Some numbers

[Dr. D]

For those interested in data, here are some numbers to consider:

460 teams played under the FHSAA umbrella this year.  240 (52%) teams qualified for the state playoff series.  That seems like a lot.  My view is that if you didn't make the playoffs, look in the mirror first before blaming others.

Here is the breakdown of quarterfinal games across classes 1A-7A:

• #1 seed vs. #8:  28-0
• #2 seed vs. #7:  25-3
• #3 seed vs. #6:  21-7
• #4 seed vs. #5:  18-10
• higher seed vs. lower seed:  overall 92-20; about what you expect.  This suggests that the seeding system is fairly accurate, especially not giving a top 4 seed and home game automatically to district winners.  You don't deserve an automatic top 4 seed by winning a piddly 3- or 4-team district.  It would be a different story if districts had 7 or more teams.

Comparing this year's quarterfinals under the enrollment-based classes vs. last year's Metro-Suburban classes, the median (half higher/half lower) margin of victory in both years across all quarterfinal games was 26 points.  In 2023, 30% of the quarterfinal games had a running clock, whereas the total was 34% in 2024.  It will be interesting to see if the remaining games are more or less competitive than last year.

On to the region semifinals...

  

  

[nolebull813]

Pathetic. It’s more proof that most of these teams don’t belong in the playoffs. I know the FHSAA loves the gate money around this time because the latest models of luxury cars come out. You already know they are in the 2025 Benz watching Chaminade beat SJP 63-0. Lol. 
 

I hope a bunch of these 1st round losers who got embarrassed jump over to the SSAA

[DarterBlue2]

2 hours ago, Dr. D said:

For those interested in data, here are some numbers to consider:

460 teams played under the FHSAA umbrella this year.  240 (52%) teams qualified for the state playoff series.  That seems like a lot.  My view is that if you didn't make the playoffs, look in the mirror first before blaming others.

Here is the breakdown of quarterfinal games across classes 1A-7A:

• #1 seed vs. #8:  28-0
• #2 seed vs. #7:  25-3
• #3 seed vs. #6:  21-7
• #4 seed vs. #5:  18-10
• higher seed vs. lower seed:  overall 92-20; about what you expect.  This suggests that the seeding system is fairly accurate, especially not giving a top 4 seed and home game automatically to district winners.  You don't deserve an automatic top 4 seed by winning a piddly 3- or 4-team district.  It would be a different story if districts had 7 or more teams.

Comparing this year's quarterfinals under the enrollment-based classes vs. last year's Metro-Suburban classes, the median (half higher/half lower) margin of victory in both years across all quarterfinal games was 26 points.  In 2023, 30% of the quarterfinal games had a running clock, whereas the total was 34% in 2024.  It will be interesting to see if the remaining games are more or less competitive than last year.

On to the region semifinals...

  

  

Clearly there are too many teams in the playoffs. This could easily be remedied by reducing the number of classes by at least one, but preferably two. Having districts no less than 5 teams but no more then 7 would lead to better playoff teams without making it too difficult for teams to schedule out of district, out of area, or even out of state teams with their remaining 4 to 6 games. I am agnostic as to whether we have champs and runners up under this scenario or whether it's champs and the next highest four teams in each region provided the system to determine ranking is rational and transparent.  

[Statboy Stanley]

31 minutes ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Clearly there are too many teams in the playoffs. This could easily be remedied by reducing the number of classes by at least one, but preferably two. Having districts no less than 5 teams but no more then 7 would lead to better playoff teams without making it too difficult for teams to schedule out of district, out of area, or even out of state teams with their remaining 4 to 6 games. I am agnostic as to whether we have champs and runners up under this scenario or whether it's champs and the next highest four teams in each region provided the system to determine ranking is rational and transparent.  

Divide the state into 3 major classifications: North, Central, and South. Let the South Florida juggernauts play for 1 state championship. Combine Sarasota County with Central Florida and let them play for one state championship. Let all of the North Florida rural schools play for their own championship. Districts of no fewer than 4 teams a piece. At the end of the season, the winner of the, "North," plays the winner of the, "Central" class. The winner of that game is to play the winner of the, "South," class, the following week. At the end of the season, we would have one true state champion. 

