Joshua Wilson

With the changes coming to the playoffs, teams could form conferences to help schedule games. Here are some of the statewide all sports public school conferences that already exist.     
 
 
Gateway 
West: First Coast, Raines,  Ribault, Stanton, Jackson, Paxon, Lee, Ed White, Baldwin, Westside
East: Parker, Sandalwood, Fletcher, Englewood, Wolfson,, Atlantic Coast, Mandarin 
 
St. Johns River
West: Middleburg, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Bartram Trail
East: Nease, St. Augustine, Palatka, Menendez, Matanzas
 
Collier County
Barron Collier, Golden Gate, Gulf Coast, Immokalee, Lely, Naples, Palmetto Ridge      
 
Five Star 
Atlantic, Deland, Deltona, Mainland, New Smyrna Beach, Palm Coast, Pine Ridge, Seabreeze, Spruce Creek, University 
 
Seminole Athletic
Hagerty, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Lake Brantley, Lake Mary, Seminole, Lyman, Lake Howell
 
Orange Belt
Harmony, Celebration, Osceola, St. Cloud, Liberty, Gateway, Poinciana
 
Sunshine Athletic
Sunlake, River Ridge, Pasco, Land O' Lakes, Mitchell, Zephyhills, Wiregrass, Hudson, Ridgewood, Fivay, Anclote, Gulf, Wesley Chapel
 
Suwannee
Union County, Dixie County, Newberry, Chiefland, Williston
 
Marion County Athletic
Vanguard, Forest, Belleview, Dunnellon, West Port, Lake Weir, North Marion   
 
Metro
East: Oak Ridge, Winter Park, University, Timber Creek, Colonial, Freedom, Boone, Lake Nona, Cypress Creek, East River
West: Apopka, Wekiva, West Orange, Dr. Phillips, Olympia, Edgewater, Ocoee, Jones, Evans
 
Cape Coast
Viera, Eau Gallie, Cocoa, Heritage, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Astronaut, Bayside, Space Coast, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Titusville, Merritt Island, Satellite
 
Treasure Coast
FP Central, Martin County, South Fork, Centennial, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Sebastian River, Treasure Coast, Okeechobee, Port St Lucie, Westwood
 
Pinellas County Athletic
Boca Ciega, Clearwater, Countryside, Dixie Hollins, Dunedin, East Lake, Gibbs, Lakewood, Largo, Northeast, Osceola, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park,, Seminole, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs  
 
Lee County
South Fort Myers, Fort Myers, Dunbar, Mariner, Riverdale, North Fort Myers, Cypress Lake, East Lee, Ida Baker, Island Coast, Cape Coral, Lehigh, Estero 
    
Western
American: Sickles, Plant, Steinbrenner, Alonso, Blake, Gaither, Robinson, Jefferson, Leto
Federal: Durant, Lennard, Brandon, Plant City, East Bay, Riverview, Newsome, Bloomingdale, Spoto
National: Wharton, Armwood, Middleton, Chamberlain, Hillsborough, Tampa Bay Tech, King, Freedom, Strawberry Crest
   
Palm Beach Athletic Conference
North: Dwyer, Jupiter, PB Gardens, PB Lakes, Suncoast
Central: Lake Worth, Forest Hill,  Santaluces, Boynton Beach, Park Vista, Leonard
West: Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, PB Central, Seminole Ridge
South: Boca Raton, Spanish River, Atlantic, Olympic Heights, West Boca Raton
 
GMAC
Every public school in Miami over 30 schools   
 
Broward County Athletic
Every public school in Broward over 30 schools  

Essentially, we're taking the standpoint of FBS teams around the nation. 
 
Ole Miss has no clue how Baylor will be in 2020, but they have a game scheduled. Or how GA Tech will be in 2022/2023 or Wake Forest in 2024/2025. 
 
Shoot, Baylor could go winless in 2020 for all anyone knows. 

Ladies & Gentlemen (Yes there are some ladies on here that will read this):

I have had a sit down talk with Frank Beasley today which will be released in two parts over the next two days via the FHSAA.
 
Let's make a few things clear:
 
- First no vote will be taken just yet. This will be presented for informational purposes only on June 14th. Depending on how everyone feels things could move forward for a plan to come to vote in September.
 
- Second, NONE of the points for the points system is officially set in stone. Many ideas are rolling in from across the state. Bonus points for playing up a class, two or more could be removed. Different incentives will be looked at as well. 
 
- Some have said on here that the point system doesn't change things much on who would have gotten in. I get it, but it speaks the points should be able to work give the exception of a few teams who might replace other teams depending on the points.
 
- The schools keep wanting to have choices. Who doesn't want the choice to set the schedule they want? That is what I am trying to figure out. If schools are so worried about guaranteed games, they can create conferences or revive old ones that people still talk about to this day or even take ones that still exist on paper and make them worth while again. 
 
