DRIVE TO STATE: Class 7A 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 7A-1

Here’s the reality of the situation, barring a massive upset by Sandalwood against Creekside in Week 7 on September 26, the automatic bid will come down to Creekside and Atlantic Coast two weeks later on October 10. The Creekside Knights with the home field should have the inside track to claiming the district title and comparing the schedules of the two teams gives the Knights more mileage in the gas tank for a ticket to the playoffs. Atlantic Coast survived a scare by Sandalwood in district play and that may be a telling sign.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Atlantic Coast at Creekside

On the Highway: Creekside

In Traffic: Atlantic Coast

In the Parking Lot: Sandalwood

District 7A-2

For all intents and purposes, it appears as if the Week 7 showdown on September 26 between the DeLand Bulldogs and Spruce Creek Hawks will be for the district championship and not only will it be for the district title, it will likely feature two teams coming into the game with an undefeated record. Flagler Palm Coast, since winning their opening game of the season, has struggled to find their footing since then but the Bulldogs do have the potential to play a spoiler role in the district race. If things play out the way it appears, the district has two playoff teams on the highway.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - DeLand at Spruce Creek

Oct 10 - Flagler Palm Coast at DeLand

On The Highway: DeLand, Spruce Creek

In Traffic: Flagler Palm Coast

In The Parking Lot: University (Orange City)

District 7A-3

Not only does the district house last year’s state runner-up Lake Mary, it also has undefeated Lake Brantley and Sanford Seminole The only outlier might be Hagerty, but given the state of the region itself, the reality presents itself that 7A-3 could have an inside tack towards grabbing playoff tickets for all four teams in the district itself. With regards to the lone automatic bid with the district title, the showdown between Lake Brantley and Seminole looms large despite the struggles we see between Lake Mary and Seminole in Week 5.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Lake Brantley at Seminole (Sanford); Hagerty at Lake Mary

Oct 10 - Seminole (Sanford) at Lake Mary

Oct 24 - Hagerty at Seminole (Sanford), Lake Mary at Lake Brantley

On The Highway: Lake Brantley

In Traffic: Lake Mary, Seminole (Sanford), Hagerty

In The Parking Lot: None

District 7A-4

Boone has started off 4-0 to start the season and if things work the way they should, the Braves should roll into Week 11 with an epic showdown against Edgewater with a pair of undefeated records on the line. Timber Creek losing at home to Olympia in Week 4 doesn’t bode well for the district chances to get two teams into the playoffs with Freedom (Orlando) and Winter Park having their own struggles. If the district gets two teams in the playoffs, the irony of a non-district game in Week 6 really puts the regional picture into a clear focus. Winter Park is on the outside looking in and a strong non-district schedule plays in their favor making their Week 10 showdown with Timber Creek all the more important.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Boone at Timber Creek

Oct 24 - Winter Park at Timber Creek

Oct 30 - Edgewater at Boone

On The Highway: Boone

In Traffic: Timber Creek, Winter Park

In The Parking Lot: Freedom (Orlando)

District 7A-5

If there is a narrative to the way 7A-5 has turned out, Apopka struggling the way they have is really a headliner of epic proportions. Ocoee running into Dr. Phillips and Boone in non-district play in Week 5 and 6 gives us a clear view on what we can expect from the Knights. West Orange narrowly losing to Boone wipes out any chance the district has of an undefeated team in the mix. The Blue Darters showing signs of life with a win over West Port gives us hope that the district race might have an unexpected twist. Nonetheless, the reality is that this district is a two horse race with Ocoee and West Orange getting the inside track at a playoff berth. Apopka will need to win against West Orange with West Orange winning against both West Port and Ocoee to have an outside shot at the district title.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - West Orange at Apopka

Oct 24 - West Orange at Ocoee

On The Highway: Ocoee, West Orange

In Traffic: Apopka

In The Parking Lot: West Port

District 7A-6

Where do we begin with 7A-6? For starters, the district is very likely going to be a district that gets one bid into the playoffs. All four teams in the district have shown very little in terms of standing out amongst the pack. That being said, Winter Haven has been the only team showing any signs of life. The Blue Devils started the season with back to back shutouts before getting pounded by Osceola (Kissimmee). All signs are pointing to this district being Winter Haven’s district to lose.

Games of Note :

Oct 10 - Winter Haven at George Jenkins

On The Highway: Winter Haven

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: George Jenkins, Haines City, Ridge Community

District 7A-7

Looking at the grand scheme of things, 7A-7 could be one of the more competitive districts in the state at the 7A level. Plant City, Alonso, Sumner and Strawberry Crest all off to hot starts with a combined 13-2 record. Both Alonso and Sumner have started district play with wins giving them the early edge. Plant City, who is 4-0, starts district play against Sumner on Sep 26. If Alonso and Plant City can hold the status quo of being undefeated, they will meet October 17 at Alonso.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Plant City at Sumner

Oct 10 - Strawberry Crest at Plant City

Oct 17 - Plant City at Alonso; Sumner at Strawberry Crest

Oct 24 - Alonso at Sumner

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Alonso, Plant City, Strawberry Crest, Sumner

In The Parking Lot: Newsome

District 7A-8

There is no reason to believe that Venice will be on the outside looking in at the playoffs, barring a monumental collapse of epic proportions. This begs the question of whether 7A-8 will get one or two more playoff teams. Of course this also depends on the way the 7A-7 race takes form. In the rear view mirror of Venice lies Sarasota and Riverview (Sarasota). The answer to this question will come sooner rather than later as Sarasota will visit Riverview on September 26. If there is an at-large bid that needs to be won, the game on Halloween night between Riverview Sarasota and Manatee will loom large in more ways than one. Sarasota, an overtime away from being undefeated, is already in a must win scenario against Riverview.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Sarasota at Riverview (Sarasota)

