FHSAA site playoff brackets now updated for semifinal matchups. Not what we expected.

[Rattlin Steele]

Based on previous posts it was supposed to be STA @ Lakeland and N'ville @ Manatee in 5A based on the end of season rankings.  

Now-published matchups are STA @ Manatee and N'ville @ Lakeland!

So it appears they did not seed based on the "end of regular season" rankings which were:

1 Lakeland

2 Manatee

3 Niceville

10 STA

 

[Longtime Observer]

8 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Based on previous posts it was supposed to be STA @ Lakeland and N'ville @ Manatee in 5A based on the end of season rankings.  

Now-published matchups are STA @ Manatee and N'ville @ Lakeland!

So it appears they did not seed based on the "end of regular season" rankings which were:

1 Lakeland

2 Manatee

3 Niceville

10 STA

 

Apparently, the "computer" updated ratings again and it's STA @ Manatee and Niceville at Lakeland. Of course, given the secret formula, we can't be sure the FHSAA simply hopes for an STA-Lakeland final. 

[KeemD321]

Shocked that they released them tonight 

[KeemD321]

Looks like the game everyone expected to be the state game in 2A is happening next week. Another battle of reigning champs. Cocoa @ Cardinal Mooney 

[Jullian]

49 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Based on previous posts it was supposed to be STA @ Lakeland and N'ville @ Manatee in 5A based on the end of season rankings.  

Now-published matchups are STA @ Manatee and N'ville @ Lakeland!

So it appears they did not seed based on the "end of regular season" rankings which were:

1 Lakeland

2 Manatee

3 Niceville

10 STA

 

Yep. That’s what I had using final season point rankings. 

[DarterBlue2]

5 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

Apparently, the "computer" updated ratings again and it's STA @ Manatee and Niceville at Lakeland. Of course, given the secret formula, we can't be sure the FHSAA simply hopes for an STA-Lakeland final. 

That is exactly what they hoped for. This whole system sucks! No transparency at all. Note that if they were revising the rankings based on the playoffs, Osceola would most certainly be hosting a semifinal based on the their win last night. Instead, they are traveling to Gainesville to play Buchholz. 

It is, what it is. 

[ohs vargas]

5 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

That is exactly what they hoped for. This whole system sucks! No transparency at all. Note that if they were revising the rankings based on the playoffs, Osceola would most certainly be hosting a semifinal based on the their win last night. Instead, they are traveling to Gainesville to play Buchholz. 

It is, what it is. 

Bingo! but the only team benfiting from this is STA, shocker!

FHSAA doing everything to get a STA vs Lakeland in the ship by any means necessary lol.

[nolebull813]

39 minutes ago, ohs vargas said:

Bingo! but the only team benfiting from this is STA, shocker!

FHSAA doing everything to get a STA vs Lakeland in the ship by any means necessary lol.

It should be the 2 best teams. Manatee has had an atrocious playoff path. Their regular season left alot to be desired too. Lakeland and STA are by far the 2 best teams left in the class. Manatee is benefitting from one of the worst regions in the history of the FHSAA 

[ohs vargas]

1 hour ago, nolebull813 said:

It should be the 2 best teams. Manatee has had an atrocious playoff path. Their regular season left alot to be desired too. Lakeland and STA are by far the 2 best teams left in the class. Manatee is benefitting from one of the worst regions in the history of the FHSAA 

I agree with everything you stated, regardless of how bad Manatees region is, all roads were leading to STA vs Lakeland to go to the ship based on rankings.

Now all of sudden computer updated rankings, none of it makes sense anymore.

Im just trying to understand how any of this works lol

[Nulli Secundus]

56 minutes ago, ohs vargas said:

I agree with everything you stated, regardless of how bad Manatees region is, all roads were leading to STA vs Lakeland to go to the ship based on rankings.

 

Now all of sudden computer updated rankings, none of it makes sense anymore.

 

Im just trying to understand how any of this works lol

 

[Rattlin Steele]

Have a buddy who is related to someone in the school who is definitely "In the Know".  He inquired on my behalf and told me this:

() = my comments

The rankings have been recomputed after every round and it seems the schools had this info (but it wasn't updated on the FSHAA site).  Going into the regional finals last night, 5A had Manatee clearly at the top followed by Lakeland, Lincoln, and Niceville tightly bunched in that order.  So close that Niceville thought they might overtake Lakeland if they won against Lincoln.  The rankings were recomputed after last night's results.  Niceville finished 3rd behind Lakeland by .103 pts. 

