The post Projecting the 2026 & 2027 FHSAA football classifications and districts appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

Also, we will have a special edition of The Blitz — Drive To State Edition starting tomorrow at 11 AM ET/10 AM CT LIVE on our YouTube Channel, bringing you analysis before, during, and after the brackets are revealed (we will bring the FHSAA bracket reveal directly to you, no need to change channels) with special guests from across the state! Click here to set a reminder and watch LIVE!

* – District Champions host in the first round if they are a lower seed and paired up with an at-large team.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated to add records for Rural teams.

CLASS 7A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

7A-1: Creekside (4-6)

7A-2: DeLand (10-0)

7A-3: Lake Mary (7-3)

7A-4: Boone (9-1)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Hagerty (6-4)

Lake Mary (7-3)

Spruce Creek (8-2)

Seminole (Sanford) (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Lake Brantley (6-4)

Atlantic Coast (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Creekside vs. No. 1 DeLand

No. 5 Winter Park vs. No. 4 Lake Mary

No. 6 Seminole (Sanford) vs. No. 3 Spruce Creek

No. 7 Hagerty vs. No. 2 Boone

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

7A-5: West Orange (9-1)

7A-6: Ridge Community (5-5)

7A-7: Sumner (8-2)

7A-8: Venice (6-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Alonso (6-4)

Ocoee (5-5)

Plant City (7-3)

Riverview (Sarasota) (8-1-1)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Strawberry Crest (6-4)

Winter Haven (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Ridge Community vs. No. 1 Venice

No. 5 Plant City vs. No. 4 Sumner

No. 6 Ocoee vs. No. 3 West Orange

No. 7 Alonso vs. No. 2 Riverview (Sarasota)

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

7A-9: Dr. Phillips (7-3)

7A-10: St. Cloud (8-2)

7A-11: Vero Beach (10-0)

7A-12: Jupiter (10-0)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Fort Pierce Central (9-1)

Lake Nona (7-3)

Palm Beach Central (6-4)

Palm Beach Lakes (6-4)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

East Ridge (6-4)

Centennial (5-4)

Harmony (5-5)

Tohopekaliga (5-5)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Palm Beach Lakes vs. No. 1 Vero Beach

No. 5 Palm Beach Central vs. No. 4 Dr. Phillips

No. 3 Fort Pierce Central vs. No. 6 St. Cloud*

No. 7 Lake Nona vs. No. 2 Jupiter

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

7A-13: Santaluces (6-3)

7A-14: Spanish River (6-4)

7A-15: Western (4-6)

7A-16: Miami Palmetto (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Columbus (3-7)

Coral Glades (6-4)

Goleman (6-4)

South Dade (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Cypress Bay (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Coral Glades vs. No. 1 Miami Palmetto

No. 5 South Dade vs. No. 4 Santaluces

No. 6 Columbus vs. No. 3 Goleman

No. 7 Western vs. No. 2 Spanish River

CLASS 6A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

6A-1: Pace (9-1)

6A-2: Mandarin (9-1)

6A-3: Buchholz (9-1)

6A-4: Oviedo (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Crestview (6-3)

Evans (8-2)

Nease (8-2)

Oakleaf (8-2)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

First Coast (5-5)

Fletcher (6-4)

Tate (7-3)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Crestview vs. No. 1 Buchholz

No. 5 Evans vs. No. 4 Nease

No. 6 Oakleaf vs. No. 3 Pace

No. 7 Oviedo vs. No. 2 Mandarin

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

6A-5: Osceola (Kissimmee) (6-4)

6A-6: South Lake (9-1)

6A-7: Durant (5-5)

6A-8: Armwood (10-0)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Melbourne (6-4)

Plant (5-5)

Riverview (Riverview) (6-4)

Viera (6-4)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Forest (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Melbourne vs. No. 1 Armwood

No. 5 Riverview (Riverview) vs. No. 4 Viera

No. 6 Durant vs. No. 3 Osceola

No. 7 Plant vs. No. 2 South Lake

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

6A-9: Mitchell (8-2)

6A-10: East Lake (7-2)

6A-11: Palmetto (9-1)

6A-12: West Boca Raton (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Largo (6-4)

Lennard (8-2)

Parrish Community (9-1)

Wiregrass Ranch (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Land O’ Lakes (5-5)

Palm Harbor University (6-4)

Royal Palm Beach (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Wiregrass Ranch vs. No. 1 West Boca Raton

No. 5 Mitchell vs. No. 4 Parrish Community

No. 6 Lennard vs. No. 3 East Lake

No. 7 Largo vs. No. 2 Palmetto

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

6A-13: Monarch (6-4)

6A-14: South Plantation (6-4)

6A-15: West Broward (8-2)

6A-16: Miami Southridge (9-1)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Doral Academy (5-4)

Flanagan (7-3)