- This notion that everyone will take Week 11 as a bye week can't totally happen because some teams you want to play may not have room to schedule you depending on where things fall for them. 
 
There is a lot of things to be discussed and we will be involved in this until we see which direction things go. I will have some things to show what can be done I think a lot of you all are seriously overlooking and just how great things can be for teams once I show you all. I support this plan and I feel its worthy of a shot to let it become reality. From what I have looked at, this is our best chance to level the playing field as everyone has been talking about wanting. If we don't do it, then we can't continue to complain. I am just saying.

Hold up here...this is something we plan on doing here in the near future. 

Columbia fan..you know how to get a hold of me. We can talk about it.

Hold up here...this is something we plan on doing here in the near future. 

Columbia fan..you know how to get a hold of me. We can talk about it.

I am digging this right now....serious digging this! Great info Jessica as always!

Spring Football 2016
Class 3A

Spring football is a rite of passage in Florida where reporters, fans, family, coaches and players can evaluate where a program is likely heading going into Fall. I, for one, have never put to much stock into Spring games- some of the best teams in Fall lose their Spring game, and some teams that win by 70 in Spring can't reproduce those results in Fall; however, if we take Spring for what it is- 20 days of practice and a glorified scrimmage we can enjoy its subtle nuances.

Class 3A is going to be different this year- for the first time in recent memory, I believe there will be a legitimate challenger to Jacksonville Trinity Christian's throne. The off-season in 3A has been plastered with the rise of Chaminade-Madonna and there 16 division 1 offered athletes. There's also been much Bru-ha-ha made about Tampa Catholic fielding a team that has extremely high expectations with a healthy senior class and a load of division 1 athletes, TC made national news when it was announced they would be flying up to New Jersey to play national powerhouse Bergen Catholic.

So, the question remains- who are the contenders and who are the pretenders to still be playing late November?  Here's some general thoughts on 3A going into Spring.


1) Can Jacksonville Trinity Christian 4-Peat?  It's hard to win a state-championship in Florida, but can you imagine the pressure to win 4 in a row? Trinity has been the flag bearer for small school excellence for quite awhile and I have every expectation this will remain the same this year. Outside of Tampa Catholic, the North of 3A is rebuilding. Trinity will need to rework major parts of their offense as they've put together a highly competitive schedule that includes Ribault, IMG, Cocoa, Pine Forrest and Godby.  The defense is expected, as usual, to lead the way.

2) Chaminade-Madonna, already a national Super-Duper-Power? -  It's amazing how quickly things change in Florida. Just two seasons ago Chaminade-Madonna was the poster child for 1-9 teams making the playoffs while 7-3 teams didn't.  Now? The Lions feature a plethora of playmakers, defensive prowess and the class 4A Player of the year QB Henry Columbi who transferred in from Uschool.  Chaminade, wisely realizing that they play in the South of 3A which will feature no less than 4 teams in Maxpreps national small school rankings, is playing up most of the season to prepare them for a long playoff haul.

3) Oxbridge Academy has finally arrived- this time last year, most reporters were crowning Oxbridge as the De Facto 3A team. I still had them behind American Heritage Delray, but this year? I think Oxbridge has finally arrived and they've built a schedule that's comparable to IMG's schedule. Oxbridge will be playing a bevy of 8A schools throughout the year. Oxbridge, similar to Chaminade already knows 3A South is a gauntlet and they're preparing accordingly.

4) Any Dark horses?  Oxbridge/Chaminade/JaxTCA/CCC  are going to be talked about in Class 3A as the 4 top teams; however, are there any teams that could spoil the party? Looking around the state this year, 3A is going to be very top heavy.  I think Tampa Catholic and American Heritage Delray can play the spoiler roll. Heritage is in a position where, for the first time in, maybe ever, they go into the season as a clear and convincing underdog. Tampa Catholic has the talent and expertise to make another long playoff run as well.  Berkeley Prep is expected to have a strong/competitive football team this year and there is some hype around Winter Park Trinity Prep and Lakeland Christian.  If you're looking for a dark horse for 2016, Tampa Catholic would be it.

5) Ocala Trinity Catholic- up or down? The Celtics aren't used to experiencing many 4 win seasons; however, the schedule was unmerciful last year as the Celtics played a highly competitive schedule in 2015. 2016 should see the Celtics starting to resemble their old selves a bit more. The talent and coaching is there, but the 2015 version was young and immature by most accounts. This year, I think it's safe to say they'll be more competitive and I'm thinking, be a 2nd round playoff team this year.


Who has the toughest and easiest route to the Championship game?

Without question, Chaminade-Madonna has the toughest route to Daytona Beach. If you go by expectations and popular opinion, this is what Chaminade is most likely looking at to get to Orlando.