----

These new rankings are now shown on the FSHAA website. 

So contrary to the FHSAA rules that were cited in an earlier post, they did not use the end-of-regular-season rankings.

From our Nicevillian POV it didn't matter much really.  We thought we would travel to Manatee, instead we're visiting Lakeland, although personally I would have preferred Manatee as we all know that playing Lakeland at home is brutal.  Unsure of Manatee's fan fervor.

Last night at the conclusion of the game I knew something wasn't adding up with regard to the cited rule, because the stadium announcer and radio crew said we won't know what's happening next for the team till later despite the fact that all the regional final results were known by then.   So now I understand why -- the FHSAA was going to do another round of rankings later in the night and those ranking would determine the semifinal host sites.

It worked out well for those clamoring for an Lakeland/STA championship game since that possibility now exists (and is likely). 

When I get some time I'm going to try and re-compare for the other classes out of curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jullian]

Look the way Aquinas has been playing I think they go into Manatee as an underdog. Their defense is full of holes & they don’t start playing football till the 2cd qtr. This is FAR from a gimme for STA. 

[DarterBlue2]

42 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Have a buddy who is related to someone in the school who is definitely "In the Know".  He inquired on my behalf and told me this:

() = my comments

The rankings have been recomputed after every round and it seems the schools had this info (but it wasn't updated on the FSHAA site).  Going into the regional finals last night, 5A had Manatee clearly at the top followed by Lakeland, Lincoln, and Niceville tightly bunched in that order.  So close that Niceville thought they might overtake Lakeland if they won against Lincoln.  The rankings were recomputed after last night's results.  Niceville finished 3rd behind Lakeland by .103 pts. 

----

These new rankings are now shown on the FSHAA website. 

So contrary to the FHSAA rules that were cited in an earlier post, they did not use the end-of-regular-season rankings.

From our Nicevillian POV it didn't matter much really.  We thought we would travel to Manatee, instead we're visiting Lakeland, although personally I would have preferred Manatee as we all know that playing Lakeland at home is brutal.  Unsure of Manatee's fan fervor.

Last night at the conclusion of the game I knew something wasn't adding up with regard to the cited rule, because the stadium announcer and radio crew said we won't know what's happening next for the team till later despite the fact that all the regional final results were known by then.   So now I understand why -- the FHSAA was going to do another round of rankings later in the night and those ranking would determine the semifinal host sites.

It worked out well for those clamoring for an Lakeland/STA championship game since that possibility now exists (and is likely). 

When I get some time I'm going to try and re-compare for the other classes out of curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can tell with certainty that 7A and 6A are matched up exactly as they would have based on the rankings at the end of the regular season. I believe, but am not certain, since I did not follow it as closely, that the same applies to 4A.

So, they are not even following their current rules. Oh well ... we are where we are and that's all I will say. 

On another note, Manatee is about as tough a place to travel to as is Niceville, but not quite as tough as Lakeland. Good luck you have a long trip. 

[Rattlin Steele]

40 minutes ago, DarterBlue2 said:

On another note, Manatee is about as tough a place to travel to as is Niceville, but not quite as tough as Lakeland. Good luck you have a long trip. 

Alas I won't be able to make it.  Hope our radio crew is and holding out hope it might be streamed on NFHS network.  Not showing that at the moment, but I know Venice always seems to stream their playoff games there and so far not showing for them either. Not sure how it works but neither N'ville or Lakeland are NFHS network schools so maybe not.  

I do know that in 2020 during covid I did not attend the Edgewater @ N'ville playoff game in person and yet the game was streamed on NFHS using an independent broadcast crew and publisher was listed as FHSAA (usually it says the home school's name).  I know our radio guys were not thrilled they had to give up their inside booth.  Fingers crossed.

[Longtime Observer]

1 hour ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Have a buddy who is related to someone in the school who is definitely "In the Know".  He inquired on my behalf and told me this:

() = my comments

The rankings have been recomputed after every round and it seems the schools had this info (but it wasn't updated on the FSHAA site).  Going into the regional finals last night, 5A had Manatee clearly at the top followed by Lakeland, Lincoln, and Niceville tightly bunched in that order.  So close that Niceville thought they might overtake Lakeland if they won against Lincoln.  The rankings were recomputed after last night's results.  Niceville finished 3rd behind Lakeland by .103 pts. 