Piper (6-4)

South Broward (3-7)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

None

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 South Broward vs. No. 1 Miami Southridge

No. 5 Doral Academy vs. No. 4 Monarch

No. 6 Piper vs. No. 3 Flanagan

No. 7 South Plantation vs. No. 2 West Broward

CLASS 5A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

5A-1: Mosley (9-1)

5A-2: Lincoln (6-4)

5A-3: Beachside (7-3)

5A-4: Mainland (7-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Middleburg (8-2)

Milton (7-3)

Niceville (6-4)

Ponte Vedra (8-2)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Chiles (6-4)

Fleming Island (6-4)

Matanzas (7-3)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 1 Ponte Vedra vs. No. 8 Lincoln*

No. 5 Milton vs. No. 4 Beachside

No. 6 Middleburg vs. No. 3 Mosley

No. 7 Niceville vs. No. 2 Mainland

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

5A-5: Edgewater (10-0)

5A-6: Lakeland (8-2)

5A-7: Gaither (9-1)

5A-8: Tampa Bay Tech (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Lake Gibson (5-5)

Sebring (5-5)

Wesley Chapel (6-4)

Winter Springs (6-4)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

East Bay (5-5)

Spoto (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Wesley Chapel vs. No. 1 Edgewater

No. 5 Sebring vs. No. 4 Tampa Bay Tech

No. 6 Lake Gibson vs. No. 3 Gaither

No. 7 Winter Springs vs. No. 2 Lakeland

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

5A-9: Manatee (4-6)

5A-10: Cape Coral (9-1)

5A-11: Riverdale (9-1)

5A-12: Immokalee (7-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Charlotte (6-4)

Gulf Coast (5-5)

North Fort Myers (4-6)

Pinellas Park (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Braden River (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 North Fort Myers vs. No. 1 Riverdale

No. 5 Pinellas Park vs. No. 4 Immokalee

No. 6 Gulf Coast vs. No. 3 Manatee

No. 7 Charlotte vs. No. 2 Cape Coral

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

5A-13: Martin County (8-2)

5A-14: Atlantic (Delray Beach) (9-1)

5A-15: St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1)

5A-16: Mater Academy (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Coconut Creek (8-2)

McArthur (8-2)

Miramar (4-6)

North Miami (7-3)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Fort Pierce Westwood (5-5)

Heritage (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Miramar vs. No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas

No. 4 McArthur vs. No. 5 Mater Academy*

No. 3 Coconut Creek vs. No. 6 Martin County*

No. 7 North Miami vs. No. 2 Atlantic (Delray Beach)

CLASS 4A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

4A-1: Pine Forest (3-6)

4A-2: Choctawhatchee (9-1)

4A-3: St. Augustine (9-1)

4A-4: Ed White (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) (5-4)

Columbia (8-2)

Escambia (3-7)

Rickards (3-7)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

None

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Escambia vs. No. 1 St. Augustine

No. 5 Pine Forest vs. No. 4 Ed White

No. 6 Rickards vs. No. 2 Choctawhatchee

No. 7 Booker T. Washington (Pensacola) vs. No. 2 Choctawhatchee

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

4A-5: Vanguard (8-2)

4A-6: New Smyrna Beach (8-2)

4A-7: Jones (8-2)

4A-8: Zephyrhills (10-0)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Auburndale (8-2)

Lake Wales (8-2)

Lecanto (6-4)

Rockledge (3-7)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Deltona (5-5)

Lake Region (5-5)

Leesburg (5-5)

Seabreeze (5-5)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Lecanto vs. No. 1 Jones

No. 5 Auburndale vs. No. 4 Vanguard

No. 3 Lake Wales vs. No. 6 New Smyrna Beach*

No. 7 Rockledge vs. No. 2 Zephyrhills

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

4A-9: Jesuit (9-1)

4A-10: Clearwater (7-3)

4A-11: Osceola (Seminole) (7-3)

4A-12: Port Charlotte (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Blake (7-3)

Dunbar (7-3)

Naples (6-3-1)

South Fort Myers (7-3)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

River Ridge (7-3)

Southeast (8-2)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Osceola (Seminole) vs. No. 1 Jesuit

No. 5 South Fort Myers vs. No. 4 Naples

No. 6 Blake vs. No. 3 Clearwater

No. 7 Dunbar vs. No. 2 Port Charlotte

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

4A-13: Jensen Beach (8-2)

4A-14: Dillard (10-0)

4A-15: Archbishop McCarthy (8-2)

4A-16: Hialeah (7-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

American Heritage (Plantation) (4-5)

John Carroll (8-2)

Miami Norland (5-5)

Plantation (6-4)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Dr. Joaquin Garcia (7-3)

Boynton Beach (5-5)

Southeast (8-2)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Hialeah vs. No. 1 Archbishop McCarthy

