DRIVE TO STATE: Class 6A 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 6A-1

At the top of the 6A-1 ladder should be a two horse race between Tate and Pace. That being said, don’t be surprised if Crestview finds a way to creep their way into the playoff picture. The big game between Tate and Pace is slated for October 10 in Cantonment. Tate will travel to Crestview on October 24 while Pace and Crestview launch the district slate on September 26.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Crestview at Pace

Oct 10 - Pace at Tate

Oct 24 - Tate at Crestview

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Pace, Tate, Crestview

In The Parking Lot: Navarre

District 6A-2

Not one, not two but three teams in 6A-2 could be viable playoff teams. There is also a distinct possibility that 6A-2 could lure in all four teams into the playoffs. Prior to the start of district play, Mandarin and Oakleaf were undefeated at 4-0 while Fletcher was 3-1 and First Coast at 2-1. The odds-on favorite should be the Mandarin Mustangs to win the district but Oakleaf may have plenty to say. Fletcher and First Coast will likely be battling for an at-large bid.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Mandarin at First Coast; Oakleaf at Fletcher

Oct 10 - Fletcher at Mandarin; First Coast at Oakleaf

Oct 24 - Oakleaf at Mandarin; Fletcher at First Coast

On The Highway: Mandarin

In Traffic: Oakleaf, First Coast, Fletcher

In The Parking Lot: None

District 6A-3

There is no doubt that 6A-3 is one of the state’s most competitive and toughest districts from top to bottom. With Bartram Trail struggling at 0-4, there is no chance the district repeats last year’s four team playoff bids, but should see three. The eyeball test says Buchholz is the favorite to get the district crown, but Nease has plenty to say. The outlier here a spoiler could be Tocoi Creek’s momentum to gain. Tocoi Creek, continuing to win their non-district slate only amplifies their playoff chances as long as they are competitive in district.

Games of Note: Sep 26 - Nease at Buchholz

Oct 10 - Buchholz at Tocoi Creek

Oct 24 - Tocoi Creek at Nease

On The Highway: Buchholz, Nease

In Traffic: Tocoi Creek

In The Parking Lot: Bartram Trail

District 6A-4

The Evans Trojans are far and away the heavy favorite to take the district crown. This leaves Lake Howell and Oviedo as likely candidates to battle for an at-large bid. The schedules they play don’t necessarily play in their favor but winning out minus Evans might push the narrative that the district gets an at-large. Under this scenario, Oviedo seems more likely to grab the at large over Lake Howell. If this is the case, the October 10 game between Lake Howell and Oviedo looms large.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Lake Howell at Evans

Oct 10 - Lake Howell at Oviedo

Oct 17 - Evans at Lake Mary

Oct 24 - Evans at Oviedo

On The Highway: Evans

In Traffic: Lake Howell, Oviedo

In The Parking Lot: Wekiva

District 6A-5

It should be Oseola’s district to lose. As long as Oseola plays the way they are capable of playing, there should be no debate on their ability to win the district title. The Melbourne Bulldogs are looking to find a way not only grab an at-large bid, but also shock the state by taking the district. Viera will likely have to win out with one or fewer district losses to have a shot at an at-large bid.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Osceola at Melbourne

On The Highway: Osceola (Kissimmee)

In Traffic: Melbourne

In The Parking Lot: Viera

District 6A-6

Signs point to the 6A-6 race being a three horse race with South Lake, Forest and Horizon being the main cast of characters fighting over the district crown. Both Forest and South Lake already have wins in district play with Horizon and Davenport getting the loses. The game that is expected to determine the district championship should come on September 26 where South Lake travels to Ocala to play Forest High. Two weeks later, the Eagles will host Horizon at home. Neither Lake Minneola or Davenport are expected to be a factor in the district race. The district runner up could have a shot at an at-large bid.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - South Lake at Forest

Oct 10 - Horizon at South Lake

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: South Lake, Forest, Horizon

In The Parking Lot: Lake Minneola, Davenport

District 6A-7

The logic of the district says Bartow and Durant will be the likely district title holders but counting out Bloomingdale might be a big mistake. It is not expected that Riverview (Riverview) will be a contender in the district race. Bartow and Durant will face off at Durant on October 24 while Bloomingdale will host Bartow on September 26. Bloomingdale travels to Durant on October 10. This district is likely to receive only one ticket into the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Bartow at Bloomingdale

Oct 10 - Bloomingdale at Durant

Oct 24 - Bartow at Durant

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Durant, Bartow, Bloomingdale

In The Parking Lot: Riverview (Riverview)