[Nulli Secundus]

13 hours ago, Dr. D said:

For those interested in data, here are some numbers to consider:

 

460 teams played under the FHSAA umbrella this year.  240 (52%) teams qualified for the state playoff series.  That seems like a lot.  My view is that if you didn't make the playoffs, look in the mirror first before blaming others.

 

Here is the breakdown of quarterfinal games across classes 1A-7A:

• #1 seed vs. #8:  28-0
• #2 seed vs. #7:  25-3
• #3 seed vs. #6:  21-7
• #4 seed vs. #5:  18-10
• higher seed vs. lower seed:  overall 92-20; about what you expect.  This suggests that the seeding system is fairly accurate, especially not giving a top 4 seed and home game automatically to district winners.  You don't deserve an automatic top 4 seed by winning a piddly 3- or 4-team district.  It would be a different story if districts had 7 or more teams.

Comparing this year's quarterfinals under the enrollment-based classes vs. last year's Metro-Suburban classes, the median (half higher/half lower) margin of victory in both years across all quarterfinal games was 26 points.  In 2023, 30% of the quarterfinal games had a running clock, whereas the total was 34% in 2024.  It will be interesting to see if the remaining games are more or less competitive than last year.

On to the region semifinals...

  

  

 

13 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Pathetic. It’s more proof that most of these teams don’t belong in the playoffs. I know the FHSAA loves the gate money around this time because the latest models of luxury cars come out. You already know they are in the 2025 Benz watching Chaminade beat SJP 63-0. Lol. 
 

I hope a bunch of these 1st round losers who got embarrassed jump over to the SSAA

 

11 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Clearly there are too many teams in the playoffs. This could easily be remedied by reducing the number of classes by at least one, but preferably two. Having districts no less than 5 teams but no more then 7 would lead to better playoff teams without making it too difficult for teams to schedule out of district, out of area, or even out of state teams with their remaining 4 to 6 games. I am agnostic as to whether we have champs and runners up under this scenario or whether it's champs and the next highest four teams in each region provided the system to determine ranking is rational and transparent.  

 

10 hours ago, VeniceIndianFan said:

Divide the state into 3 major classifications: North, Central, and South. Let the South Florida juggernauts play for 1 state championship. Combine Sarasota County with Central Florida and let them play for one state championship. Let all of the North Florida rural schools play for their own championship. Districts of no fewer than 4 teams a piece. At the end of the season, the winner of the, "North," plays the winner of the, "Central" class. The winner of that game is to play the winner of the, "South," class, the following week. At the end of the season, we would have one true state champion. 

I posted this information last year and haven't gone back to adjust for the '24 season.  I'll do that as time permits.  At any rate, I'm a strong supporter of going to a single class (as if my opinion carries weight) and if the lower number of schools that participated is any indicator that things need to chance, this is it.  District champs only from a 64 district system based on geography.  6 round playoff system.  Runner-ups can have whatever consolation bowl they desire.  Below is sample of what the post season could've looked like based on this year's playoff results for all the teams that reached the semifinals.

 

Region 1
District 1
Tate (Cantonment)
Escambia (Pensacola)
Pine Forest (Pensacola)
Washington (Pensacola)
Pensacola
Pensacola Catholic
West Florida (Pensacola)
Northview (Century)

District 2
Gulf Breeze
Milton
Navarre
Pace
Niceville
Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach)
Fort Walton Beach
Jay

District 3
Crestview
Walton (DeFuniak Springs)
South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach)
Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville)
Baker
Freeport
Holmes County (Bonifay)
Vernon

District 4
Cottondale
Sneads
Marianna
Graceville
Chipley
Gadsden County (Havana)
Munroe (Quincy)
Blountstown

District 5
Mosley (Lynn Haven)
Arnold (Panama City Beach)
Bay (Panama City)
North Bay Haven (Panama City)
Rutherford (Panama City)
Bozeman (Panama City)
Port St. Joe
Wewahitchka