No. 4 Miami Norland vs. No. 5 Jensen Beach*

No. 6 John Carroll vs. No. 3 Dillard

No. 7 Plantation vs. No. 2 American Heritage (Plantation)

CLASS 3A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

3A-1: Bay (9-1)

3A-2: Wakulla (6-4)

3A-3: Raines (9-0)

3A-4: Bishop Kenny (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Baker County (4-6)

Godby (4-6)

West Florida (6-4)

Yulee (8-2)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Menendez (3-7)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Baker County vs. No. 1 Raines

No. 5 West Florida vs. No. 4 Yulee

No. 6 Wakulla vs. No. 3 Bishop Kenny

No. 7 Godby vs. No. 2 Bay

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

3A-5: Eastside (8-2)

3A-6: Bishop Moore (9-1)

3A-7: Hernando (7-3)

3A-8: Eau Gallie (7-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Merritt Island (6-4)

South Sumter (6-4)

Tavares (6-4)

Titusville (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Dunnellon (4-6)

Weeki Wachee (7-3)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Hernando vs. No. 1 Bishop Moore

No. 5 South Sumter vs. No. 4 Merritt Island

No. 6 Titusville vs. No. 3 Eastside

No. 7 Tavares vs. No. 2 Eau Gallie

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

3A-9: Nature Coast (8-2)

3A-10: Jefferson (9-1)

3A-11: Booker (9-1)

3A-12 Mulberry (4-6)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Bayshore (4-6)

Boca Ciega (4-6)

Chamberlain (7-3)

Gibbs (4-6)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Dunedin (4-6)

Hudson (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Mulberry vs. No. 1 Booker

No. 5 Boca Ciega vs. No. 4 Chamberlain

No. 6 Bayshore vs. No. 3 Nature Coast

No. 7 Gibbs vs. No. 2 Jefferson

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

3A-13: Cypress Lake (7-3)

3A-14: Lely (7-3)

3A-15: Miami Central (8-1)

3A-16: Miami Northwestern (8-1)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Estero (7-3)

Key West (6-4)

Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines) (4-6)

St. Brendan (4-6)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Barron Collier (4-6)

Lemon Bay (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines) vs. No. 1 Miami Northwestern

No. 4 Key West vs. No. 5 Cypress Lake*

No. 6 Estero vs. No. 3 Lely

No. 7 St. Brendan vs. No. 2 Miami Central

CLASS 2A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

2A-1: Pensacola Catholic (9-1)

2A-2: Bozeman (6-4)

2A-3: Florida High (4-6)

2A-4: Bolles (9-1)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Baldwin (7-3)

Freeport (5-4)

South Walton (7-3)

Walton (4-6)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Andrew Jackson (4-6)

Wolfson (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Walton vs. No. 1 Bolles

No. 4 Baldwin vs. No. 5 Florida High*

No. 3 South Walton vs. No. 6 Bozeman*

No. 7 Freeport vs. No. 2 Pensacola Catholic

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

2A-5: Bradford (9-1)

2A-6: Cocoa (5-4)

2A-7: Avon Park (6-4)

2A-8: Calvary Christian (Clearwater) (7-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Berkeley Prep (4-4)

Newberry (5-5)

Santa Fe (7-3)

The Villages (9-1)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Astronaut (5-5)

Palatka (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Avon Park vs. No. 1 Bradford

No. 5  Berkeley Prep vs. No. 4 Calvary Christian (Clearwater)

No. 6 Newberry vs. No. 3 Cocoa

No. 7 Santa Fe vs. No. 2 The Villages

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

2A-9: Cardinal Mooney (9-1)

2A-10: Glades Central (9-1)

2A-11: Somerset Canyons (5-5)

2A-12: Calvary Christian (Clearwater) (7-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Bishop Verot (4-6)

King’s Academy (5-5)

Lakewood (9-1)

North Broward Prep (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Inlet Grove (5-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 North Broward Prep vs. No. 1 Cardinal Mooney

No. 5 Bishop Verot vs. No. 4 Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale)

No. 6 The King’s Academy vs. No. 3 Glades Central

No. 7 Somerset Canyons vs. No. 2 Lakewood

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

2A-13: Cardinal Gibbons (7-2)

2A-14: Miami Carol City (6-4) (PROJECTED – District in 3-Way Tie)

2A-15: Immaculata-La Salle (10-0)

2A-16: Gulliver Prep (6-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Miami Killian (6-3)

Monsignor Pace (4-6)

North Miami Beach (4-6)

Ransom Everglades (6-4)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Hallandale (6-4)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Monsignor Pace vs. No. 1 Cardinal Gibbons

No. 5 Ransom Everglades vs. No. 4 Gulliver Prep

No. 3 Miami Killian vs. No. 6 Miami Carol City*

No. 7 Somerset Silver Palms vs. No. 2 Immaculata-La Salle

CLASS 1A

REGION 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

1A-1: Maclay (7-3)

