6A
REGION 1
This is one of the more competitive Region's in any class in the playoffs. Last year Seminole came out of this Region and ended up State Champion. That could easily happen again this year.
Deland(9-1) at Orange Park(10-0)
Deland's one loss kept them from being District Champs and now they have to start the playoffs on the road. There will be plenty of running in this with the two horses at Deland, Shontrelle Johnson and Pop Saunders going against the three headed attack at Orange Park. Deland lost in the first round last year(6A) while Orange Park was a quarterfinalist in 5A. This game is straight toss up where turnovers will probably decide it.
Sandalwood(8-2) at Mainland(8-2)
Mainland played one of the toughest schedules in the state so they are battle tested. The big win over Deland a week ago has given this team confidence, they built on it with a solid win over cross town rival Seabreeze on Friday night. Sandalwood will have a problem matching up with the speed and play-making ability of Mainland's skill position talent, the key for them is QB play. The Mainland defense will have to be the driving force behind this playoff run. We like Mainland in this one.
Timber Creek(6-4) at Seminole(8-2)
Timber Creek has a balanced attack with Tyler Marincov at QB and RB Isiah Bolden. Both players will need to be at their best against a fast Seminole defense that has a lot experience from last year's State Title. RB Toby Durham is the horse for the Seminole's and they will stick to the ground based attack that has led them to an 8-2 mark. Seminole has a great win over Mainland and enters the playoffs with five straight wins, look for them to make it six after Friday night.
Lake Brantley(7-3) at Winter Park(9-1)
Lake Brantley was in the State Title Game three years ago down in Dolphin Stadium and have been a consistent playoff team ever since. This year they have struggled at times offensively, but have a tough, stout defense to rely on that is lead by DL Danny Palmer. Winter Park's lone loss came to Edgewater mid-season and this offense has been explosive at times. They have averaged 45 points in their last four games and are riding a wave of confidence. The defense is good enough to keep Lake Brantley in check, Winter Park should advance here.
REGION 2
Intriguing Region with Orlando powers Boone, Apopka, Olympia, and Dr. Phillips squaring off in the first two rounds. Whoever emerges from there will be in good position to make a run. Boca Raton is a dangerous team that is playing great football.
Boone(7-3) at Apopka(9-1)
Boone started very slowly this year getting blown out in three of their first five games. They responded with five straight wins down the stretch. The Braves were in the State Title Game in 2007 at home in the Citrus Bowl. Apopka lost a tough district game to Olympia, but got the District Title when Olympia was forced to forfeit some games. They will run the ball down your throat with Tom Smith and then do it again. The lack of passing game might hurt, but it won't be this week where Apopka just has too much talent for Boone.
Olympia(8-2) at Dr. Phillips(10-0)
Olympia was forced to forfeit some games when Jerius Pace was ruled ineligible. However they beat Apopka without him and this team can go as far as Trevor Siemian can take them. The outstanding QB will keep them in every game. Dr. Phillips will rely on their great depth and the play-making ability of RB Demetrius Hart and WR Kenny Shaw. While they like to run the ball, they can make some plays through the air. This is one of the best match-ups in the state in round one and is a toss-up.
Seminole Ridge(7-3) at Treasure Coast(7-3)--at Lawnwood Stadium
Treasure Coast's defense can be one of the best in the state with headliner's Jeff Luc, Deon Rogers, Lamarcus Brutus, Will Foley, and Keelin Smith. Offensively, they have struggled mightily at times, they might need the defense to score some points throughout this playoff run. Seminole Ridge has a superb play-maker in WR Jeacky Charles, but will need to find a way to pick up tough yards on the ground. We like Treasure Coast to advance here.
Vero Beach(7-2) at Boca Raton(8-2)
Vero enters on a two game losing streak with losses to Treasure Coast and Palm Bay where the offense seems to have left them. Never an explosive attack, they will need to get the offense on track because Boca can score some points behind QB Eddie Sullivan. The Wake Forest commits has been brilliant for most of the year and he has this team poised to make a playoff run. The mid-season blowout to Glades Central is a little troubling long term, but not this week, Boca should advance.
REGION 3
Sometimes the forgotten Region with Region 4 being made up of Dade teams, it was two years ago that Deerfield took the National Champion Miami Northwestern team to the wire in the Orange Bowl. All 8 teams have a legit shot of getting hot and advancing out of this Region.
