DarterBlue2

false. best team in miami in 2024 will be the bulls. norland close second. central will competing for third with columbus & booker t. but yes a great matchup awaits!! Ill be in attendance to watch.

But I thought the privates had no advantage over most publics.  Based on your input, attracting players may not be a result of winning culture, tradition of excellence, coaching, blah, blah, blah, but instead "Athletic Budget"???    NAAHHH!!!

If that is final it looks like Cocoa is guaranteed district champs. They are in a 2 team district with Astronaut. Looks like the other 4 teams that were in their district went independent or appealed to go up

I am glad this game is taking place. It should give us a great prelude to November/December. 

Final, or so it says....
https://fhsaa.com/news/2024/1/23/football-classifications-available-for-2024-25-2025-26.aspx

I am glad this game is taking place. It should give us a great prelude to November/December. 

I am glad this game is taking place. It should give us a great prelude to November/December. 

I knew Lakeland would let go of Bryant stadium and head to S. Florida once Coach Castle retired.  I love this!  Lakeland was burned by Andrew in 92' and ever since, no regular season game has been scheduled in S. Florida.

This will be Lakeland's first trip to Traz Powell stadium, known by locals as "The Mecca". It will probably be the 3rd time in the last nine seasons Lakeland will face the best team in Dade county (Carol City in 2016 and Norland in 2023 being the other two.) 
We'll have to keep an eye on the recruiting classes for these teams, as that will make all the difference in how this game goes. Both schools have a solid nucleus returning, but, in this day and age they'll have to recruit well to stay at a top level.  

Given all the millions Hardee gets from Mosaic they could be the next super team. 

Windemere may have something to say about that.

Some intriguing things could come out of this that would forever change the nature of high school sports. But, in a sense, it's the logical end game for where we are heading. Celebration in the Orlando metro statistical area may yet bag a football title! 

Would certainly turn the old college model on its head, wouldn't it?

Some intriguing things could come out of this that would forever change the nature of high school sports. But, in a sense, it's the logical end game for where we are heading. Celebration in the Orlando metro statistical area may yet bag a football title! 

I can't believe were even talking about this. The fact that this is even a possibility is disturbing. This will push a lot of good coaches out of the profession, which will allow "street agents" to take over more than they already have. 

Would certainly turn the old college model on its head, wouldn't it?

You know we do things the hard way on FHSF!   Speak your mind @DarterBlue2!

They are going to be young. But I am sure talent is there. And I am sure coach Darlington will figure out how to use it effectively. Still, a game against Deland would be a good challenge for many teams. I encourage anyone short a game or two to embrace this challenge. VB, that includes you, too. 

Those kids must have been "eSpecially fit."       

After running a survey for a while for coaches to complete and nearly 200 responses, I have published the results of that survey along with a separate article with dozens and dozens of quotes from coaches around the state expressing everything from disgust for the FHSAA to expressing happiness for the recent changes to the classifications.
Below are the links to the stories to read: 
PART I: Coaches are not on board with changes to classifications leaving them unhappy with the FHSAA - https://floridahsfootball.com/2024/01/04/survey-says-part-i-coaches-are-not-on-board-with-changes-to-classifications-leaving-them-unhappy-with-the-fhsaa/
PART II: The best of the best in comments from coaches who completed our survey - https://floridahsfootball.com/2024/01/04/survey-says-part-ii-the-best-of-the-best-in-comments-from-coaches-who-completed-our-survey/

Union County wouldn't have to play Chaminade if the FHSAA would allow the 8 team open division. Thats one of the reasons I liked that idea. 

Somewhat real question for a second, but I don't feel like researching it. 
1) I am almost positive the state legislature allows schools to be in multiple associations. 
2) I thought there used to be a requirement that all public schools had to be members of the FHSAA.
3) I don't think number #2 is true anymore, but even if it was, but as long as #1 is still true why not create a parallel association, where you are independent in the FHSAA (to satisfy any state requirements), and then create the association you want with the rules you want. 

1. They do.
2. Not anymore.
3. That is similar to what the SSAC does. Issue would be if you didn't follow the FHSAA rules then you wouldn't be eligible for postseason play, but some schools do it this way and are a part of the SSAC and the FHSAA. Although we probably would benefit from another/bigger association. 

Just a note that these classifications are not final, as schools have until January 12 to appeal their placement.  Per FHSAA policy, the basis of an appeal could be either a discrepancy in the enrollment count, or geographic isolation (travel) in which case the school could be placed in the next higher classification on a successful appeal.  I seem to remember a time in the old days (or maybe it was in another state) where schools could petition to "play up" for "competitive" reasons.  I guess that's not feasible now, as 60 schools in 1A would elect to play up, leaving Chaminade in a classification all to themselves.  

I get that they aren't in the lowest 32, but yeah man I don't know how you can look at Fort White, Newberry, Williston, Union, Bozeman, etc. and expect them to compete in the same classification as Chaminade. Bozeman gave up 60 to Madison, and Chaminade would beat Madison just as bad as they beat Bozeman....Williston couldn't get past Hawthorne, who would also lose to Chaminade in spectacular fashion. It is very unfortunate for those fringe 1A/1R schools.