1A-2: Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (6-4)

1A-3: University Christian (7-3)

1A-4: Trinity Catholic (4-5)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Episcopal (7-3)

Impact Christian (7-3)

North Florida Educational (6-4)

Providence (4-6)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

North Florida Christian (5-5)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Providence vs. No. 1 University Christian

No. 5 Impact Christian vs. No. 4 Episcopal

No. 6 Trinity Catholic vs. No. 3 Maclay

No. 7 North Florida Educational vs. No. 2 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

REGION 2

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

1A-5: Father Lopez (6-4)

1A-6: Melbourne Central Catholic (4-6)

1A-7: Carrollwood Day (9-0)

1A-8: Clearwater Central Catholic (8-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Indian Rocks Christian (4-6)

Lakeland Christian (8-2)

Orlando Christian Prep (6-4)

Victory Christian (5-5)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Crescent City (4-6)

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Father Lopez vs. No. 1 Carrollwood Day

No. 4 Orlando Christian Prep vs. No. 5 Melbourne Central Catholic*

No. 6 Victory Christian vs. No. 3 Lakeland Christian

No. 7 Indian Rocks Christian vs. No. 2 Clearwater Central Catholic

REGION 3

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

1A-9: St. Petersburg Catholic (10-0)

1A-10: Southwest Florida Christian (9-1)

1A-11: Community School (7-2)

1A-12: Cardinal Newman (7-3)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Benjamin (3-7)

Evangelical Christian (3-7)

Northside Christian (7-3)

St. John Neumann (7-3)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

None

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 Evangelical Christian vs. No. 1 St. Petersburg Catholic

No. 4 St. John Neumann vs. No. 5 Southwest Florida Christian*

No. 6 Northside Christian vs. No. 3 Community School

No. 7 Benjamin vs. No. 2 Cardinal Newman

REGION 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

1A-13: Saint Andrew’s (9-1)

1A-14: Chaminade-Madonna (7-2)

1A-15: True North (8-2)

1A-16: Palmer Trinity (7-2)

PROJECTED AT-LARGE TEAMS

Archbishop Carrol (7-2-1)

 Miami Edison (5-4)

St. John Paul II (Boca Raton (3-5)

Westminster Christian (7-2)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

None

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 8 St. John Paul II (Boca Raton) vs. No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna

No. 5 Westminster Christian vs. No. 4 Miami Edison

No. 6 Archbishop Carroll vs. No. 3 Saint Andrew’s

No. 7 Palmer Trinity vs. No. 2 True North

CLASS RURAL

PROJECTED SEEDING & PAIRINGS

No. 16 Branford (7-3) vs. No. 1 Hawthorne (7-1)

No. 9 Chipley (9-1) vs. No. 8 Madison County (5-5)

No. 13 Liberty County (7-2) vs. No. 4 Pahokee (7-3)

No. 12 Fort Meade (7-3) vs. No. 5 Taylor County (9-1)

No. 15 Sneads (7-3) vs. No. 2 Blountstown (9-0)

No. 10 Lafayette (8-2) vs. No. 7 Baker (10-0)

No. 14 Trenton (7-3) vs. No. 3 Chiefland (9-1)

No. 11 Fort White (6-4) vs. No. 6 Williston (9-1)

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Cottondale (7-3)

Hamilton County (5-5)

Holmes County (5-5)

Jay (6-4)

Moore Haven (5-5)

Northview (3-7)

Port St. Joe (4-5)

Union County (2-7)

The post PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Projecting the 2025 FHSAA Playoff Brackets appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

Follow this article for LIVE updates from the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors Meeting from the Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building in Gainesville.

PLAN FROM WEDNESDAY: View here

UPDATE NO. 44

FINAL UPDATE

11:42 AM EST — Discussion items on the NFHS Flag Football Rule book which will replace the FHSAA created one will come in the 2026-27 school year. Also there has been rene requests from schools about participating in games on Sundays which will eventually come up for a vote. Report from legal counsel, executive director, president along with comments from the BOD will wrap up the meeting.

UPDATE NO. 43

11:37 AM EST — The motion on the floor for 6 classification plus Rural with required district play (Option A) with vote carries with a 10-3 vote.

UPDATE NO. 42

11:34 AM EST — According to the FHSAA, 492 schools have declared for the FHSAA State Series for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Craig Damon is saying these schools declared based upon what is currently in place not what is voted upon.

UPDATE NO. 41

11:33 AM EST — Looks like we will have a new motion on the floor just to vote on Option A with nothing modified now.

UPDATE NO. 40

11:31 AM EST — A lot more discussion happening here. Ricky Bell is going to withdraw or amend his motion on the floor.