Plantation(7-3) at Deerfield Beach(7-3)
Plantation needed to win a playoff to get in, but they are a very dangerous team. QB Imonni Carswell has come on lately and RB Michael Anderson can do some damage on the ground. Plantation is going to need the OL to protect Carswell against a fierce pass rush of Deerfield. Deerfield pretty much did what they were supposed to this year. Athlete Donte Dotson is special and there is a ton of speed here, but they have to be more consistent. A solid win over Boyd Anderson last Friday night bodes well going forward. This game could go either way, but we like Plantation to go on the road and steal one to open the playoffs.
Northeast(5-5) at Miramar(9-1)
A tale of two seasons for the Hurricanes of Northeast. They opened 1-4 in Donnell Bennett's debut season, but have turned it around in the second half closing 4-1. They have a big, fast, talented defense led by DE Bryant Dubose that they will need to rely on to make a run. There is some concern at RB with Audry Woodson's injury and Timothy Baker's suspension. A huge win over previously unbeaten Ely has Northeast entering the playoffs' on a high note. Miramar's lone hiccup was to St. Thomas and they played them as well as anyone. A stiff defense has pitched five shutouts and held four other teams to less than seven points. The offense can be a concern at times, they will need QB Ryan Williams to find WR Ivan McCartney for some big plays. Williams needs to find some consistency. This should be a defensive slugfest, but Miramar appears to have more offensive firepower.
Dr. Krop(6-4) at Everglades(5-5)
Everglades is an unusual District Champion at 5-5, but they opened 0-3 and got the big win at Cypress Bay 14-13. They were left out of the playoffs last year when they were the odd team out of a three team race. Krop has been in every game this year, but were on the wrong end of some close ones (lost to Jackson by 3, Miami Springs by 1, Coral Reef by 8, and Carol City by 12). They will need to find a way to win the close game going forward. We like Krop to go on the road and advance.
Cypress Bay(5-5) at Carol City(6-4)
Carol City suffered an early season setback when star WR and Miami commit Allen Hurns was injured. The offense has struggled as a result, but the defense has stiffened and kept them in every game. They enter the playoffs coming off a tough loss to Southridge. Cypress Bay has lost three straight as they enter the playoffs. Coach Guandalo will have the Lightning ready to play, but they lack balance, right now they are a run only team. They should find it tough to run the ball on the Chief's and we think that Carol City advances.
REGION 4
No secret here, the highly anticipated re-match between Northwestern and Central is only one win for each away. The winner is seen as the 6A favorite in the eyes of many. Columbus and potentially Southridge lurk as spoilers. Northwestern has made three straight title games, winning two.
Coral Gables(6-4) at Northwestern(9-1)- at Traz Powell Stadium
Northwestern has as much talent as any team in the state. They suffered a hiccup vs. Booker T. Washington, but have rolled through the rest of the schedule including a big nationally televised win over Central. QB Teddy Bridgewater has a host of weapons to work with including Michaelee Harris, Eli Rogers, and Corvin Lamb. Gables is going to try to run time off the clock with Jarvis Bridge and hope to get his game into the second half. It is unlikely that they will be able to contain the Bull attack however, MNW wins going away.
Central(9-1) at Columbus(9-1)--at FIU Stadium
Central enters coming off a terrific win over previously unbeaten city rival Booker T. Washington. QB Jeffrey Godfrey set a new Dade County passing record for career yards and he headlines an elite Rocket attack. RB Brandon Gainer, WR Charles Gaines, and WR Josh Reese are D-1 talents that have one goal in mind- a State Title. The defense has been much improved. Another year, another terrific Columbus team enters the playoffs in the toughest bracket in the state. Two years ago Columbus beat Central in round one, but they have lost to Northwestern the last two years in the playoffs. RB Jakhari Gore has been spectacular, he will need to have a huge game in this one. Columbus's lone loss came to Northwestern 15-13 and they have blown everyone else out except South Dade. This appears to be Columbus's best team and they should bring this game into the 4th quarter, but Central just has too much.
South Dade(8-2) at Ferguson(6-4)--at Tropical Park
South Dade has a very talented team that rebounded from back to back losses by 4 and 6 points to enter the playoffs on a six game winning streak. The offense has been consistently good, never scoring less than 20 points. Ferguson lost to Key West last week and they should struggle to score in this one. Their defense will need to keep them in this one, but South Dade is running hot and they move on to round 2.
Sunset(5-5) at Southridge(9-0)--at Harris Field
Sunset has not done much this season to inspire confidence that they can hand unbeaten Southridge their first loss of the year. The Spartan's are one of the better stories in Dade, they are a program that is rich in tradition, including some State Titles. These teams met on 10/16 with Southridge winning 32-6, we expect a similar result Friday night.