District 6
Wakulla (Crawfordville)
Franklin County (Eastpoint)
Liberty County (Bristol)
Rickards (Tallahassee)
Florida High (Tallahassee)
Maclay (Tallahassee)
FAMU (Tallahassee)
St. John Paul II (Tallahassee)

District 7
Chiles (Tallahassee)
Godby (Tallahassee)
North Florida Christian (Tallahassee)
Leon (Tallahassee)
Lincoln (Tallahassee)
Taylor County (Perry)
Aucilla Christian (Monticello)
Jefferson County (Monticello)

District 8
Hamilton County (Jasper)
Suwannee (Live Oak)
Madison County (Madison)
Bell
Branford
Lafayette (Mayo)
Dixie County (Cross City)
Trenton

District 9
Columbia (Lake City)
Fort White
Union County (Lake Butler)
Gainesville
Bradford (Starke)
Santa Fe (Alachua)
Hawthorne
Newberry

District 10
Buchholz (Gainesville)
Eastside (Gainesville)
P. K. Yonge (Gainesville)
Dunnellon
Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
Bronson
Chiefland
Williston

District 11
Forest (Ocala)
West Port (Ocala)
Vanguard (Ocala)
Palatka
North Marion (Citra)
Crescent City
Lake Weir (Ocala)

District 12
Fleming Island
Oakleaf (Orange Park)
Middleburg
Orange Park
Ridgeview (Orange Park)
Clay (Green Cove Springs)
Baker County (Glen St. Mary)
Keystone Heights

District 13
North Florida Educational (Jacksonville)
University Christian (Jacksonville)
Baldwin
Fernandina Beach
West Nassau (Callahan)
Yulee
Hilliard

District 14
Wolfson (Jacksonville)
Ed White (Jacksonville)
Riverside (Jacksonville)
Westside (Jacksonville)
Christs Church Academy (Jacksonville)
Providence (Jacksonville)
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

District 15
Terry Parker (Jacksonville)
Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville)
Raines (Jacksonville)
Ribault (Jacksonville)
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville)
Bolles (Jacksonville)
Episcopal (Jacksonville)

District 16
Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville)
Mandarin (Jacksonville)
Sandalwood (Jacksonville)
Englewood (Jacksonville)
First Coast (Jacksonville)
Fletcher (Neptune Beach)

Region 2
District 17
Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
Creekside (St. Johns)
Nease (Ponte Vedra)
Ponte Vedra
Menendez (St. Augustine)
St. Augustine
Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine)
St. Joseph (St. Augustine)

District 18
Flagler Palm Coast
DeLand
New Smyrna Beach
Spruce Creek (Port Orange)
University (Orange City)
Matanzas (Palm Coast)
Atlantic (Port Orange)
Taylor (Pierson)

District 19
Lake Mary
Seminole (Sanford)
Deltona
Mainland (Daytona Beach)
Pine Ridge (Deltona)
Seabreeze (Daytona Beach)
Father Lopez (Daytona Beach)
Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach)

District 20
East Ridge (Clermont)
Lake Minneola
South Lake (Groveland)
Leesburg
Tavares
Eustis
Mount Dora
Umatilla

District 21
Apopka
Evans (Orlando)
Lake Brantley
Hagerty (Oviedo)
Lyman (Longwood)
Oviedo
Winter Springs
Wekiva (Apopka)

District 22
Ocoee
West Orange (Winter Garden)
Horizon (Winter Garden)
Jones (Orlando)
Foundation Academy (Winter Garden)
Orangewood Christian (Maitland)
Trinity Preparatory (Winter Park)

District 23
Colonial (Orlando)
Timber Creek (Orlando)
University (Orlando)
Winter Park
Boone (Orlando)
Cypress Creek (Orlando)
Freedom (Orlando)

District 24
Lake Nona (Orlando)
Oak Ridge (Orlando)
Dr. Phillips (Orlando)
Olympia (Orlando)
Windermere
East River (Orlando)
Lake Howell (Winter Park)