UPDATE NO. 39

11:25 AM EST — Trevor Berryhill is saying that it’s too cumbersome and it needs to be scaled back on the option that could be voted on.

UPDATE NO. 38

11:20 AM EST — Paul Selvidio is saying that he is voting for non-district play and going against the grain of those who are wanting district play. He said the FHSAA BOD should be accommodating the needs versus the wants.

UPDATE NO. 37

11:16 AM EST — They are saying the details of what that Florida independent FIT looks like would be voted upon another BOD meeting. FHSAA staff is asking for flexibility to be able to go to five classifications if the independent option takes off. Ricky Bell is mending the motion to give that flexibility. Paul Selvidio is going against this mending of the motion, saying too many what ifs are here.

UPDATE NO. 36

11:09 AM EST — Motion is on the floor is to approve Option A along with the opportunity for independents schools to play in FIT, not for state series schools, making the FIT an independent playoff option for independent schools. Discussion is now on the floor.

UPDATE NO. 35

11:06 AM EST — Johns said at least having a framework to creating something for the independent schools would be there in a vote today and letting them know something is going to be there for them if Option A is voted upon here.

UPDATE NO. 34

11:04 AM EST — Bobby Johns said he is against mandatory district play, but he is ready to vote upon Option A but looking at also doing something for the independent schools and maybe mold the Florida Invitational Tournament into that.

UPDATE NO. 33

11:01 AM EST — Marcus Chambers is bringing up about the unintended consequences of the decision that BOD makes today. Craig Damon is recommending Option A which is posted here again. He is urging Option A.

UPDATE NO. 32

11:00 AM EST — Ricky Bell is saying we (the BOD) needs to make a decision today. FHSAA Associate Executive Director of Athletic Services Scott Jamison is afraid about the possibility of an Independent series which would impact the numbers of teams in classifications and in districts.

UPDATE NO. 31

10:57 AM EST — FACA Executive Director Shelton Crews is telling the BOD to determine what is the path to win a state championship and not to kick the can down the road. Hillsborough County Athletic Director Lanness Robinson is saying a decision needs to be made today. Also saying that it needs to be implemented for a while before looking at changing things again.

UPDATE NO. 30

10:54 AM EST — FHSAA BOD President Marcus Chambers, the Superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools is speaking and saying there is a lot of different ideas and voices out there along with a lot of discussion on both sides of the fence on what ever decision comes about.

UPDATE NO. 29

10:49 AM EST — Allen Shirley is saying that he really doesn’t want to kick the can down the road which would delay coaches getting schedules set for the 2026 season. Ricky Bell is proposing saying once a school commits to what they want to do, they need to be locked in which would go against FHSAA Policy which allows teams to declare to go independent two weeks before the season starts which is has caused a lot of headache in recent years.

UPDATE NO. 28

10:48 AM EST — Trevor Berryhill want to see how many schools will declare before the decide on an Independent state series where it would be no required district play versus state series that would require district play.

UPDATE NO. 27

10:46 AM EST — Talking about reopening the declarations for football depending on the direction and the plan the FHSAA BOD takes here, FHSAA Associated Executive Director of Athletic Services is speaking to help allow schools to make a decision of which way they want to go.

UPDATE NO. 26

10:41 AM EST — The ideas being floated, BOD member Bobby Johns is saying that these ideas don’t include the Rural classification. He is saying this could possibly save the Rural Classification. The Rural Classification could be in trouble as a number of schools in the classification in the Panhandle and North Central Florida regions are looking at possibly going a different direction.

UPDATE NO. 25

10:38 AM EST — Thomas Kenna now speaking again… he saying do something for four years, but give the option after two years for a change where they want to be at. BOD Ricky Bell, who is an At-Large member and also the head football coach at Leon High school wants to grow the association and get schools back. He would like to take the King Solomon approach which is splitting the baby, basically as we are gathering to help the schools on both sides of the debate here.

UPDATE NO. 24

10:34 AM EST — One of the things being floated is how to get teams to come back and stop the bleeding that has seen a lot of teams deflect to the SSAA or other options in recent years in the name of competitive balance. Bobby Johns is speaking more on creating the split to help service the groups that don’t want district play. The option for playing a state championship vs not a state championship is a big thing for Johns to not dangle a carrot.

UPDATE NO. 23

10:32 AM EST — FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon now speaking again saying a lot of great points have been brought up. We still don’t have a firm plan on the table yet from the BOD.

UPDATE NO. 22

10:29 AM EST — FHSAA Associate Executive Director Scott Jamison is saying reclassification would still happen every two years based on FHSAA policy. Says the BOD can change things if they want to. He says an independent FHSAA state series should be called a State Championship. Jamison said he doesn’t want to take this away for those who don’t want to have a mandated district schedule. He says a lot of coaches are still wanting mandated district play.

