fishspinners

Rockledge is going to be fine. 

Manatee should be solid, but a return to glory isn't likely as long as Coach Marino is keeping the stars north of the river home at Palmetto. Most of Manatee's great teams had alot of Palmetto kids on the roster. Coach Marino has done a great job at keeping the local talent home the last five years or so.

Some of this is true; some is not.  Allow me to provide some context (WARNING:  Long Post alert):
Prior to the 2019 season, Plant had a 14-year span (from 2005 to 2018) in which they won four state championships, never won less than 9 games (and won ten or more games 12 times), and went 58-0 in district games.  Yep, 58 wins and zero losses. 
2019 broke several streaks, including their district winning streak, their playoff streak and their season winning record streak.  They finished the season 4-6.  Plant's six losses came against their first six opponents:  (1) Armwood, who finished the season 12-2 (only losses were a 2OT loss to North Gwinnett (GA) and a 4th round playoff loss to Edgewater); (2) Gaither, who also finished 12-2 (only losses were to Armwood in the regular season and a 4th round playoff loss on the road against Escambia); (3) Steinbrenner, another team that finished 12-2 (4th round playoff loss to Apopka); (4) Bloomingdale, who finished 9-3 (only losses were to Lakeland and Armwood, once in the regular season and again in the playoffs); (5)Tampa Bay Tech, who finished 8-4 (with losses to Armwood, Gaither, Bloomingdale and Lakeland in the playoffs); and (6) Gonzaga (MD) (nationally ranked at the time, but finished their season 8-3).  If you take away the out-of-state schools and losses to each other, this group of teams had a combined record of 53-6 in 2019.
Plant finished the 2019 season with four straight wins, including three district wins, to finish second in the district.   In those four wins, Plant outscored their opponents by a combined 164-20.  In any one of the prior 15 plus years (when Plant won their district), their runner-up district status would have gained them a playoff spot.  However, 2019 was the first year that the FHSAA relied on a power rankings point system to determine the four non-district winner playoff spots and Plant lost out on the final playoff spot by the narrowest of margins when Steinbrenner lost their season finale to Chamberlain 26-20 (thus, slightly lowering Plant's "opponents record").    To my knowledge, they were the only team in the state not to win a state championship, but nevertheless finish their season with four straight wins.   In all likelihood, they wouldn't have made a lot of noise in the playoffs, but they did have some momentum and had figured out how to play to their strengths.  They would not have been an easy win for any team at that point. 
Head coach Robert Weiner did serve a three-game suspension in the middle of the 2019 season for an alleged FHSAA rules violation.  He was accused with providing benefits to a player when he asked his director of operations to see if she could help a kid who was new to the football program, but nevertheless registered at Plant, find a place to spend the night when it became apparent late one afternoon that the kid was otherwise not going to have anywhere to sleep that night.  Ultimately, through the FHSAA appeals process, the "conviction" was overturned, the fine was rescinded and Coach Weiner's clean record was restored.   However, unlike professional sports (where you can continue to play or manage while an appeal is pending), Coach Weiner was forced to serve his 3-game suspension before the appeal could be heard.  When your head coach is also your offensive coordinator/QB coach and play-caller, this can be a problem. 
In short, Plant lost to six quality opponents, but finished the year strong, just missing out on the final playoff spot in the region.  PinellasFB is correct that Plant's offensive line was not on par with previous seasons, in part because of early-season injuries and lack of depth. 
After the season ended, Coach Weiner accepted a college coaching job with the University of Toledo.  Plant's QB signed with Georgia Tech (but has since transferred to Toledo).  The Plant administration went through a laborious process to find a new head coach.   In an effort to do everything the right way, and perhaps not understanding the new wild, wild west of high school football, the school took its time accepting applications, interviewing prospective candidates, narrowing down the field, etc.  They eventually settled on a man who had played and coached at the college level and who had previously been the Plant JV coach.  In hindsight, it was not the right hire.  However, in both Plant's defense and the coach's defense, no one could have anticipated the chain of events that would transpire for this person, professionally and personally. 
In the meantime, after Coach Weiner announced his departure and before the new coach could be named, a number of Plant's top players, unsure of what the future would bring, decided to do the 'Hallendale Bail,' two years before Hallendale did it.    Some did it on their own; others were, to use polite terms, 'encouraged' by 'representatives of other school's athletic interests' to transfer.    Area coaches smelled blood in the water and used every opportunity and resource they could to reach out to top Plant players and their parents.   Before the school year ended, Plant lost at least eight players who had played significant time in the 2019 season and/or who were expected to contribute significantly the following season, including two top receivers, the expected QB1 and the expected QB2, a starting RB/LB, a starting DB and two OL/DL starters.  At the time, four of them had D1 offers and another has since picked up at least one D1 offer. 
2020 was a disastrous year for Plant.  First year without their old head coach, first year with a new coach who was not on campus, Covid restrictions, no returning varsity QB (and very little chance for anyone to earn the spot with limited 7 on 7 games/tournaments), etc.   There were a number of additional factors that led to the downfall, but a lack of incoming new talent over the past couple of years definitely was a major contributor.  Plant finished 2-6 last season, but did make the playoffs (yeah, only because every team 'made the playoffs.'  ). 
Once again, Plant has a new head coach:  former assistant coach Hank Brown.  Coach Brown will surround himself with others that have been around the program in hopes of restoring its glory days.  It won't surprise me if Plant has a better record this year than last, but in large part, that will be because of the way that Hillsborough County does its scheduling.   For non-district games, Plant won't be playing the 'top tier' teams like Armwood, Gaither, Steinbrenner and Bloomingdale.  But, they'll still have a number of tough games and will be lucky to finish the season with a .500 record. 
In short, Plant's success cycle likely is over, at least for a while.  So, in short answer to the original question, Plant will not be a factor this season (or anytime soon) in the playoffs.   It's possible they could make the playoffs and it's possible they could win their first playoff game, but that's as far as I see them going unless and until more talent shows up.  Oh, and here's the catch:  Plant is an A-rated school that has been over-capacity for years.  So, unlike some of the other 'football-oriented schools' in the county (or across the state), a kid cannot choose to attend Plant unless they live in the Plant district.  That will make it even harder to regain their status as one of the top programs in the county, if not the state. 
But, it was a helluva run while it lasted. 
 

