District projections for Class 7A – Region III for the 2015 season.
District 7A-9
1. Tampa Bay Tech
2. Lennard
3. Bloomingdale
4. Plant City
5. East Bay
6. Durant
7. Strawberry Crest
Comment: The district of death has shifted in the Tampa Bay-area with District 7A-9 becoming a hotly contested district. Tampa Bay Tech looks to be an experienced team in reaching the playoffs and looks like they could win the district. However, Lennard and Bloomingdale will be certain challengers with Tampa Bay Tech in the race for the two playoff spots and a district tiebreaker would not be surprising. Plant City also could be in the mix for the runner-up spot as well as East Bay, but the must play at their best. Durant and Strawberry Crest projected to round out the back end of the district.
District 7A-10
1. East Lake
2. Countryside
3. St. Petersburg
4. Pinellas Park
5. Seminiole (Seminole)
Comment: Given the experience that East Lake has gained over the last few years we see the Eagles maintaining the top spot in the district, but Countryside and St. Petersburg should be instant challengers for playoff spots. Pinellas Park could be a playoff contender, but again as looking at the district overall, the district is very much a top-heavy district. Overall, don’t be surprised if a district tiebreaker is necessary here as well to settle out one or both playoffs spots.
District 7A-11
1. Braden River
2. Venice
3. Palmetto
4. Lakewood Ranch
5. Sarasota
6. North Port
Comment: The top three teams in the district are by far Braden River, Venice and Palmetto. Braden River brings back most of the team after their most successful season in school history last year and could easily contend for another district title once again. Venice will also be in the mix for the district title, but some concerns of youth could hold the Indians back. Palmetto will need Jack Alison to be sharper on the field during game situations in order to get a playoff spot this season. Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota and North Port will have to find a way to upset one of the top three teams to create havoc in the district.
District 7A-12
1. South Fort Myers
2. Riverdale
3. Gulf Coast
Comment: By far, South Fort Myers is the clear-cut team to be able to win the district championship in this small three-team district. Riverdale has been an improving team and could likely defeat a weaker Gulf Coast team for the runner-up spot.
Projected Regional Quarterfinal Matchups (Round 1)
Countryside (R10) vs. Tampa Bay Tech (W9)
Lennard (R9) vs. East Lake (W10)
Riverdale (R12) vs. Braden River (W11)
Venice (R11) vs. South Fort Myers (W12)
Projected Regional Semifinal Matchups (Round 2)
East Lake vs. Tampa Bay Tech
South Fort Myers vs. Braden River
Projected Regional Final Matchup (Round 3)
Braden River vs. East Lake
State Semifinalist
East Lake