UPDATE NO. 21

10:25 AM EST — Trevor Berryhill now speaking again about backing what Bobby Johns has proposed. So this idea might have some support.

UPDATE NO. 20

10:23 AM EST — BOD Bobby Johns now speaking again and he is talking about a point of separating schools who want district play vs. non-district play and giving the best of both worlds. So far a lot of different ideas being pitched. He also suggesting an FHSAA Independent playoff system, but suggesting not calling it a state championship. Those are for teams not interested in a state championship. Suggesting requiring district play for the state championship bracket while creating something else for those that don’t want it.

UPDATE NO. 19

10:16 AM EST — BOD member Trevor Berryhill is now speaking again. He likes what California does that does not have districts as they seed brackets based upon the rankings. However, it seems most are against this thought including a lot of coaches in the state.

UPDATE NO. 18

10:14 AM EST — BOD member Paul Selvidio who is the Head of School at Community School in Naples is speaking now. He is a proponent of not requiring mandatory district play. He is proposing a requirement of number of region games and not having district play as a requirement. Selvidio was at one time the head football coach at Community School, so he has experience with coaching football. He is saying the fear that is there from the coaches is not really there or won’t be there.

UPDATE NO. 17

10:10 AM EST — BOD member Allen Shirley is speaking up on requiring mandated district play given there are quite a few teams that have a hard time getting games. He understands the other side of it as well.

UPDATE NO. 16

10:07 AM EST — BOD member Thomas Kenna, Athletic Director from Cape Coral High School is speaking about the process and has expressed the various thoughts. Kenna expressed in the workshop from last week stating that enrollment shouldn’t be the only basis for classifications in Florida. He is proposing creating districts based on student enrollment and allow mandate district scheduling and allow teams to also schedule tougher games. He is also proposing that rankings be clearly defined. We will try to get a copy of this idea if this is something that the BOD goes with.

UPDATE NO. 15

10:03 AM EST — BOD member Trevor Berryhill, Athletic Director from The Master’s Academy (Oviedo) who is in the SSAA for football is speaking. He is stating that needs to go for like four or even six years. He say this should not be done every two years in changing things with classifications. He says it causes “way too much stress” for the entire state. He wants to see a plan implemented and see how it goes for four years.

UPDATE NO. 14

9:59 AM EST — Bobby Johns is leading off the comments to start off the comments from the BOD. He is bringing up the concerns he has. He is speaking about the successes for when he was coaching at Wewahitchka. He is asking if there is an option to not alienate the schools that are just trying to have a competitive team on the football each Friday night. Also sounds like we might be hearing some other ideas, plans or options.

UPDATE NO. 13

9:54 AM EST — Speakers so far have included Shelton Crews from FACA, Price Harris from Madison County. Harris is speaking the process that used to happen with the process which has been bypassed for second time around. Ty Lawrence from South Sumter and Jamie Rodgers also are going up to the Board as well to speak.

UPDATE NO. 12

9:36 AM EST — Damon is asking for flexibility to move teams up or down a classification and determine the size of classifications and determine how many districts there are per classification.

UPDATE NO. 11

9:33 AM EST — FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon is now speaking on this as they introduce the item. Public speakers are about to come up here. Again we are looking at 6 classifications plus Rural now instead of 5 classifications plus Rural.

UPDATE NO. 10

9:31 AM EST — We are now going into the report of the Operations Committee which is where football classifications discussion is about to happen. Policy 36.4 is a discussion item, not an item up for vote.

UPDATE NO. 9

9:19 AM EST — The BOD is now moving to the report of the Governance Committee which should take too long with two action items to add Array Global as recognize accrediting agency for schools in the FHSAA and then a change in Policy 36.4 for Impermissible Benefits. After that the classifications will be up.

UPDATE NO. 8

9:18 AM EST — The motion on Policy 9.11.2 carries unanimously 13-0.

UPDATE NO. 7

9:15 AM EST — Discussion about Policy 9.11.2 – Financial Reporting to help simplify adding an exception to financial reporting for any sport that engages ins a singe round series after district tournaments and before FHSAA hosted state finals. This would be a policy change.

UPDATE NO. 6

9:13 AM EST — Report of the Finance Committee is ongoing from FHSAA Associate Executive Director of Financial Services.

UPDATE NO. 5

9:09 AM EST — Adoption of the agenda and approval of the BOD meeting minutes from September 21-22 is ongoing with the report of the finance committee coming up.

UPDATE NO. 4

9:07 AM EST — Some coaches here in attendance at the BOD with Madison County head football coach and athletic director Price Harris and South Sumter head football coach and athletic director here among those in attendance. Brock Canaday from Baker County and Jamie Rodgers from Bradford is also here.

UPDATE NO. 3

9:03 AM EST — FHSAA Marketing team is introducing some members from Suncoast Credit Union with their new partnership with the FHSAA as introduction of guests get underway for the BOD meeting.