Oct 31 - Riverview (Sarasota) at Manatee

On The Highway: Venice

In Traffic: Sarasota, Riverview (Sarasota)

In The Parking Lot: Lehigh

District 7A-9

In 7A-9, the inside track goes to both Dr. Phillips and East Ridge for the automatic bid. Both should be in the running for a potential at-large bid too. This of course depends on the way the ball bounces within the other three districts in the region. The reality of the district centers on the October 10 match up with Dr. Phillips making the trek to East Ridge. It is not expected that Celebration nor Olympia are to contend for a playoff spot. For Dr. Phillips, the late season games against Edgewater and West Orange could be vital for an at-large bid, should they need it. East Ridge, based on the schedule, will likely need to win out with a 9-1 record for a playoff at-large bid.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Dr. Phillips at East Ridge

Oct 17 - Dr. Phillips at Edgewater

Oct 30 - Dr. Phillips at West Orange

On the Highway: None

In Traffic: Dr. Phillips, East Ridge

In The Parking Lot: Olympia, Celebration

District 7A-10

The Lake Nona Lions and St. Cloud Bulldogs should be the odds-on favorites to win the district title considering that they are more battle tested than the other two within the district. Since getting their doors blown off by Windermere in the opening week, Harmony is on a serious roll and looks to imprint themselves into the district title picture. If anything, Harmony will likely have to win out in district play to have any realistic shot at the playoffs. The question is whether or not they can find a way to make it a reality. The loser of the St. Cloud - Lake Nona game, could still have a competitive edge for a playoff spot but any sign of a slip up could cost them.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Lake Nona at St. Cloud

Oct 10 - Harmony at Lake Nona

Oct 24 - Harmony at St. Cloud

On The Highway: Lake Nona, St. Cloud

In Traffic: Harmony

In The Parking Lot: Tohpekaliga

District 7A-11

Vero Beach should win this district and anything short of that statement will be a shock to the entire Florida high school football ecosystem. Fort Pierce Central is legitimately the only road block for Vero Beach to stake their claim to the 7A-11 crown. On September 26, the Indians will travel to Fort Pierce for the de facto district title game. Neither Treasure Coast nor Port St. Lucie Centennial expects to be a factor in the district race.

Games of Note:

Sept 26 - Vero Beach at Fort Pierce Central

On The Highway: Vero Beach

In Traffic: Fort Pierce Central

In The Parking Lot: Treasure Coast, Port St Lucie Centennial

District 7A-12

Jupiter is a heavy favorite for the 7A-12 title but Wellington may have a few things to say about that. The Wolverines may not have scored a lot of points this season, but have been solid on the defensive side of the ball and the Jupiter game will be a tell all story for Wellington’s chances at a post-season berth. Palm Beach Lakes could also play into the scene. The Rams will likely need to win out without the district title to make the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Wellington at Palm Beach Lakes

Oct 10 - Jupiter at Wellington

On The Highway: Jupiter

In Traffic: Wellington, Palm Beach Lakes

In The Parking Lot: Palm Beach Central

District 7A-13

If there is anything that gives 7A-13 some credence, it should be a very competitive district in terms of the district title race. The chance for an at-large bid from 7A-13 will be a long shot to say the least. Forest Hill and Lake Worth already have wins in district play after Week 5 play with John I. Leonard at the bottom of the district standings. Santaluces expects to play a factor for the district title alongside Lake Worth with Forest Hill being the potential spoiler. The key game for Santaluces and Lake Worth will be held October 24 at Santaluces. If Forest Hill wants to play spoiler on Santaluces, that game will be a week earlier also at Santaluces.

Games of Note:

Oct 17 - Forest Hill at Santaluces

Oct 24 - Lake Worth at Santaluces

On the Highway: None

In Traffic: Lake Worth, Santaluces, Forest Hill

In The Parking Lot: John I. Leonard, Park Vista

District 7A-14

The 7A-14 race between four teams should come down to an October 24 match up between Boca Raton and Spanish River. Anything less, would be a big surprise. However, counting out and overlooking Coral Glades would be a big mistake by either of the top two contenders. If Coral Glades is to make the playoffs, they will need to run the table in district play. Spanish River and/or Boca Raton should play a factor for an at-large bid, if they can build their non-district resumes.

Games of Note:

Sep 26 - Coral Glades at Spanish River

Oct 9 - Boca Raton at Coral Glades

Oct 24 - Spanish River at Boca Raton

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Boca Raton, Spanish River, Coral Glades

In The Parking Lot: Stoneman Douglas

District 7A-15

The Goleman Gator are the favorite to win the district title and it should be of no surprise to anyone. The rest of the district is showing no signs of being a threat to the Gators atop the district. Western has a gauntlet of a non-district schedule and is not the same Western team from a year ago. If there is a chance Western to make a run, they must do it in district play and it began with a trip to Taravella on September 19 where they won 72-0.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Western at Goleman

On The Highway: Goleman

In Traffic: Western

In the Parking Lot: Taravella, Cypress Bay

District 7A-16

Miami Palmetto called their shot in the first game of district play against the Columbus Explorers and won 24-21. Along with Columbus, the South Dade Buccaneers should appear to be a big factor in the race for the district crown. While Columbus starts at 0-1, there is no reason to expect them to be out of it. A tough non-district schedule along with an incredibly weak region, gives the Explorers some hope to capture an at-large bid in the event of not getting a share of the district title. South Dade draws Columbus and Miami Palmetto early in district play so we should see the big picture quickly.