District 25
Edgewater (Orlando)
Bishop Moore (Orlando)
Lake Buena Vista (Orlando)
First Academy (Orlando)
Orlando Christian Prep

District 26
George Jenkins (Lakeland)
Kathleen (Lakeland)
Bartow
Fort Meade
Mulberry
Tenoroc (Lakeland)
Lakeland Christian
Victory Christian (Lakeland)

District 27
Lake Gibson (Lakeland)
Lakeland
Haines City
Winter Haven
Auburndale
Lake Region (Eagle Lake)
Discovery (Lake Alfred)

District 28
Ridge Community (Davenport)
Celebration
Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee)
Davenport
Gateway (Kissimmee)
Lake Wales
Frostproof

District 29
Osceola (Kissimmee)
St. Cloud
Harmony
Liberty (Kissimmee)
Astronaut (Titusville)
Holy Trinity (Melbourne)
Melbourne Central Catholic

District 30
Heritage (Palm Bay)
Melbourne
Viera (Melbourne)
Bayside (Palm Bay)
Eau Gallie (Melbourne)
Merritt Island
Okeechobee
Cocoa

District 31
Centennial (Port St. Lucie)
Fort Pierce Central
Vero Beach
Rockledge
Satellite (Satellite Beach)
Palm Bay (Melbourne)
Space Coast (Cocoa)
Titusville

District 32
Martin County (Stuart)
Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie)
Belleview High
Fort Pierce Westwood
Jensen Beach
Port St. Lucie
South Fork (Stuart)
John Carroll (Fort Pierce)

Region 3
District 33
Springstead (Spring Hill)
South Sumter (Bushnell)
Villages
Weeki Wachee
Wildwood
Citrus (Inverness)
Lecanto
Crystal River

District 34
Hernando (Brooksville)
Central (Brooksville)
Nature Coast (Brooksville)
Land O Lakes
Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel)
Fivay (Hudson)
Bishop McLaughlin (Spring Hill)
Hudson

District 35
Sunlake (Land O'Lakes)
Gulf (New Port Richey)
River Ridge (New Port Richey)
Cypress Creek (Wesley Chapel)
Pasco (Dade City)
Wesley Chapel
Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills Christian

District 36
Anclote (Holiday)
East Lake (Tarpon Springs)
Palm Harbor University
Calvary Christian (Clearwater)
Indian Rocks Christian (Largo)
Mitchell (New Port Richey)
George Steinbrenner (Lutz)
Sickles (Tampa)

District 37
Clearwater
Dunedin
Countryside (Clearwater)
Largo
Osceola (Seminole)
Seminole (Seminole)
Pinellas Park (Largo)
Clearwater Central Catholic

District 38
Hollins (St. Petersburg)
Northeast (St. Petersburg)
St. Petersburg
Boca Ciega (Gulfport)
Gibbs (St. Petersburg)
Lakewood (St. Petersburg)
Northside Christian (St. Petersburg)
St. Petersburg Catholic

District 39
Alonso (Tampa)
Plant (Tampa)
Plant City
Strawberry Crest (Dover)
Durant (Plant City)
Newsome (Lithia)
Riverview (Riverview)
Sumner (Riverview)

District 40
Armwood (Seffner)
Freedom (Tampa)
Tampa Bay Tech
Wharton (Tampa)
Gaither (Tampa)
Hillsborough (Tampa)
Jesuit (Tampa)
Leto (Tampa)

District 41
Bloomingdale (Valrico)
East Bay (Gibsonton)
Lennard (Ruskin)
Spoto (Riverview)
Brandon
Chamberlain (Tampa)
King (Tampa)
Middleton (Tampa)

District 42
Blake (Tampa)
Jefferson (Tampa)
Robinson (Tampa)
Tampa Catholic
Berkeley Prep (Tampa)
Cambridge (Tampa)
Carrollwood (Tampa)
Seffner Christian

District 43
Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton)
Manatee (Bradenton)
Palmetto
Braden River (Bradenton)
Parrish
Southeast (Bradenton)
Hardee (Wauchula)
Bayshore (Bradenton)

