

Sep 25 - Somerset Prep at Saint Andrew’s

Oct 23 - St John Paul II at Somerset Academy Key

On The Highway: Saint Andrew’s

In Traffic: St. John Paul II

In the Parking Lot: Somerset Prep, Somerset Academy

District 1A-14

Chaminade-Madonna is the 1A-14 District Champion.

Miami Edison can still make the playoffs with an at-large bid.

District 1A-15

The 1A-15 race will be a three team race to the finish line as all three teams combine for an impressive 10-2-1 record. True North gets Archbishop Carroll on the road on September 26 and will not play Westminster on the road again until October 30. Archbishop Carroll will face up with Westminster Christian on October 3.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - True North at Archbishop Carroll

Oct 3 - Archbishop Carroll at Westminster Academy

Oct 30 - True North at Archbishop Carroll

On The Highway: Archbishop Carroll, Westminster CHristian

In Traffic: True North

In The Parking Lot: None

District 1A-16

This is a two team district. Palmer Trinity will likely take the district championship but they have a date with Somerset South Homestead on October 3 for that very title.