Hwy17

Immokalee could and most likely would beat those teams.

Immokalee - not so sure how they would do in 3a as that class is all private schools but they would beat most all teams in 1a & 2a and would be a playoff team in 4a. Fine line between most 4a publics and 5a public schools.

That's speculation. IMO, without the private schools, this year would have been Ponte Vedra vs Palm Bay and last year would have probably been Wakulla vs Hallendale. Both likely would have been good games.

They get over shadowed by AHP but those of us in 5a take notice.

Only one private school in 7a and they win the class every year. 4 of the top 5 in 5a are private schools. Interesting to say the least.

I have a feeling that Taggart is going to regret leaving USF.

Very impressed with Ponte Verda yesterday. Probably the only game worth the price of admission.

Now that it's over, how do you think a Venice vs Plant game would have gone?

They did, AHP 35 PV 33

Check that, AHP's ball. Looks like they can run the clock out.

This 5a title game is a good one! AHP 25 PV 33 with a minute or so left, PV's ball

Agree! Pahokee could beat the George Jenkins and Lake Region type teams, not the Lake Gibson type teams.

Lake Placid - A really small town that has next to no resources, no tradition, and a winning season like once in every 20 years. Bradenton Bayshore - Early in the school's history they were good but years of losing and sharing the talent pool with 3 other nearby schools, nobody wants to go there. Bradenton Lakewood Ranch - Following Bayshore really quick. My friends in Manatee say the school has lots of problems, and it shows with their athletic programs. Englewood Lemon Bay - For one the county line splits the town, so those on the north side can, and often do, choose to go to Venice. Not the worse program in Florida, basically has a good team every four years and then has to start over. Arcadia DeSoto - Was one time a powerhouse. Could easily be again. Probably the most political job in the state. How the coach there now has lasted as long as he has is an achievement in itself. BTW, look at all the other coaches that have been there and gone on to success elsewhere.

From what I've seen over the years, moving up in classification is typically approved. Its when asking to be moved down that gets blow back. I believe the rule is, or was, if the student count changed was less than 10% you can stay in the same class without having to move up provided travel or some other hardship is shown.

Maybe its just a school board policy in some counties?

What's your playing background? Coach in a youth league a couple of years, then JV a couple of years. I believe in Florida you have to be a school employee or teach to be a head coach but anyone can be an assistant.

Last year I felt like Braden River was ever bit the equal to STA as far as the starters went, but going down the depth chart, STA clearly had the advantage. Also, in big games like this, STA has a clear advantage because they have been in big game situations before. I expect a similar outcome as last year's game with Braden River, an overall close game but STA should be expected to win.

Pretty much. I can't remember a year where at least one team from Miami-Dade didn't win a championship. Back when there was only 6 classes, the entire south region for the old 6a (now 8a) was entirely in Miami-Dade. Here's something to think about: Take the population of Polk County, add it Broward County, and it still wouldn't equal that of Miami-Dade.

A win over a category 4 team is worth 35 points; a loss to a category 1 team is only 30. Do you schedule the powerhouse team you might lose to or go schedule the average team that somehow got in the playoffs and you feel good about being able to beat? See my post above.

I'm curious to see if Moor Haven stays the only public school in 2a or opts to go 1a

Something to think about - A non-playoff team with a winning season like Palmetto or Sebring is now worth less points than an average team that made the playoffs like Frostproof or Southeast due to bonus points.

When you think about it, it is similar to how the NCAA determines the college basketball playoffs. In college basketball, conference champs are in, and points are used to determine position and who else gets in.

Hopefully no more 3 team districts. I do think that points can be used for positioning, so the district champ with the highest points will be #1 seed and get the #8 seed in round one.

Well since we age going to allow open transfers, I think there needs to either be (1) a limit placed on the # of transfers allowed in, or (2) play up in class. When a school gets additional athletes that they wouldn't have otherwise had because they transferred there for the sole purpose of playing ball, that is compromising the purpose of why classification was created.

My understanding is that if you are district champs, you are in the playoffs regardless of record or points, and will be seeded no lower than 4th seed with home field in round one. The points are used to determine the remaining teams in the playoffs.