4A
Region 1
Fort Walton Beach(5-4) at Pine Forest(8-2)
There has not been much a problem scoring points for Pine Forest, but the defense has not been as good as years past. After beating Niceville by 3 points two different times last year, they lost 28-20 this year. Fort Walton Beach has lost four of six entering the playoffs and they need to find a way to get the offense back on track. Pine Forest is as seasoned of playoff program as any in the state, they get their re-match with Niceville.
Pace(6-4) at Niceville(9-0)
Niceville boasts one of the state's most productive offenses and they have rolled through their schedule including a week 5 win over Pace 42-28 on the road. RB Roy Finch is a special weapon and WR Kody Williams can beat you outside. They are the favorite in the Northern half of the draw. Pace entered the season with high expectations, but come in just 6-4, their losses are to quality playoff teams however. They are not an explosive offense, thus will need the defense to keep this one close. Niceville seemingly has too much and they advance.
Ed White(7-3) at Lincoln(7-3)--at Chile High School
Ed White has walked up and down the field on offense with RB Casey Turner, the problem is that teams have done the same against them. The least number of points they allowed this year was 22 and they gave up 41 twice. Lincoln's defense is much better, although not nearly as solid as a year ago when they were in Orlando. They seem to have found their offense down the stretch, the Trojan's get one step closer to returning to championship weekend.
Leon(6-3) at Columbia(7-2-1)
Leon boasts a high powered offense with QB Raleigh Devore, RB Eric Williams, and WR Brandon Graham, the problem has been stopping anyone. USF commit Tiger Powell is a bruising runner for the Tigers and WR Jamal Montague has stepped up outside. Columbia wins in a shootout.
Region 2
Hudson(5-5) at Gainesville(9-1)
Gainesville actually passed for more yards than they ran for, QB Ryan McGriff was excellent all year tossing 30 TD's. RB's Walter Holsey and Anquan Gainey get it done on the ground. Miami commits, LB Kevin Nelson and DB Devont'a Davis, headline a strong defense. That defense will see a great QB in Zack Wynn. The senior went for over 2,000 yards, over 900 of it to James Tello. Wynn chipped in over 500 on the ground. The Cobra defense has stopped no one however, Gainesville runs away in the second half.
Lake Weir(7-3) at Tarpon Springs(8-2)
The Spongers of Tarpon Springs lit up the scoreboard behind RB's Adrian Golden and Darius Daniels. They get just enough in the passing game to keep defenses honest, WR Sawas Damalos is capable of making big plays outside. While Lake Weir can score, the defense has had a hard time stopping the run which does not bode well for the Hurricanes in this one.
Haines City(5-4) at Edgewater(7-3)
Edgewater has been solid this year with losses to 6A playoff teams Dr. Phillips, Apopka, and Boone. They did beat Olympia which is a solid win. Haines City has not done much to inspire confidence, that same Olympia team beat the Hornet's 42-14 last week. Edgewater moves on to the second round.
St. Cloud(6-4) at Lake Gibson(6-3)
Lake Gibson limps into the playoffs after two losses. They will need better QB play from Quinshon Odom and rely on 1,000 yard rusher Remi Watson to move the ball on a susceptible St. Cloud defense. St. Cloud suffered a bad defeat to Deerfield Beach before the St. Thomas-Byrnes game, but they responded with six wins down the stretch. WR James Boone is their main weapon on offense. Lake Gibson defends their home field and advances.
Region 3
Sickles(8-2) at Armwood(9-1)
Few teams can match the talented depth of Armwood. Sophomore RB Matt Jones teams with junior QB Josh Grady and WR A.J. King to form a potent trio of play-makers. The defense is excellent, starting with Defensive Linemen Alton Bailey and Theodore Jackson. Sickles quietly had an 8-2 year, RB Carey White was sensational with 1,500 yards and WR Chris Nahat added some big play ability on the outside with 33 catches. Armwood is just too much for the Gryphons.
Hillsborough(7-3) at Largo(8-2)
Largo has made the state semi's the past two years in 5A, both times losing to State Champion St. Thomas. D.J. Key leads a host of talented runners and WR Myrick Gwynn is averaging 23+ yards per catch as a big weapon outside. The defense has had a few hiccups this year, but overall has been solid. Hillsborough is a team that can score with QB Tarean Austin and stud athletes Charles Lovett and Terrance Mitchell on the outside. Their defense let them down in losses to Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech down the stretch. This is one of the better first round match-ups in this class,
Ida Baker(8-2) at Charlotte(9-1)
Great story at Baker this year as they make the playoffs for the first time in school history. The defense was dominant for much of the year, but the loss of speedster Joseph Byrd leaves them without a big play threat on that side of the ball. Charlotte's balance with QB Kyle Midgett, WR Alex Mut and RB Mike Bellamy will test the Bulldog defense. Bellamy is a threat to score every time he touches it while Midgett can make things happen in the passing game. The Tarpons appear to be one of the most complete teams in the state and they get the home win Friday night.
Lakewood Ranch(6-4) at Cape Coral(10-0)
It was not always pretty, but Cape Coral finished the year unscathed, they have cleaned up the turnovers over the second half of the year and enter the playoffs looking like a tough team to send home. Jaylen Watkins, Spencer Boyd, Jeremy Davis, Prince Holloway, and Larry Gary are two way play-makers with a ton of speed. Lakewood Ranch enters the playoffs off of two solid wins (Hardee and Palmetto), they'll hope to get this game into the second half where Cape will feel some pressure. Jaylen has Cape too focused and the Seahawk's get their second round match-up with Charlotte.
Region 4
South Fork(5-5) at New Smyrna Beach(6-4)
South Fork is limping into the playoffs on three straight losses and four of five. The Bulldog's made a nice run last year in 5A and will hope to get a big game from RB Zach Fisher. Joe Johnson headlines the Barracuda defense that did a pretty good job against top offenses like Deland, Mainland, and Seabreeze. They have enough offense to send struggling South Fork home early this year.
Palm Bay(8-2) at Fort Pierce Central(5-4)
Palm Bay is no stranger to the playoffs and quietly went through the season at 8-2. QB Stephen Hughes threw 14 TD's on his way to over 1,000 yards and Palm Bay can run the ball. Central has struggled to get yards this year, but have been better down the stretch. We look for Palm Bay to win on the road.
Hollywood Hills(6-4) at Dwyer(9-1)
The opening week loss to Glades Central is a distant memory, the Panthers of Dwyer have won nine in a row---scoring 34+ in every one of them and pitching six shutouts with a total of 16 points scored in the other three. This is why many consider them to be the favorite for the State Title. Hollywood Hills does not have the firepower that Dwyer does, they will need to make this a reasonably low scoring game. RB Luis Vasquez is capable of churning out first downs. Dwyer just seems to have too much here, they advance.
Palm Beach Lakes(7-3) at Stranahan
Stranahan opened 0-2, but has since reeled off eight straight wins behind explosive QB Willie Tindal. Quality wins over South Broward, Northeast, and Hollywood Hills should be confidence boosters heading into the playoffs. Palm Beach Lakes won a solid game at Atlantic last weekend and sport a big win over Boca Raton. They have scored 30+ in three of their last four and are playing their best football.