The cluster involving the Orlando area’s top Class 7A Region 2 football playoff contenders somewhat leveled itself out after Friday’s games, and the odd team out looks to be Lake Brantley.
The top eight teams in each of the four regions in each class advance to the state playoffs. Brantley (6-3) is ranked No. 8 in 7A-2, but the problem for the Patriots is that No. 9 Creekside (4-5) will bump the them out as the 7A District 1 champion. District winners are guaranteed playoff spots.
Brantley went 0-3 in District 3 and would be out if the playoffs started today, but 11 other Orlando-area 7A teams would be in the 32-team 7A bracket.
The three 7A-3 teams that beat Brantley, Lake Mary, Seminole and Hagerty, all look to be in good shape. Undefeated DeLand, ranked No. 2 in the classification, is a lock and as it stands Winter Park, West Orange, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, St. Cloud, Lake Nona and East Ridge would also get playoff berths
East Ridge does have a tough Friday game against Tavares. The Knights likely need to win to remain in playoff position.
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DeLand has two games left, facing Lake Gibson (5-4) at home Friday, and a huge game next week at 7A No. 3 Spruce Creek for the District 2 title. That’s a resumption of an earlier postponement. DeLand was leading the Hawks 14-0 with 8:07 left in the first quarter when an unrelenting thunderstorm caused a halt. That game resumes at 6 p.m., Tuesday.
In 6A Region 1, Evans (7-2) is No. 6 and Oviedo (7-2) No. 7, even though Oviedo defeated the Trojans last week. Both appear safe.
In 6A-2, South Lake and Kissimmee Osceola are locks as highly-ranked district champs.
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In 5A, Sentinel Super 16 No. 1 Edgewater, is No. 2 in Region 2, while district counterpart Winter Springs (6-3) is hovering in contention at No. 7. The Bears face a tough matchup Friday night at rival Lake Howell (6-3), which is out of the picture in 6A unless drastic things happen. The Silverhawks would like nothing more than to spoil Winter Springs’ hopes. The Bears have not reached the playoffs since 2013.
Edgewater (9-0) is ranked third in 5A behind region rival Lakeland (8-1) and Delray Beach Atlantic (9-0).
In 4A, Jones (7-2) is ruling Region 2 as it did last year, when the Tigers were the 4A state runners-up. Jones is No. 1 in the region and No. 3 in the class.
In 3A, Bishop Moore (9-0) is the No. 1 team in Region 2. Tavares (5-4) sits No. 7 and should advance no matter the outcome of its game at East Ridge.
In 1A, there remains a big question mark. Will parents of The First Academy players see a victory in their plea to the FHSAA to allow the Royals to partake in the postseason. Attorney’s representing TFA players and parents emailed the FHSAA on Friday demanding that the association overturn a ruling that banned the Royals from the playoffs for 2024 and 2025. TFA was penalized for rules infractions.
TFA (4-5) is No. 10 in the 1A rankings and sits at No. 4 in Region 2. Orlando Christian Prep (6-3) is right behind the Royals at No. 5.
If the playoffs started today, 22 Orlando-area teams would qualify. TFA hopes to make that 23 and if the Royals are in the playoffs, according to the current rankings, they would host OCP in a first round game.
The FHSAA added two Florida Invitational Tournaments (FIT) this year. The format calls for 16 teams in each bracket that do not make the regular playoffs.
Region rankings
Teams are listed win in-loss records and power ranking.
(* denotes district champs, automatic playoff qualifiers)
(Team, record, power rating)
Class 7A Region 1
1. DeLand (8-0) 21.601
2. Spruce Creek (7-1) 18.123
3. *Boone (9-0) 17.540
4. *Lake Mary (6-3) 15.371
5. Winter Park (5-4) 10.245
6. Seminole (5-4) 9.992
7. Hagerty (5-4) 8.876
8. Lake Brantley (6-3) 7.659
9. *Creekside (4-5) 6.442
7A Region 2
1. *Venice (6-3) 16.207
2. Sarasota Riverview (7-1-1) 15.518
3. *Riverview (8-2) 15.246
4. *West Orange (8-1) 14.244
5. Plant City (7-3) 10.376
6. Ocoee (5-4) 5.916
7. Alonzo (6-3) 5.221
8. Winter Haven (6-3) 4.530
10. *Ridge Community (4-5) -0.489
Note: Ridge, as District 6 champion, will squeeze out whoever ends up in the No. 8 spot.
