Region 1
Bishop Kenny(8-2) at Pensacola(9-1)
An opening game 6-3 loss to Pine Forest is all that blemished the Tiger's of Pensacola's record. Few defenses have played as well nor as consistent, the most points they have given up is 14. They can score too as evidenced by the 69 they hung on Bay. The Crusader's have been solid this year, they hung with Jackson in a loss, but the defense is going to have to match Pensacola's in this one. It is a fairly long road trip for the opening week and Pensacola pulls away in the second half.
Choctawhatchee(7-3) at Andrew Jackson(10-0)
This is the second straight undefeated season for the Tigers of Andrew Jackson. The loss of Derek Owens to an age requirement rule will be felt, but there are plenty of play-makers on this team. Marquel Wade will get a chance to shine. The Indian's have the reverse road trip of Bishop Kenny. They opened 1-3, but have won 6 straight to enter the playoffs. There is some offensive firepower here, but Jackson has too much and they advance.
Menendez(5-5) at Clay(7-3)
The Clay Blue Devil's opened 1-3, but the losses to Fleming Island, Bishop Kenny, and Orange Park are solid. They have strung six wins together, largely behind an offense that is has averaged 40 points a game during that span. Menendez has not done much to inspire confidence this season, a 48-7 loss to cross town rival St. Augustine shows that there is a ways to go. Clay moves on here.
Bartram Trail(5-5) at St. Augustine(10-0)
The Yellow Jackets are unbeaten and besides a one point win over 3A District Champion North Marion in week one, they have pummeled the competition. QB Kyle West, RB Duane Brady, and WR Markis Merrill are trio of play-makers. The Bears will need QB Natan Peterman to be at his best this week, he has thrown for more than 1,500 yards, but needs to cutdown on the interceptions. These teams met in week two with St. Augustine winning 49-7, it looks like a similar result on Friday Night.
Region 2
Nature Coast(7-3) at North Marion(9-1)
Few backs can match the career of Nature Coast Tech's RB Tevin Drake. He has straight produced for a long time. QB Chuckie Looney at North Marion has done similar things. North Marion is the better overall team and the program is a consistent playoff team, often times going deep. North Marion contains Drake and advances to the second round.
Vanguard(5-5) at Dunnellon(9-1)
Bubba Black and Terrence Brooks headline a Dunnellon attack and both players are very dangerous with the ball in their hands. Vanguard struggled early in the year and don't see to have the consistency to compete in this game. Dunnellon rolls.
Lakewood(8-2) at Pasco(9-1)
D.J. Clower has guided an efficient offense this year for the Pirate's of Pasco. The defense has given up just seven points per game over their last eight games. Lakewood relies on Bernard Reedy to make plays offensively, he will need some help if they are to make a playoff run. Pasco advances, pulling away in the second half.
Land O' Lakes(9-1) at Jefferson(9-1)
Tradition rich Jefferson played a poor game vs. Plant in their lone loss. QB Quentin Williams was sensational this year: 2,666 yards and 31 TD's. His favorite target is junior WR Andre Davis(56-1017), but he has a host of options. The third of the Weatherford brothers is the QB for Land O' Lakes. He threw for 1,842 yards and 24 TD's, mainly to Will Irwin and Alex Robinson. It will be interesting to see if their pass defense can stop Jefferson. The Dragon's look to be too fast and too athletic for the Gator's.
Region 3
Braden River(6-4) at Winter Haven(9-1)
It is a tough, physical team at Braden River everything starts with bruising RB Tevin Bryant. The Pirate's are in tremendous shape and are one of the stronger teams in the state. The question is if they can move the ball on the vaunted Winter Haven D. They pitched six shutouts this season looking dominant most of the time. The offense has had spurts of explosiveness, they get enough points here to move on.
Lake Wales(8-1) at Southeast(7-3)
This is a battle with a pair of great QB's. Lake Wales QB Justin Shafer threw for 1,857 yards with 20 TD's. Javess Blue, Colton Davis, and Oshey Washington were the leading receiver's. Don't let the record fool you at Southeast, this team has played as well as anyone over the second half of the year. QB Dyron Speight, ATH Jon Dowling, and WR Boe Brand headline a terrific offense. It is their defense however that should carry them at home in this one.
Lehigh(5-5) at Riverdale(9-1)
These schools are rivals and just four miles apart. They met in week 3 with the Raider's of Riverdale winning 30-7. However, it is now a different team at Lehigh after the move of Larry Overstreet to QB. Lehigh had a five game winning streak snapped vs. unbeaten Cape Coral last week, but they showed a lot of heart and competitive desire. Riverdale is very deep and QB Nathan Gahafer gives them the ability to throw while RB Garrett Greenwell is a horse. It is an under-rated defense at Riverdale, they hold Lehigh in check and win a close one at home.
South Fort Myers(9-1) at Collier(9-1)
Great first round match-up between teams that met in the Kickoff Classic this year. Collier won that shootout. Collier lones blemish is rival Naples, but they responded with a big win over Lely, keeping the Trojan's out of the playoffs. They will try to use there spread running attack with RB's Torrey Campbell and Travis Weber getting the lion's share of carries. South counters with QB Dallas Crawford and WR Samual Watkins, a potent 1-2 duo. It might be RB Terrell Neal who needs the big game in this one however. This is a tough first round match-up that could go either way.
Region 4
Olympic Heights(6-4) at Merritt Island(9-1)
Merritt Island's lone loss came against powerful Cocoa. The Mustang's will rely on athlete T.J. Frederick along with a solid defense in these playoffs. That defense should match-up well with Olympic Heights, a team that is offensively limited. Merritt Island rolls in this one.
Westwood(6-3) at Archbishop McCarthy(10-0)--at Nova
Tremendous season for the Mavericks at Archbishop McCarthy. They look a little like St. Thomas out there for good reason---a host of coaches are from St. Thomas. This team plays great defense and has been surprisingly consistent as an offense. Westwood has been much, much better over the second half where the schedule softened. WR Leon Shorter is the big play weapon for QB Travares Copeland. This should be a great game, but McCarthy has been more consistent.
Jackson(7-3) at Belen(7-3)
Jackson is one of the better stories in Dade, they lost to Booker T., Northwestern, and Apopka but handled everyone else. They have done it the old fashioned way: winning the turnover battle and solid defense. Robenson Therezie is the top offensive threat. Belen opened with two losses, but turned it around with a win over Gulliver in week three. No less than five players have combined to rush for 2,192 yards. Nic Platt will try to get something going through the air. Jackson wants that re-match with Booker T. Washington, and they get it.
Norland(5-5) at Washington(9-1)--at Curtis Park
The Tornadoes played the second half of the year banged up, particularly RB Eduardo Clements and QB Jeremiah Hay. Clements has returned, but Hay has not, Bidler Dorlean has filled in admirably, but he has not protected the ball as well as Hay. He has the weapons on the outside with Quinton Dunbar and Jayvon Wrentz. Norland is going to ride RB Duke Johnson as long as they can. The sensational sophomore rushed for over 1,400 yards, but has not gotten a lot of help. Booker T. Washington starts their playoff run with a solid win.