District 44
Riverview (Sarasota)
Sarasota
Venice
Charlotte (Punta Gorda)
Port Charlotte
Booker (Sarasota)
DeSoto County (Arcadia)
Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota)

District 45
Immokalee
Sebring
Avon Park
Clewiston
Lake Placid
Lemon Bay (Englewood)
Moore Haven

District 46
Ida Baker (Cape Coral)
Riverdale (Fort Myers)
Cape Coral
Island Coast (Cape Coral)
Mariner (Cape Coral)
North Fort Myers

District 47
Cypress Lake (Fort Myers)
Dunbar (Fort Myers)
Fort Myers
Bishop Verot (Fort Myers)
Gateway (Fort Myers)
Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers)

District 48
Lehigh (Lehigh Acres)
East Lee County (Lehigh Acres)
South Fort Myers
Bonita Springs
Estero
Southwest Florida Christian (Fort Myers)

Region 4
District 49
Gulf Coast (Naples)
Palmetto Ridge (Naples)
Barron Collier (Naples)
Golden Gate (Naples)
Lely (Naples)
Naples
Community School (Naples)
First Baptist (Naples)
St. John Neumann (Naples)

District 50
Royal Palm Beach
Palm Beach Central (Wellington)
Wellington
Seminole Ridge (Westlake)
Glades Central (Belle Glade)
Kings Academy (West Palm Beach)
Glades Day (Belle Glade)
Pahokee

District 51
Jupiter
Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Lakes (West Palm Beach)
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens)
Inlet Grove (Riviera Beach)
Suncoast (Riviera Beach)
Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens)
Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach)

District 52
Forest Hill (West Palm Beach)
John I. Leonard (Greenacres)
Lake Worth
Park Vista (Lake Worth)
Atlantic (Delray Beach)
American Heritage (Delray Beach)
Boynton Beach
Somerset Canyons (Boynton Beach)

District 53
Boca Raton
Santaluces (Lantana)
Olympic Heights (Boca Raton)
West Boca Raton
St. Andrews (Boca Raton)
SLAM (West Palm Beach)
St. John Paul II (Boca Raton)

District 54
Coral Springs
Douglas (Parkland)
Monarch (Coconut Creek)
Coral Glades (Coral Springs)
Coconut Creek
Deerfield Beach
Coral Springs Charter
North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek)

District 55
Taravella (Coral Springs)
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach)
Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes)
Piper (Sunrise)
Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale)
Northeast (Oakland Park)
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale)
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)

District 56
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)
Fort Lauderdale
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Nova (Davie)
Plantation
South Plantation
Hollywood Hills
Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale)

District 57
Western (Davie)
Flanagan (Pembroke Pines)
American Heritage (Plantation)
Cypress Bay (Weston)
Cooper City
South Broward (Hollywood)
Avant Garde (Hollywood)
Pembroke Pines Charter

District 58
Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines)
West Broward (Pembroke Pines)
McArthur (Hollywood)
Everglades (Miramar)
Miramar
Hallandale
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
Somerset Academy Key (Deerfield Beach)

District 59
Dr. Krop (Miami)
American (Hialeah)
Miami Carol City
Miami Norland
Monsignor Pace (Miami)
North Miami Beach
Dade Christian (Miami)
True North (Miami)

District 60
Goleman (Miami)
Hialeah
Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens)
North Miami
Miami Central
Miami Edison
Miami Jackson
Miami Northwestern

District 61
Doral Academy
Miami
Miami Beach
Miami Springs
Washington (Miami)
Columbus (Miami)
Belen Jesuit (Miami)

District 62
Coral Gables
South Miami
Immaculata-LaSalle (Miami)
St. Brendan (Miami)
Westland Hialeah
Florida Christian (Miami)

District 63
South Dade (Homestead)
Miami Palmetto
Miami Killian
Westminster Christian (Miami)
Southwest Miami
Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest)
Archbishop Carroll (Miami)

District 64
Homestead
Miami Southridge
Somerset Charter (Silver Palms)
Palm Glades Prep (Miami)
Palmer Trinity (Miami)
Somerset Academy Charter South Homestead
Key West