----

These new rankings are now shown on the FSHAA website. 

So contrary to the FHSAA rules that were cited in an earlier post, they did not use the end-of-regular-season rankings.

From our Nicevillian POV it didn't matter much really.  We thought we would travel to Manatee, instead we're visiting Lakeland, although personally I would have preferred Manatee as we all know that playing Lakeland at home is brutal.  Unsure of Manatee's fan fervor.

Last night at the conclusion of the game I knew something wasn't adding up with regard to the cited rule, because the stadium announcer and radio crew said we won't know what's happening next for the team till later despite the fact that all the regional final results were known by then.   So now I understand why -- the FHSAA was going to do another round of rankings later in the night and those ranking would determine the semifinal host sites.

It worked out well for those clamoring for an Lakeland/STA championship game since that possibility now exists (and is likely). 

When I get some time I'm going to try and re-compare for the other classes out of curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not mentioned, but probably highly relevant, is the impact of Miami Central- who won every single game other than Lakeland on the field- having their record flipped to 0-9. Lakeland, understandably, was WAY head of everyone else in 5A BEFORE the reversal of Central's record. Then they were barely ahead going into the playoffs and now it is what it is. Secretive formulas/processes should be presumed fraudulent. If they're not fraudulent, the FHSAA could simply reveal all of the details etc.

[Longtime Observer]

29 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Alas I won't be able to make it.  Hope our radio crew is and holding out hope it might be streamed on NFHS network.  Not showing that at the moment, but I know Venice always seems to stream their playoff games there and so far not showing for them either. Not sure how it works but neither N'ville or Lakeland are NFHS network schools so maybe not.  

I do know that in 2020 during covid I did not attend the Edgewater @ N'ville playoff game in person and yet the game was streamed on NFHS using an independent broadcast crew and publisher was listed as FHSAA (usually it says the home school's name).  I know our radio guys were not thrilled they had to give up their inside booth.  Fingers crossed.

We have a guy who does a good job streaming the games on Facebook. Also streamed on hudl, but with the god-awful "robo-cam" which very rarely captures big plays.

[ohs vargas]

17 hours ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Alas I won't be able to make it.  Hope our radio crew is and holding out hope it might be streamed on NFHS network.  Not showing that at the moment, but I know Venice always seems to stream their playoff games there and so far not showing for them either. Not sure how it works but neither N'ville or Lakeland are NFHS network schools so maybe not.  

I do know that in 2020 during covid I did not attend the Edgewater @ N'ville playoff game in person and yet the game was streamed on NFHS using an independent broadcast crew and publisher was listed as FHSAA (usually it says the home school's name).  I know our radio guys were not thrilled they had to give up their inside booth.  Fingers crossed.

Lucky for you, Manatee has been broadcasting every playoff game on youtube.

A lot better sound and quality than anything on the NFHS network. 

Im sure they will stream the STA game as well.

 

[Terrapin]

They should have just did a coin flip to determine the match ups.

[Rattlin Steele]

I did the comparison for all the classifications.  

The FHSAA "Football Sport Manual 2024-25 Edition" date 9/24/2024 clearly states that semifinal round seeding and host site determination will use the rankings from the end of the regular season:

4.7.2.2.2 State Semifinals

(a) Dates and Times. See the football webpage at FHSAA.com.

(b) Bracketing. Teams will be seeded based on the FHSAA MaxPreps Rankings at the conclusion of the regular season. The one (1) seed will play the four (4) seed and the two (2) seed will play the three (3) seed.

(c) Host Schools. Teams with the highest regular season FHSAA MaxPreps Ranking will be designated “home” team.

 

As posted above they did not adhere to that rule and continued to re-compute rankings after each round.  The rankings from after the regional finals on 11/29 were used instead.

Matchups in classes 6A, 5A, and 4A were affected by this change.

However, host sites are generally the main concern and nothing changed here as luck would have it.  Only the opponent at the host sites changed.

1st # after school name is ranking of 11/29.  2nd # is ranking at the end of regular season.  