Well in week 1 we will see a North/South 8A matchup between two on that list: Bartram Trail hosts Miami Columbus. Should prove a good game.

Think I'll stick my neck out and add Bartram Trail to this list.

Stacy Gage, only a Sophomore. Not quite as fast as Kaytron Allen but he has the moves. 
 
 

IMG is as loaded this year as they've ever been. 

For me: Venice @ NW bulls or Chaminade @ Dillard! Only chance to see Venice.....

I was thinking that last season, but this season it looks like the talent on that side of town is more spread around than it usually is. I'm leaning more towards Gaither being the new Armwood as far as Hillsborough Co goes.

Cardinal Gibbons rolls CCA this season.

I follow Central Florida HS football, so my opinion will not include other areas of the state where it seems very few schools are settled as for who will be attending what school. In Central Florida, it should be an interesting season in 8A. Seminole (Sanford) is loaded with talent and has depth at almost all the skill positions, including QB where transfer Luke Rucker may not end up being the starting QB; they have a very talented rising sophomore QB. I expect they'll be the best team in Central Florida this year. Apopka always has talented players and they are always very disciplined. I think their biggest question is at QB, where Andrew McClain transferred over from Seminole. Andrew is a better runner than passer, but that shouldn't hinder Apopka with their heavy reliance on the run and short shuttle passes. Apopka may be the 2nd best 8A team in Central Florida. West Orange and Osceola both have very good teams are in the same district with Dr Phillips, a team that should be good, but didn't show it in the Spring Jamboree . In my opinion, other 8A teams to watch in Central Florida will be Winter Park and Boone. Terrance Gibbs, one of the best RB's in the country, will lead WP's ground game; he is a beast running and catching the ball and should be in top form after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. He'll share running the ball with Amaris Shaw, a very talented rising junior RB. Boone has been steadily improving the past two seasons and has a senior QB that can move the ball down the field. It should be a great season of HS football in Central Florida.

My picks in bold 

Surprised you went with PC over Tech and Bloomingdale over Jesuit.

IDK where I'll have them yet but it'll likely be inside the top 50.

A good friend and I usually pick one game every week to go to between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Polk counties. Here's our tentative 2021 schedule:
8-27: Plant City @ Tampa Tech
9-3: Edgewater @ Venice
9-10: Bloomingdale @ Jesuit
9-17: Lakeland @ Lake Gibson
9-24: Osceola(Kiss) @ Manatee
10-1: Tampa Catholic @ Berkley Prep
10-8: Apopka @ Lakeland
10-15: Braden River @ CCC
10-22: Wiregrass Ranch @ Armwood
10-29: Gaither @ Hillsborough
11-5: Tampa Catholic @ Jesuit

I'll take that bet

SJB is preseason #3 in the national rankings. They have as much talent on their roster as anyone outside of IMG.

A good friend and I usually pick one game every week to go to between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Polk counties. Here's our tentative 2021 schedule:
8-27: Plant City @ Tampa Tech
9-3: Edgewater @ Venice
9-10: Bloomingdale @ Jesuit
9-17: Lakeland @ Lake Gibson
9-24: Osceola(Kiss) @ Manatee
10-1: Tampa Catholic @ Berkley Prep
10-8: Apopka @ Lakeland
10-15: Braden River @ CCC
10-22: Wiregrass Ranch @ Armwood
10-29: Gaither @ Hillsborough
11-5: Tampa Catholic @ Jesuit

I may have been selling Palmetto a little short for this upcoming year. Just found out they'll have a freshmen QB that was a starter at Bradenton Christian as a 7th and 8th grader. He led them to the state semis in the christian division. I saw the kids highlights last year but didn't know he had transferred to Palmetto. Sounds like he played really well in the recent 7 on 7 tourney for Palmetto. Zander Smith is the kids name.  

Our starting RB Ja'Randy Swint has a younger brother an incoming 9th grader that was hyped with these kids mentioned above in these same youth leagues.  Actually a youth league Heisman winner 2 years running,  Taevion Swint.  We will have to see how that transfers to varsity ball.

It’s not stacy but they play in the same league stacy is a going to 10 and gator is going to 9 grade but both are good running backs Stacy plays at img and jamarice wilder aka gator plays at Venice 

I'm just hoping his last name is "Bates." 

Wow! Great line up! Not a down week on the schedule. 

What fun is that?  

A good friend and I usually pick one game every week to go to between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Polk counties. Here's our tentative 2021 schedule:
8-27: Plant City @ Tampa Tech
9-3: Edgewater @ Venice
9-10: Bloomingdale @ Jesuit
9-17: Lakeland @ Lake Gibson
9-24: Osceola(Kiss) @ Manatee
10-1: Tampa Catholic @ Berkley Prep
10-8: Apopka @ Lakeland
10-15: Braden River @ CCC
10-22: Wiregrass Ranch @ Armwood
10-29: Gaither @ Hillsborough
11-5: Tampa Catholic @ Jesuit