DRIVE TO STATE: Class 5A 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 5A-1 *

The 5A-1 race is so competitive that we could ultimately see not just one or two playoff teams, but as many as three before that final tally works its way out. That depends on the rest of the region, which is highly competitive this season. Milton and Mosley are off to fantastic starts to their season as Niceville struggles early to pick up quality wins. So far, the Eagles have two quality losses but that is not necessarily a good or bad thing. Niceville will host Mosley on October 9 and Milton on October 24. Mosley gave Milton their first loss of the season in late September giving the Dolphins a clear advantage in the district race.

Games of Note:

Oct 9 - Mosley at Niceville

Oct 24 - Milton at Niceville

On The Highway: Mosley

In Traffic: Milton, Niceville

In The Parking Lot: Gulf Breeze

District 5A-2

The 5A-2 race is Lincoln’s race to lose. If there is a challenge for the title, Chiles will have plenty to say on the matter when the Timberwolves play host to the Trojans on October 10. Leon is not expected to be a factor in the race, but their rivalry with Lincoln could be a catalyst for a major surprise. An at-large bid could be very possible between Chiles and Lincoln depending on the way the region shapes out.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Lincoln at Chiles

On The Highway: Lincoln

In Traffic: Chiles

In The Parking Lot: Leon

District 5A-3 *

This district could turn out to be one of the more entertaining districts out there. From top to bottom there is not a bad quality team in the district. Beachside and Fleming Island already have district wins to start out the competition. Middleburg, which is 6-0, started district play at Orange Park September 26 with a 28-0 win. Ponte Vedra humbled Fleming Island with a 35-9 win that same week.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Fleming Island at Beachside; Ponte Vedra at Middleburg

Oct 17 - Beachside at Middleburg; Orange Park at Ponte Vedra

Oct 24 - Middleburg at Fleming Island; Beachside at Orange Park

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Beachside, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park

In The Parking Lot: None

District 5A-4 *

The reality of the matter is, this district is likely Mainland’s district to lose with only Belleview left.Matanzas can play their way in with quality non-district wins. Belleview is not expected to be a serious contender for the district crown.

Games of Note :

None

On The Highway: Mainland

In Traffic: Matanzas

In the Parking Lot: Belleview

District 5A-5

With this being a three team district, there will likely be just one game that determines the fate of this district. Barring a miracle of epic proportions, Edgewater should climb to the top of this mountain over Winter Springs. With the Lyman game out of the way, the big match will occur on October 10 at Winter Springs. Winter Springs should be competitive enough to warrant an at-large bid in the regional playoff picture.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Edgewater at Winter Springs

On The Highway: Edgewater

In Traffic: Winter Springs

In The Parking Lot: Lyman

District 5A-6

If there is a team other than that of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts coming away with this district it will be a huge shock to the universe. None of the other three teams in the district have shown the ability to warrant a conversation of getting a bid for an at-large slot, but of the three, Sebring has the best case based on scheduling.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Sebring at Lakeland

On The Highway: Lakeland

In Traffic: Sebring

In the Parking Lot: Lake Gibson, Kathleen

District 5A-7 *

District 5A-7 looks to be Gaither’s district to lose. The Cowboys made an example of Wesley Chapel with a 49-7 win onSeptember 26. If the Wesley Chapel Wildcats can find a way to put an above average win percentage, they will be in prime position for the at-large bid. Springstead could be a surprise team lurking around but it is unlikely along with Cypress Creek.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Springstead at Wesley Chapel

On The Highway: Gaither

In Traffic: Wesley Chapel

In The Parking Lot: Springstead, Cypress Creek

District 5A-8

Tampa Bay Tech is one of the best programs in the state and it should be a surprise to nobody that they are the heavy favorite to win the district and make a very deep playoff run. Spoto and East Bay have a shot for an at-large bid, if they can stay above water because the region is not a very strong one within the playoff profile.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Spoto at East Bay

On The Highway: Tampa Bay Tech

In Traffic: East Bay, Spoto

In the Parking Lot: Leto

District 5A-9 *

When it comes to 5A-9, the general logic points to the Manatee Hurricanes taking the district crown by default. This is not your average Manatee Hurricanes football team. Most likely this district is a one team and done district with regards to playoff berths. Manatee all but crushed Pinellas Park’s chances with a win in late September.

Games of Note:

None

On The Highway: Manatee

In Traffic: Pinellas Park

In The Parking Lot: Braden River

District 5A-10 *

As of now, Cape Coral seems to be the team that is better equipped for a playoff run amongst the four teams in 5A-10. The Seahawks have started the season with a 6-0 record as the rest of the district lags behind. The Seahawks took out what could have been their most viable threat to the district title, Charlotte, with a 19-6 win on September 26. Ida Baker and Mariner could make a push but that is more unlikely than likely.

Games of Note:

None

On The Highway: None

In Traffic: Cape Coral, Charlotte

In The Parking Lot: Ida Baker, Mariner

District 5A-11

Riverdale has been on a roll this season and there is no reason to believe that trend won’t continue. Far and away, the Raiders are the favorite to win the district with Fort Myers considered as a distant second. If the Green Wave have an intention to pull off the upset, look for them to make their mark in a home game against the Raiders on October 10.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Riverdale at Fort Myers

On The Highway: Riverdale

In Traffic: Charlotte

In The Parking Lot: North Fort Myers, East Lee County

District 5A-12 *

Like the other districts within the region, there seems to be a clear cut favorite lurking in the wings for the 5A-12 race and that is the Immokalee Indians who start the season with a 4-1 record. The Indians will not be alone this time on the island of relevancy. The Gulf Coast Sharks have a lot to say on the matter. Already starting the district slate with a 2-0 record by virtue of their wins over Golden Gate and Palmetto Ridge, The Sharks will have to wait until October 24 to get their hands on the Indians on their own field.

Games of Note:

Oct 24 - Immokalee at Gulf Coast

On The Highway: Immokalee

In Traffic: Gulf Coast

In The Parking Lot: Golden Gate, Palmetto Ridge

District 5A-13 *

This district race for 5A-13 should, in theory, be a very competitive race with Martin County as the presumptive favorite to win it. South Fork also should play a factor alongside Palm Bay Heritage but the Panthers already have an upper hand on South Fork. Heritage defeated South Fork on September 26 while Martin County, already with one district win, will face South Fork on the road on October 10.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Martin County at South Fork

Oct 24 - Martin County at Heritage (Palm Bay)

On The Highway: Martin County

In Traffic: Heritage (Palm Bay), South Fork

In The Parking Lot: Fort Pierce Westwood

District 5A-14

It is a given that Atlantic (Delray Beach) is the big favorite to win the 5A-14 race, but counting out Coconut Creek would be a grave mistake. Both teams are off a combined 10-1 start with 1-0 district records and look to be on a collision course for October 10 at Coconut Creek. If there is a chance for Ely to make a run, they will likely have a winning record by the time they face Coconut Creek at home on October 24.

Games of Note:

Oct 10 - Atlantic (Delray Beach) at Coconut Creek

Oct 24 - Coconut Creek at Blanche Ely

On The Highway: Atlantic (Delray Beach), Coconut Creek

In Traffic: Blanche Ely

In The Parking Lot: Deerfield Beach

District 5A-15 *

If the final results of this district are anything short of dominance by St. Thomas Aquinas, the high school football world will have plenty of questions. The Raiders are a heavy favorite to make a deep run in the playoffs and return to the state championship game. Outside of Aquinas, the McArthur Mustangs look to be a team that could factor into an at-large bid. The Mustangs, who breezed by Hollywood Hills in late September, winning the vast majority of their games should suit them well.