7A
1	Venice	1	1
2	Lake Mary	2	2
3	Dr. Phillips	3	5
4	Columbus	5	8
6A
1	W Boca Raton	1	2
2	Buchholz	3	4
3	Osceola	4	7
4	Southridge	6	6
5A
1	Manatee	1	2
2	Lakeland	2	1
3	Niceville	3	3
4	STA	4	10
4A
1	AHP	1	1
2	Jones	2	2
3	Naples	4	7
4	St Aug	5	5
3A
1	Raines	1	1
2	Eau Gallie	2	2
3	Northwestern	3	3
4	Booker	8	18
2A
1	Gasden Co	1	1
2	Card. Mooney	2	2
3	Cocoa	3	5
4	BT Washington	5	8
1A
1	Cham-Madonna	1	1
2	Card. Newman	2	2
3	Clearwater Cen	3	4
4	TCA	7	11

[DarterBlue2]

4 hours ago, Rattlin Steele said:

7A       1 Venice 1 1 2 Lake Mary 2 2 3 Dr. Phillips 3 5 4 Columbus 5 8         6A       1 W Boca Raton 1 2 2 Buchholz 3 4 3 Osceola 4 7 4 Southridge 6 6

While the rankings for 7A and 6A changed, it didn't affect the matchups in the semis because the final four's relative rankings didn't change. In the case of 5A they did; hence, the change in opponent.

But, it's clear that the FHSAA violated its own rule in reranking the teams to account for playoff games. With that in mind, it begs the question: what else have they done contrary to what they were supposed to do? That question, unfortunately, will never be answered. 

[Ray Icaza]

4 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

While the rankings for 7A and 6A changed, it didn't affect the matchups in the semis because the final four's relative rankings didn't change. In the case of 5A they did; hence, the change in opponent.

But, it's clear that the FHSAA violated its own rule in reranking the teams to account for playoff games. With that in mind, it begs the question: what else have they done contrary to what they were supposed to do? That question, unfortunately, will never be answered. 

Not a complaint as I prefer the travel to Gainesville as opposed to Boca Raton.  It changed us from the 4 seed to the 3 seed thus the new opponent.

[DarterBlue2]

2 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

Not a complaint as I prefer the travel to Gainesville as opposed to Boca Raton.  It changed us from the 4 seed to the 3 seed thus the new opponent.

Ray, it did. You were always going to be travelling based on the end of season ranking. But yes, it would have been to West Boca. But the issue I do have, though, is how are you the number thee seed if you just took down the number one seed. That, my friend, makes no sense to me at all. Osceola should be hosting as the new number one or number two seed based on the Armwood win. 

[Ray Icaza]

26 minutes ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Ray, it did, but it didn't change your matchup. You were always going to be travelling to Gainesville. The issue I do have, though, is how are you the number thee seed if you just took down the number one seed. That, my friend, makes no sense to me at all. Osceola should be hosting as the new number one or number two seed. 

Not to be argumentative but if the posted chart is correct, we were ranked #7 at season's end which translated to a #4 seed that would play the #1 seed which was W Boca Raton.  When the new rankings came out on 11/29 after beating Armwood our overall ranking improved to #4, good enough for the #3 seed taking on the #2 seed Buchholz.  I am only going by the accuracy of the posted numbers on this thread.  

[DarterBlue2]

30 minutes ago, Ray Icaza said:

Not to be argumentative but if the posted chart is correct, we were ranked #7 at season's end which translated to a #4 seed that would play the #1 seed which was W Boca Raton.  When the new rankings came out on 11/29 after beating Armwood our overall ranking improved to #4, good enough for the #3 seed taking on the #2 seed Buchholz.  I am only going by the accuracy of the posted numbers on this thread.  

Yes, if you look at my revised post above yours, I acknowledged that. But, even if you were 7 going into the playoffs, beating Armwood at their place, combined with your other playoff victories, should have had you ranked no less than number two in my opinion, if not number one. Therefore, if they were constantly revising the rankings, I don't understand how Osceola is only number three. 

[Ray Icaza]

49 minutes ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Yes, if you look at my revised post above yours, I acknowledged that. But, even if you were 7 going into the playoffs, beating Armwood at their place, combined with your other playoff victories, should have had you ranked no less than number two in my opinion, if not number one. Therefore, if they were constantly revising the rankings, I don't understand how Osceola is only number three. 

That we are in agreement with as I always considered us an overall Top 25 team in the state, but we never got that ranking until this final one came out.  Having us out of the Top 50 literally all year was unconscionable, but we are used to this treatment and simply laugh it off then just go play the game.  That does our talking and that is what really matters.