DRIVE TO STATE: Class 4A playoff road map heading in to Week 7

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. The star next to each district indicates an updated look at the district race.

District 4A-1

With 4A-1 being a three team district, the playoff picture should be cut and dry with Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) being the big favorite to grab the district title. Pine Forest will travel to face the Wildcats in what should be the district championship on the line on October 10. Escambia, which started 0-4, stunned Pensacola Booker T. Washington with a 22-3 win on September 26. The win propelled Escambia right into the mix of the race with only the October 24 game left to make a move into the playoffs.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Pine Forest at Booker T. Washington (Pensacola)

Oct 24 - Escambia at Pine Forest

On The Highway: Booker T. Washington (Pensacola)

In Traffic: Pine Forest, Escambia

In The Parking Lot: None

District 4A-2

The big favorite to nobody’s surprise in 4A-2 should be Choctawhatchee. With a 6-0 record and every other team struggling out of the gate to find their rhythm, the Indians have a chance to improve drastically over last season. The only other realistically showing a pulse is that of the Rickards Raiders. The Raiders are 2-4 but have shown that they have been competitive in the games that they have played. Rickards should be the only team that has a legitimate shot at Choctawhatchee’s strangle hold on the district and they already have a win over Fort Walton Beach.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Rickards at Choctawhatchee

On the Highway: Choctawhatchee

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: Arnold, Rickards, Fort Walton Beach

District 4A-3 *

Saint Augustine defeated Columbia in convincing fashion in late September to take control of what was the presumptive district championship game. Both teams are expected to make the playoffs with Columbia eyeing the at-large bid. Clay and Ridgeview are not expected to make an impact on the 4A-3 race.

Games of Note:

None

On The Highway: Saint Augustine, Columbia (Lake City)

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: Ridgeview, Clay

District 4A-4 *

Ed White should be the big favorite in this district. With their district foes teams sitting at a combined 1-10, Ed White could be in for a big season. Getting a solid playoff run will be the only question mark we have out of the Commanders.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Ed White at Riverside

On The Highway: Ed White

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: Englewood, Riverside

District 4A-5 *

The 4A-5 race should be one that Vanguard can navigate but there are some roadblocks up ahead for the Knights, who are just three points shy of having an undefeated record. Vanguard defeated Lecanto 20-3 on September 26 in what should be the deciding factor in the district championship picture. The Panthers should play their way into the playoffs with an at-large bid providing they continue on their winning ways.

Games of Note:

Oct 31 - Madison County at Lecanto

On The Highway: Vanguard

In Traffic: Lecanto

In The Parking Lot: Gainesville, Leesburg

District 4A-6 *

Navigating the choppy waters of 4A-6 could be a rough venture but there is a key outlook that can be pieced together here. Rockledge is playing a very tough schedule when it comes to regional powers and it should pay off for them in district play. The Raiders already have a 2-0 district record and defeated Deltona 42-0 on September 26. Deltona has all four of their district opponents in consecutive weeks, which could play into their favor. New Smyrna Beach, another top contender, has the toughest part of their district schedule in back to back weeks with Deltona and Rockledge in mid to late October.

Games of Note: Oct 17 - Deltona at New Smyrna Beach

Oct 24 - New Smyrna Beach at Rockledge

On The Highway: Rockledge In Traffic: Deltona, New Smyrna Beach

In The Parking Lot: Pine Ridge, Seabreeze

District 4A-7 *

Before the season started, there was plenty of reason to believe that the Jones Tigers would be the overwhelming favorite to win the district. That still could be the case in the district, but the Lake Wales Highlanders might just have a say in the matter. Auburndale also looks to be a team that wants a piece of the pie and they do hold a win over Lake Wales in district play. Jones made some serious work of Auburndale with a 37-3 win on September 26.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Jones at Lake Wales

On The Highway: Jones

In Traffic: Lake Wales, Auburndale

In The Parking Lot: Lake Region

District 4A-8

Zephyrhills should be the odd-on favorite to win the 4A-8 crown. With a 4-0 record, the Bulldogs are coasting through their non-district slate. Fivay, Freedom and Pasco are all struggling to find their footing before the district race commences. Of the three teams that are lurking in the distance, Fivay may have the best chance to compete with Zephyrhills in district play.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Zephyrhills at Fivay

On The Highway: Zephyrhills

In Traffic: Fivay, Freedom (Tampa)

In The Parking Lot: Pasco

District 4A-9

The 4A-9 race is Tampa Jesuit’s race to lose. In reality, there is very little to no separation between the teams looking to chase Jesuit for the district title. Of the four teams that are looking to separate themselves, Blake and Hillsborough are the most likely to make the move towards the top of the pack. Like Jesuit, Hillsborough has a pair of wins in district play before we get into the meat and potatoes of the schedule.

