FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Tampa Bay Region Flag Football Preseason Preview: Top 25 Rankings & Analysis

The 2026 Florida flag football season is just 11 days away, and Tampa Bay once again brings the state’s deepest and most competitive field to the table. With 105 teams across all four classifications plus independents, the region is home to defending Class 2A state champion Robinson, defending Class 4A state champion Alonso, and a loaded cast of playoff contenders across all classes.

Robinson and Alonso sit atop the regional rankings as the clear favorites, but Tampa Bay’s depth is staggering. Class 4A features six teams in the top 20, led by Lennard, Steinbrenner, and Haines City. Class 2A boasts multiple contenders including Hernando, St. Petersburg, and Weeki Wachee. Class 3A brings East Lake, Land O Lakes, East Bay, and Springstead into the mix. Even Class 1A representation is strong with Tampa Catholic and Keswick Christian both cracking the top 15.

District 4A-8 alone features four ranked teams—Lennard, Newsome, Bloomingdale, and Sumner—creating what could be the most competitive district tournament in the state. Here’s a look at the top 25 teams heading into 2026, based on the Florida Power Rankings Index’s two-year historical blend.

Tampa Bay Region covers Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas & Polk counties

TAMPA BAY PRESEASON TOP 25

ANALYSIS

Robinson (Tampa): Enters 2026 as the defending Class 2A state champion and tops the Tampa Bay regional rankings at 93.82. The Knights went wire-to-wire last season and return with championship expectations once again in hopes clinching a 10th consecutive state championship and 11th overall in program history.

Alonso (Tampa): Sits second in the region with a 91.97 rating as the defending Class 4A state champion. The Ravens lead a loaded Class 4A contingent from Tampa Bay and enter 2026 as a favorite to repeat in Class 4A.

District 4A-8 Dominance: Lennard (#3), Newsome (#10), Bloomingdale (#14), and Sumner (#20) all hail from Class 4A-District 8, in what should create one of the most competitive district tournaments in the state. Lennard (75.79) enters as the favorite, but this district race could come down to the wire.

Class 2A Depth: Robinson leads a strong Class 2A group that includes Hernando (#8), St. Petersburg (#9), Weeki Wachee (#13), and several others in the top 25. District 11 features Robinson and Hillsborough, District 8 has Hernando and Nature Coast, while District 12 brings St. Petersburg and Osceola. The Class 2A depth in Tampa Bay is championship-caliber.

Class 3A Contenders: East Lake (#7) leads the Class 3A teams in the region, followed closely by Land O Lakes (#11), East Bay (#12), Springstead (#17), and Auburndale (#25). This group has the talent to make noise in the state playoffs.

Tampa Catholic (#6 regionally, 55.37 rating) and Keswick Christian (#15, 46.76 rating) lead the Class 1A teams in Tampa Bay and both enter as legitimate 1A contenders statewide.

District 4A-7 Showdown: Alonso, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest, and Palm Harbor University all reside in District 4A-7, setting up another loaded district tournament. Alonso is the overwhelming favorite, but Steinbrenner should have the firepower to pull an upset.

The region’s depth extends well beyond the top 25, with competitive programs throughout all four classifications. Tampa Bay will once again send multiple teams deep into the playoffs and remains a championship factory across the state for girls flag football.

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