So for example if 40 schools in the entire state met the criteria for the open division, how would figure out who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t? 

My vote, 1 open division with 12-16 teams and then 3 classifications.   Based on data from LAZ, school population really doesn't matter much so make each one larger (bigger districts) for small, medium and large.  Other schools can go independent or SSAA. 

Yeah I know. It’s not a public/private problem. It’s an access to top talent issue.    The metro/suburban experiment was the best way they could come up with to counter that advantage. The problem was there was too many classes. Like there is now. I actually like the idea of the metro/suburban but with only 6 classes total and no rural. The rural would be the starting point for the smallest of the 3 suburban classes.    If the FHSAA doesn’t want to fix the issue then all the teams that don’t like it can leave until enough are gone to create a new association. Until then we gotta live with what we are presented.    Another way would be to cut the classes to 5 and have an open division for teams who get a certain amount of agreed upon transfers for that year.    I got the ideas but no one ever listens to poor ole Nolebull 

The areas that have the most talent that recruits it the best by whatever means you can justify, wins the most.  That is the bottom line no matter how you paint it.  That's what all the teams you mentioned have in common, be it public or private.  But the publics that resorted to doing this did so to level the playing field with the few privates that were dominating in the early 2000's.   When a new face appears ( ie... Flanagan HS or West Boca) to win a state championship, it was in those heavily populated areas of the state where they could get those exceptional Jimmy's and Joe's.  Come on Nolebull even Larry, Curly and Mo could figure this out.  

They win because they are in the most talented area of the state. Broward is home to the nation’s best talent. And Dade. It’s a talent difference. North and Central FL just don’t have the same type of jimmy’s and Joe’s. It’s why MNW and MC can combine for 18 or so titles. Not sure without looking it up but it’s up there. Lakeland has like 10. Armwood, Plant and Jefferson have a combined 8 in a 10 year stretch.    The thing these publics all have in common is they are in areas that do have immense talent. When Armwood went to the title game and lost like 5 years in a row to Dade teams it’s because they were out-talented.    Thats the bottom line. The areas with the most talent win the most. Not much more complicated than that