7A, Region 3
1. *Vero Beach (9-0) 22.901
2. *Jupiter (9-0) 15.137
3. Ft. Pierce Central (8-1) 12.584
4. *Dr. Phillips (7-2) 9.659
5. *St. Cloud (7-2) 9.571
6. Palm Beach Central (5-4) 8.248
7. Lake Nona (6-3) 7.303
8. East Ridge (6-3) 4.303
Note: East Ridge, losers of three straight, traded spots with Lake Nona this week.
Class 6A Region 1
1. *Buchholz (8-1) 21.500
2. Mandarin (8-1) 20.138
3. *Pace (8-1) 18.736
4. Nease (7-2) 17.865
5. Oakleaf (7-2) 16.146
6. Evans (7-2) 14.827
7. Oviedo (7-2) 11.459
8. Crestview (5-3) 10.813
Note: Lake Howell (6-3, 5.726) sits at No. 11, so the Silverhawks hold out slim hopes and need some help.
6A, Region 2
1, *Armwood (9-0) 20.689
2. *South Lake (8-1) 14.055
3. *Osceola (6-3) 12.591
4. Viera (6-3) 8.181
5. Riverview (5-3) 5.719
6. Melbourne (6-3) 4.775
7. *Durant (5-5) 4.678
8. Forest (6-3) 3.586
Note: Osceola lost last week to 4A Lake Wales but its strong strength of schedule will keep it in the top 3.
5A Region 5
1. *Lakeland (8-1) 21.660
2. *Edgewater (9-0) 17.795
3. *Gaither (8-1) 16.065
4. *Tampa Bay Tech (7-2) 14.247
5. Sebring (4-5) 8.442
6. Lake Gibson (5-4) 3.973
7. Winter Springs (6-3) 3.724
8. Wesley Chapel (5-4) 1.980
Note: Lakeland is No. 1 in 5A. Edgewater is No. 3 and Gaither No. 5.
4A Region 2
1. *Jones (7-2) 17.929
3. Lake Wales (7-2) 17.131
3. *Zephyrhills (9-0) 15.632
4. Auburndale (7-2) 12.473
5. *Vanguard (7-2) 11.647
6. *New Smyrna Beach (7-2) 10.062
7. Rockledge (3-6) 4.096
8. Lecanto (6-3) 2.698
Note: Deltona (4-5) and Leesburg (5-4) are at 10 and 11 and on the outside looking in. Leesburg’s loss to Lecanto last week knocked the Yellowjackets out of contention.
3A Region 2
1. *Bishop Moore (9-0) 17.631
2. Eau Gallie (6-3) 12.325
3. Merritt Island (5-3) 12.089
4. *Eastside (7-2) 11.436
5. South Sumter (6-3) 8.679
6. Titusville (4-5) 5.157
7. Tavares (5-4) 3.440
8. Dunnellon (4-6) 1.687
Note: Eau Gallie plays a make-up game at Merritt Island on Tuesday for the District 8 championship.
1A Region 2
1. *Carrollwood Day (8-0) 20.427
2. *Clearwater Central Catholic (7-2) 14.658
3. Lakeland Christian (7-2) 11.275
4. OCP (6-3) 6.067
5. *Melbourne Central Catholic (2-6) 2.487
6. Victory Christian (3-5) -0.464
7. Indian Rocks (3-6) -1.252
8. *Father Lopez (5-4) -10.21
Note: The First Academy is No. 4 in the region (11.131) but ineligible for postseason play, pending a last-ditch effort by TFA parents to get the FHSAA to reverse its playoff ban. If TFA gains a favorable decision, its first-round game, as the rankings stand, would be a home game against OCP.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.