Games of Note:

Oct 17 - Blake at Hillsborough

Oct 24 - Hillsborough at Tampa Jesuit

Oct 31 - Tampa Catholic at Tampa Jesuit

On The Highway: Tampa Jesuit

In Traffic: Hillsborough, Blake

In The Parking Lot: Brandon, Middleton

District 4A-10 *

With a 6-0 record, River Ridge continues the district schedule as a heavy favorite but they will have some competition. Clearwater, Countryside and Gulf will all be looking to make a case for the district title. This race looks very much like it will be a four team race to the finish line. Of the four teams, Clearwater might have the edge based on strength of schedule, but head to head in district is what matters here.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Clearwater at River Ridge; Gulf at Countryside

Oct 24 - Countryside at Clearwater; River Ridge at Gulf

On The Highway: River Ridge

In Traffic: Clearwater, Countryside, Gulf

In The Parking Lot: None

District 4A-11 *

The more you look at the resumes of the four teams in district 4A-11, the more you will realize that there are exciting reasons to believe the Southeast Seminoles could be the odd-on favorite to take the district crown. It won’t be without its challenges. Osceola (Seminole) and St. Petersburg both are expected to challenge Southeast at the top. Southeast defeated St. Petersburg on September 26, while Osceola gets their shot at the Seminoles on October 10.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Southeast at Osceola

Oct 24 - St. Petersburg at Osceola

On The Highway: Southeast

In Traffic: Osceola, St. Petersburg

In The Parking Lot: Northeast

District 4A-12 *

The race in 4A-12 will be a lot of fun to watch and if the early season record between all four teams give you any indication of what we are in for, this will be down to the wire for the district title. In terms of strength of schedule, Port Charlotte has a big advantage over the other three in the district. Dunbar is the only undefeated team of the four and the other three teams only have a single loss heading into Week 6.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Port Charlotte at Dunbar; South Fort Myers at Naples

Oct 24 - South Fort Myers at Dunbar; Naples at Port Charlotte

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Dunbar, Naples, Port Charlotte, South Fort Myers

In The Parking Lot: None

District 4A-13 *

Both Jensen Beach and John Carroll are off to terrific starts to begin the season. With wins over Okeechobee and Port St. Lucie, John Carroll currently has a share of the district lead with undefeated Jensen Beach. The two will meet on October 10 at Jensen Beach and all indications are that it is likely for the district title. Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie and Sebastian River are all struggling to find the win column and the lay of the land suggests that is not going to change.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - John Carroll at Jensen Beach

On The Highway: John Carroll, Jensen Beach

In Traffic: None

In The Parking Lot: Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Sebastian River

District 4A-14 *

Dillard and Dr. Joaquin Garcia are both doing pretty much what was expected out of them to start the season. Dillard should be the favorite to win the district over Dr. Garcia, but Boynton Beach might have some things to say about the way the race shapes up. The Panthers will travel to Dr. Garcia on October 10 for what could be the district championship. Sun coast and Northeast don’t expect to be a factor in the 4A-14 race which should have at least one at-large bid.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Dillard at Dr. Joaquin Garcia

Oct 24 - Boynton Beach at Dillard

On The Highway: Dillard, Dr. Joaquin Garcia

In Traffic: Boynton Beach

In The Parking Lot: Northeast, Suncoast

District 4A-15 *

Full disclosure, this district should be American Heritage’s district to win. Anything less will force a major earthquake amongst the Florida HS Football world. That being said, there is a real chance this district can get one or maybe two at-large bids with Miami Norland and Archbishop McCarthy both having standout seasons. Plantation has a quality team but it will not be enough for the Colonels to compete for a playoff spot. McCarthy made a statement by defeating Miami Norland in late September.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Miami Norland at American Heritage (Plantation)

Oct 17 - American Heritage (Plantation) at Archbishop McCarthy

On The Highway: American Heritage (Plantation), Archbishop McCarthy

In Traffic: Miami Norland

In The Parking Lot: Plantation

District 4A-16

There is the good, the bad and the ugly. It is all rolled into one into the 4A-16 race. Hialeah is the favorite to win the district but look for American to make a push towards the Thoroughbreds to get the district crown. That match up is scheduled for October 9 in Hialeah. South Miami and Belen Jesuit are a combined 0-7 and are not expected to make a run at the playoffs. This district is most likely a one and done playoff ticket.