Week 10: @ Flanagan
Week 11: IMG
Rd 1:  Vs American Heritage Delray
Rd 2: Vs Oxbridge
Rd 3: @ CCC

That is the very definition of crazy. That CCC game, would come at the worst possible time considering CCC has a senior loaded roster that will feature 12-15 division 1 athletes of their own and that's before they get their expected transfers in June. But, even to get to Clearwater there's heavy resistance- Oxbridge is loaded, American Heritage will end up being loaded, IMG is IMG and Flanagan despite having some transfers out- is still the defending 8A State Champions. If Chaminade does get to Daytona or win it, they'll have earned it.

Ironically, the easiest route to the Championship game is most likely Jacksonville Trinity Christian.

Jacksonville Trinity is in a unique situation that they stand a a great chance of hosting all 3 playoff games in the North. I don't expect rounds 1 and 2 to be trouble at all as the teams in Region 1 are rebuilding.  That would leave JaxTCA with a  home game against Tampa Catholic and/or LCS/Berkeley Prep/Trinity Prep. JaxTCA will be heavy favorites at home against any of those teams.

Those are my thoughts for now- keep in mind, it's APRIL. Teams will get transfers in, out..those who transferred out will come back if others transfer in and vice versa. But, as Spring goes- there's enough story lines to keep people interested in small school football!


 

It gives the Football State Championships an official name they can use anywhere they go. 

After letting the helmet project stagnate and not even really kept up to date the last few years, the Florida HS Helmet Project is about to make a big comeback. If all goes to plan with getting Class 5A done, the helmet project could be back fully online sometime during the weekend. 
 
Gone will be the old helmets like this:
 

 
The new helmets will be more like this and about two times larger (teams/coaches/media outlets can ask for access to even larger versions):
 

 
New day and new era for the Florida HS Helmet Project!

After letting the helmet project stagnate and not even really kept up to date the last few years, the Florida HS Helmet Project is about to make a big comeback. If all goes to plan with getting Class 5A done, the helmet project could be back fully online sometime during the weekend. 
 
Gone will be the old helmets like this:
 

 
The new helmets will be more like this and about two times larger (teams/coaches/media outlets can ask for access to even larger versions):
 

 
New day and new era for the Florida HS Helmet Project!

Yep they should be pretty solid next year, Jeff-co always have talent 

The grape vine has Blair Armstrong taking the job at Jefferson County, Look out 1A Jefferson county about to get good again 

Folks,
 
And hence why we do schedules and work to make sure they are correct!
 
Would recommend you all bookmark the link below.
 
http://floridahsfootball.com/schedules/

Folks,
 
And hence why we do schedules and work to make sure they are correct!
 
Would recommend you all bookmark the link below.
 
http://floridahsfootball.com/schedules/

The Warren Sapp's Stealth Camp Series
brought to you by the HSPN Sports team
the #1 high school Broadcast Network in the Nation
will be at the West coast of Florida on April 23rd
at Veterans Memorial Park
 
 
14333 Hicks Road
Hudson, Fl 34669
 

That would be nice, but take this bidding process for example -- if we did that Daytona would be the only other choice because they would have been literally the only place to say they wanted it. But what if they want too much money? Then the FHSAA would be stuck with them. 
 
That's why we don't do the 3 year rule you mentioned and every region does have a shot at hosting - nobody in North Florida is willing and nobody in South Florida is willing. Orlando and Daytona are only places that are willing to right now. 

These were the attendance numbers the last time Daytona Beach hosted.
 

 
Those numbers are comparable to what we are seeing now.
 
I feel the FHSAA wants to make a move here, but that is just me. At one time the seating capacity requirement use to be 25,000 in the Request for Proposal. This time around it got knocked down to 10,000. 
 
Daytona Beach might be an older stadium, but it has a lot of advantages that the Citrus Bowl lacks (like plenty of parking on site, setting has more a high school feel to it). Also hotel rates are likely to be cheaper in Daytona Beach than Orlando at the same time of the year the finals are played which is huge, plus everything with hotels and restaurants are easily accessible right there along ISB. Also the area I say is safer in terms of the area surrounding it (considering Father Lopez is located across the street).

These were the attendance numbers the last time Daytona Beach hosted.
 

 
Those numbers are comparable to what we are seeing now.
 
I feel the FHSAA wants to make a move here, but that is just me. At one time the seating capacity requirement use to be 25,000 in the Request for Proposal. This time around it got knocked down to 10,000. 
 
Daytona Beach might be an older stadium, but it has a lot of advantages that the Citrus Bowl lacks (like plenty of parking on site, setting has more a high school feel to it). Also hotel rates are likely to be cheaper in Daytona Beach than Orlando at the same time of the year the finals are played which is huge, plus everything with hotels and restaurants are easily accessible right there along ISB. Also the area I say is safer in terms of the area surrounding it (considering Father Lopez is located across the street).