District 6A-8

If there is an obvious choice to determine the district champion in 6A-8, the game between Armwood and Plant is the feature point. That game will be held on September 26 with the Armwood Hawks playing host to the Plant Panthers. Wharton nor Sickles are expected to be a factor in the race. It is also expected that this district should get one of the at-large bids that will be allocated within the region.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Plant at Armwood

On The Highway: Armwood, Plant

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: Wharton, Sickles

District 6A-9

The 6A-9 race should be a very competitive race for the district title with Mitchell, Sunlake and Land O’Lakes looking to stamp their playoff ticket. Last year’s fan favorite, Wiregrass Ranch is not expected to contend for a spot. Mitchell will travel to Land O’Lakes on September 26 and host Sunlake on October 24. Sunlake will get their shot at Land O’Lakes at home on October 10. There is a solid chance for 6A-9 to get at least one at-large bid at the end of the year.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Mitchell at Land O’Lakes

Oct 10 - Land O’Lakes at Sunlake

Oct 24 - Sunlake at Mitchell

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Land O’Lakes, Sunlake, Mitchell

In The Parking Lot: Wiregrass Ranch

District 6A-10

One thing is for certain, the 6A-10 race could be one of the more competitive district races around. That being said, East Lake and Largo are the considered favorites to win the district crown. East Lake will have two district road games to start with Steinbrenner and Palm Harbor University before landing with Largo in late October. Largo follows a similar path but the game against Steinbrenner will be a home game. In theory, this district expects maybe one extra playoff spot depending on the way the rest of the region plays out.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Largo at Palm Harbor University; East Lake at Steinbrenner

Oct 10 - Steinbrenner at Largo; East Lake at Palm Harbor University

Oct 24 - Largo at East Lake; Steinbrenner at Palm Harbor University

On The Highway : None

In Traffic : Largo, Steinbrenner, Palm Harbor University, East Lake

In The Parking Lot: None

District 6A-11

If there’s one thing that we can say, the Lennard Longhorns to date have had a fairly good start to the season. They even have a leg up on the rest of the district alongside Palmetto with a win in district play. The district will more than likely be a three way race to the end with Lennard, Palmetto and Parrish Community. The reality of the matter is, Lakewood Ranch and Gateway are not expected to be factors in the race.

Games of Note:

Oct 17 - Lennard at Parrish Community

Oct 24 - Palmetto at Lennard

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Parrish Community, Palmetto, Lennard

In the Parking Lot: Gateway (Fort Myers), Lakewood Ranch

District 6A-12

West Boca Raton, the defending 6A state champion, is expected to make a repeat performance on the district slate as they work towards defending that state title. If there is a chance for the district to pick up an at-large bid, look for Royal Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens to make a run at the prize. West Boca and Royal both already have a leg up on the district with wins over Seminole RIdge and Dwyer.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - West Boca Raton at Royal Palm Beach

Oct 17 - Palm Beach Gardens at Royal Palm Beach

On The Highway: West Boca Raton

In Traffic: Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens

On The Parking Lot: Seminole Ridge, Dwyer

District 6A-13

Monarch is considered the favorite in 6A-13, and they already have a district win including a 54-0 win over Fort Lauderdale. The chance of this district getting an at-large bid is not very likely. Piper and Coral Springs are not expected to be a factor in the district race.

Games of Note:

None

On The Highway: Monarch

In Traffic: Fort Lauderdale

In The Parking Lot: Piper, Coral Springs

District 6A-14

This race could be a very competitive three team race to the end. South Broward, South Plantation and Cooper City look to be the main cast of characters in this district race. South Broward already has a win over Cooper City and South Plantation has a win over Nova to start the district slate. South Broward hosts South Plantation in Hollywood on October 10. South Plantation and Cooper City do battle on October 17.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - South Plantation at South Broward

Oct 17 - Cooper CIty at South Plantation

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Cooper City, South Broward, South Plantation

In The Parking Lot: Nova

District 6A-15

Flanagan deserves a lot of credit for their 3-0 start, but they will have a lot to deal with in district play when it comes time. Along with Flanagan, West Broward is expected to make a push for either a district title or an at-large bid. Dr. Krop, who already has a win over Miami Beach, could have a chance if they can stage an upset over West Broward or Flanagan. Miami Beach is not expected to make any impact in the way the race shapes up.

Games of Note:

Oct 9 - Flanagan at Dr. Krop

Oct 23 - Dr. Krop at West Broward

On The Highway: West Broward

In Traffic: Dr. Krop, Flanagan

In The Parking Lot: Miami Beach

District 6A-16

The bottom line for 6A-16 is that it is a district that should see Miami Southridge come out on top but Homestead will have plenty to say on that matter when the two schools meet in Miami on September 26. The Broncos have a challenging non-district slate, so an at-large bid certainly could be in the works for them. Doral Academy and Southwest Miami are not expected to be a big factor in the district race.