UPDATE NO. 2

9:00 AM EST — The FHSAA Board of Directors meeting is now underway here in Gainesville.

UPDATE NO. 1

8:37 AM EST — There appears to be a new update that will either go six classifications plus rural with required regular season district contests or the same option as presented on Wednesday that will not required regular season district contests that was presented prior to the Operations Committee on Sunday.

The post LIVE UPDATES: FHSAA Board of Directors to determine direction of football classifications for 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

Presented on Wednesday during an FHSAA Board of Directors informational workshop, Executive Director Craig Damon outlined a plan to reduce football to five classifications plus Rural and introduce a two-week district tournament format to determine playoff berths.

While FHSAA officials framed the proposal as a way to simplify scheduling, reduce travel, and restore late-season excitement, coaches and administrators said the plan fails to fix long-standing inequities tied to enrollment-based placement and opaque ranking systems.

Background: How the Current System Works

Florida’s current football model features seven classifications plus Rural, a system adopted in 2022 after the end of the Metro/Suburban split. That model was designed to simplify statewide competition and reduce confusion from the previous setup, but wide enrollment gaps and travel demands have remained.

Under the existing structure, 87.5 percent of schools have been able to schedule at least seven non-district games, but nearly one-third of all districts still include only two or three teams — leaving large portions of the schedule to be filled independently.

What the Proposal Would Do

Under proposed Policy 12.3.1, the association would eliminate the current 7A–1A structure and shift to 5A–1A plus Rural — six total divisions.

Schools committing to the State Series would be ranked by student enrollment. The smallest school in each group sets the class cutoff, which then stays locked for two years.

The Rural classification remains but adjusts its footprint to reflect today’s participation numbers. FHSAA slides presented Wednesday show 38 schools in the Rural division, even though the policy text lists a minimum of 24 and a baseline of 32. Officials said the larger figure represents expected participants based on current eligibility and REDI criteria.

Projected Breakdown by Class

That brings the total number of football-playing programs under the FHSAA umbrella to 542, not 772. The higher figure includes middle schools, JV-only teams and schools without football.

The Rural division represents about 7 percent of active football programs statewide, while 5A and 4A together make up more than half of all FHSAA football membership.

If approved Monday, the new classification system would take effect beginning with the 2026 football season and run through the 2027–28 cycle. Schools would be reclassified using October 2025 enrollment reports, with new districts finalized by spring 2026.

How the District Tournament Would Work

The most notable change comes in Policy 13.3.1, which replaces traditional district schedules with post-regular-season district tournaments.

• Weeks 1–9: Teams schedule up to eight games of their choosing.
• After Week 9: The top four teams in each district, based on the official FHSAA/MaxPreps rankings, qualify for the district bracket.
• Week 10: No. 1 hosts No. 4 and No. 2 hosts No. 3.
• Week 11: Winners meet for the District Championship; semifinal losers play each other.
• Non-qualifiers may still schedule independent games.

District champions automatically advance to the State Series; remaining playoff berths are filled by power ranking.

FHSAA officials said this structure will “bring back meaning to the district championship” while preserving scheduling freedom early in the season.

Concerns About District Size

For many athletic directors, district size is the proposal’s biggest weakness.

“You want some bigger districts, especially if we’re going to play the district tournament, so to speak, at the end. You can’t do that with two or three teams in a district,” said Wewahitchka athletic director Bobby Johns.

That concern has been echoed by coaches across classifications, who worry that smaller districts could lead to byes or uneven competition within the new two-week tournament structure.

Rodgers: Everything Should Be Decided on the Field

Bradford head football coach Jamie Rodgers said via text message that he is not in favor of the current proposal.

“Can’t take 32 when only 40 teams are in the whole class,” Rodgers wrote. “We have to have some people at the committee meeting. I don’t like this proposal.”

Rodgers said his preferred structure would feature 8–10 team districts, with the top four advancing to the playoffs.

“Everything is decided on the field,” he said.

Rodgers’ reaction reflects a growing sentiment among coaches who feel that any new format must prioritize on-field results rather than rankings or uneven class sizes.

What Schools Told the FHSAA

According to internal survey results shared at the workshop:

• 85 percent of schools want to keep districts in some form.
• 78 percent favor required contests or structured postseason play within districts.
• District champions should continue to qualify automatically for the playoffs.
• Schools value scheduling autonomy during the regular season.
• Travel reduction and late-season excitement rank among the highest priorities.

The association described its plan as “a hybrid between scheduling freedom and competitive accountability.”

Financial Impact

A new Policy 9.10.1.1 would allow district-tournament games to remain financially independent, meaning no percentage of gate revenue would go to the FHSAA. The host and visiting schools would manage profits and expenses locally.

