FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Panhandle Region Flag Football Preseason Preview: Top 10 Rankings & Analysis

The 2026 Florida flag football season is just 12 days away, and the Panhandle brings 33 teams into the new season across all four classifications plus independents with several programs poised to make noise on the state level. Led by Choctawhatchee and Pace, the region may not have the same depth as Tampa Bay or South Florida, but its top programs can compete with anyone in the state.

Choctawhatchee and Pace enter as elite programs with championship aspirations, while Chiles and Florida High provide strong support across multiple classifications. The region’s geographic spread from Pensacola to Tallahassee creates unique competitive dynamics throughout the season. Here’s a look at the top 10 teams heading into 2026, based on the Florida Power Rankings Index’s two-year historical blend.

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PANHANDLE PRESEASON TOP 10

Region Rank	Team	Class	Rating
1	Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach)	2A	75.68
2	Pace	3A	75.34
3	Chiles (Tallahassee)	3A	69.71
4	Florida High (Tallahassee)	1A	66.42
5	Navarre	3A	45.42
6	Niceville	3A	43.23
7	Lincoln (Tallahassee)	3A	34.61
8	Booker T. Washington (Pensacola)	2A	30.44
9	Fort Walton Beach	2A	29.99
10	Crestview	3A	22.81

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ANALYSIS

Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach): Enters 2026 as the Panhandle’s highest-rated program at 75.68 and one of the state’s elite Class 2A contenders after finishing last season as the State Runner-up. The Indians are legitimate state championship contenders and the clear favorite in the region.

Pace: Sits just behind at 75.34 as an elite Class 3A program. The Patriots are among the top 3A programs statewide and enter with championship expectations. The Choctawhatchee-Pace rivalry represents the highest level of flag football in the Panhandle.

Chiles (Tallahassee): The 2025 Class 3A State Runner-up provides strong representation for Class 3A at #3 with a 69.71 rating. The Timberwolves will be solid playoff contenders once again and lead the Tallahassee-area programs.

Florida High (Tallahassee): Leads the region’s Class 1A programs at #4 overall with a 66.42 rating. The Seminoles are among the top 1A programs statewide and bring championship potential to the classification.

Elite Tier: The Panhandle features an exceptional top four with Choctawhatchee, Pace, Chiles, and Florida High all rated above 66.0. This quartet represents championship-caliber programs capable of competing with the state’s best.

Class 3A Depth: Beyond Pace and Chiles, the region features Navarre (#5, 45.42), Niceville (#6, 43.23), and Lincoln (#7, 34.61) in Class 3A. This depth gives the Panhandle strong representation in the classification.

Pensacola-Fort Walton Beach Corridor: The western part of the region features strong programs including Choctawhatchee (#1), Navarre (#5), Niceville (#6), Booker T. Washington (#8), and Fort Walton Beach (#9). This concentration creates compelling local rivalries.

Tallahassee Area: Chiles (#3), Florida High (#4), and Lincoln (#7) provide the capital region with three top-10 programs, ensuring competitive flag football throughout the Tallahassee area.

The Panhandle’s strength lies at the top, where Choctawhatchee and Pace represent elite programs capable of winning state championships. While the region lacks the depth of larger areas, its top-tier talent ensures the Panhandle maintains a strong presence in statewide competition.

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SEASON TICKET CONTENT

FOR SEASON TICKET SUBSCRIBERS: View complete Panhandle Region rankings for all 33 teams