This topic is now locked. The official spring games list has moved to this link: 
 
http://floridahsfootball.com/2016/03/10/2016-spring-football-games-jamborees-list/

Impressive thought and something I think we will certainly take into consideration with previews this summer. Of course spring football is going to play a factor as well in those previews, but I agree with the assessment that huge shoes are being filled and it is going to be a tough three-team district battle like it was this past year (which is strange I say that considering how strongly I despise 2, 3 and 4 team districts).
 
Overall love the insight Jessica and I am glad you are over here!  Feels like our football intelligence made a strong increase for the good! 

Impressive thought and something I think we will certainly take into consideration with previews this summer. Of course spring football is going to play a factor as well in those previews, but I agree with the assessment that huge shoes are being filled and it is going to be a tough three-team district battle like it was this past year (which is strange I say that considering how strongly I despise 2, 3 and 4 team districts).
 
Overall love the insight Jessica and I am glad you are over here!  Feels like our football intelligence made a strong increase for the good! 

One of the more interesting head coaching vacancies in small school football to me was the position at Melbourne Central Catholic high school. Coach Mike Riazzi has been at MCC for what seems like, ever and leaves some pretty big shoes to fill.

MCC is a very up and down team. In 2009 they knocked off North Florida Christian in round 1 before running into a Jamie Harper lead Jacksonville Trinity Christian team. In 2013 the Hustlers were 11-0 before running into one of Tampa Catholic's best ever teams. The Hustlers typically have talent, but with the rise of Melbourne Holy Trinity and the re-emergence of John Carroll the district is always a battle.

With that as a preface, I felt it was important for the Hustlers to make a strong hire and I do think Stacey Sizemore is a strong hire for the Hustler program. Coach Sizemore has a long history with American Heritage Del-Ray including leading the Stallions to a State-Final in 2014 and winning championships with the Stallions in 2009 and 2011 as an assistant.

My brutally honest opinion? He's the right guy for the job; however, he's got a lot of work to do. He's going to inherit a young Hustler team that needs a LOT of work. To make the playoffs, he's going to have to find a way to upset John Carroll or Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity has a very promising team in 2016 that has expectations of making the 2nd round of the playoffs this year; however, it's not unrealistic to think MCC could upset John Carroll a huge rival that has some rebuilding to do. 



 

Haha- yes, Sportsnut:-) I had to step away for awhile; however, I had planned to come on over here awhile ago- but couldn't make it in time as the season was already half over. I have a few things going on that will keep me busy until late March, but plan on doing my usual in a more condensed form.

Bowardhandicapper, I didn't ask questions when I was being told about the kids coming from Pembroke- I freely admit, the Miami area isn't my Forte so I wasn't educated enough to ask. I'm aware that Coach Milgrom has Chaminade on the map. What I think people like about them is their POTENTIAL to be great but- and this is just being honest, this is still a team that hasn't won a playoff game in years and make no mistake, the Lions face by far the toughest road of any of the traditional 3A power's to get to Orlando, let alone win it.

If you look at Chaminade, this would be the likely path to a state title:

Round 1: vs American Heritage Delray (2x defending Class 3A Southern Champions, Nationally Ranked Small School by MP).
Round 2: vs Oxbridge Academy (Returns a hefty portion of team, will add transfers, very well coached, Nationally Ranked Small School by MP)
Round 3: @ Clearwater Central Catholic (Only graduated 5 seniors, and has already replaced them all with transfers in January, 60 wins in past 6 years, 30-3 at home since 2012, Nationally Ranked Small School by MP)
Round 4: Jacksonville Trinity Christian (Enough said..seriously..I'm saying no more).

They're also doing it the right way by making a hugely competitive schedule.They've scheduled games against American Heritage Planation, IMG and Manatee. I think the kids are seeing that and taking a shot at transferring to Chaminade...or..as I was told they're calling themselves, "The Nade'  "  I like them since assuming they win their district they would host the first two rounds of the playoffs in Hollywood before traveling 5 hours to Clearwater in the final 4. The transfers are just icing on the cake, the team already had the blueprint to be successful.






 

If I had to rank Tampa Bay private schools to represent the State of Florida in NJ, Tampa Catholic would be #3.  Clearwater Central Catholic and Tampa Jesuit would be 1 and 2. That's not to say they aren't deserving- they are, and they bring back quite a bit of talent from their 10-3, Final 4 team; however, they aren't at the level of the top 2, who are just great right now.  Still, good luck to the Crusaders of TC- we'll be watching and hopeful you represent the state well!

Earl Little was a good coach, something shady is going on. I wish them well.