FHSAA’s existing 25 percent cut would still apply to regional and state-semifinal rounds, but the change is intended to keep more dollars at the local level, especially for small or rural schools that depend on football gates to sustain entire athletic budgets.

FHSAA’s Case for the Plan

Damon told board members the model promotes geographically practical districts for 5A through 1A and Rural schools, cutting travel and reviving regional rivalries.

The policy also gives the Executive Director discretion to move geographically isolated schools up or down one class to reduce travel.

Yet even some board members questioned whether cutting classes and shifting boundaries truly delivers competitive balance.

While a few board members pressed for clarification on district sizes, class cutoffs, and playoff logistics, several others remained quiet throughout the discussion. The lack of questions from many on the board raised eyebrows among attendees who expected deeper scrutiny ahead of Monday’s scheduled vote.

Kenna: Not All Schools Are Created Equal

“1A is beating 7A, 2A is beating 5A,” said FHSAA Board Member Thomas Kenna, challenging the continued reliance on enrollment as the sole measure for classification. “Not all schools are created equal.”

Kenna’s remarks drew nods from several administrators and reflected a growing view among coaches that the state’s biggest inequities now stem from school-choice transfers, resource disparities, and private-school dominance, not raw enrollment counts.

Coaches’ Coalition Report Adds Context

A separate executive report released this week by the Florida Coaches Coalition (FCC) and FloridaHSFootball.com, based on responses from 111 head coaches statewide (18.4 percent participation), reinforced the concerns raised by Kenna, Johns, and Rodgers.

Key Findings:

• Competitive imbalance ranked as the No. 1 problem, with coaches calling the current enrollment model outdated and inequitable.
• Performance-based placement or a competitive-balance system was the most requested reform (40 percent).
• District restructuring and travel reduction ranked second (25 percent).
• Transparency in the MaxPreps ranking system followed at 18 percent.
• Coaches supported an Open Division only if it is earned or optional, not mandated.
• Nearly half reported high concern about how rankings affect playoff access.
• Most emphasized that football’s revenue supports all sports; poor classification choices hurt entire programs.

“Smaller schools are fighting battles we were never built for,” one 2A coach said. “When football loses money, every sport on campus feels it,” added a 7A coach.

The report, co-authored by Dr. Andrew Ramjit, FCC Executive Director, and Joshua Wilson, Publisher of FloridaHSFootball.com, calls for reforms that blend competitive equity, transparency, and fiscal stability rather than another purely enrollment-driven realignment.

Damon: Ranking Formula Could Change Too

Beyond classifications, Damon acknowledged that the FHSAA’s rating formula, currently powered by MaxPreps, may also be up for revision.

“Our plan is, once we get classifications done, to get together with football coaches at the advisory committee meeting and some others and come up with what we want in our ranking,” Damon said.

That means any new classification model could eventually pair with a revised playoff ranking system, another key demand from the coaching community.

Impact of SSAA and Program Shifts

The proposal could also be influenced by schools that choose to compete outside of the FHSAA. The Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) has grown in recent years, adding schools seeking smaller divisions or reduced travel.

That number could continue to change before the 2026–27 cycle. One current Rural program, Dixie County, has already announced it will join the SSAA’s Atlantic League beginning in 2026 — a move that highlights how fluid Florida’s football landscape remains.

Because of those transitions, the total count of participating schools in each classification could fluctuate before realignment is finalized.

What Happens Next

Wednesday’s session was an informational workshop, allowing the FHSAA staff to present models and receive feedback before any official vote.

The FHSAA Board of Directors is expected to vote on the proposal at its Monday, Nov. 3, meeting in Gainesville. While the plan could be adopted as presented, board members may still add amendments or defer the decision until a later date.

However, the Board currently has no further meetings scheduled until Feb. 22–23, 2026, meaning a delay could push any classification changes back another full cycle.

The additional Florida Coaches Coalition–FloridaHSFootball.com survey report has also been sent to the FHSAA Board of Directors for review ahead of that meeting.

The FHSAA did not take public comment during Wednesday’s workshop, but several coaches and administrators told FloridaHSFootball.com afterward that the proposal moves too quickly without addressing the core issue of competitive balance.

Whether the plan ultimately simplifies football or deepens existing divides will depend on what version of fairness the Board decides to pursue.

For now, Florida high school football finds itself once again in transition — torn between simplicity on paper and equity on the field.

The post FHSAA proposal would overhaul football classifications for 2026–28, drawing concern from coaches and ADs appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 7A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 6A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 5A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 4A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 3A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 2A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 1A playoff road map heading in to Week 9 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 7A playoff road map heading in to Week 7 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 6A playoff road map heading in to Week 7 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 5A playoff road map heading in to Week 7 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.

The post DRIVE TO STATE: Class 4A playoff road map heading in to Week 7 appeared first on FloridaHSFootball.com.