Since last season ended and off season workouts began, the goal for nearly every high school football team in the state of Florida is to make it to Orlando and play for a state championship.
With the state finals four weeks away Dec 8-10 in Camping World Stadium (formerly Citrus Bowl), 22 area teams take their first step towards that goal this week with first round playoff games.
We already know who is home and away for this week but what about round 2 of the playoffs, who will be home or who will have to travel. We answer those questions now for you.
One thing to remember is a district champion always host a district runner-up all the way to the state-semifinals. The FHSAA decided years ago, if a runner-up gets to the state semifinals they could that round by winning their region.
Class 1A
First round
Baldwin (6-3) at Madison County (9-0)
Hamilton County (3-5) at Fort White (8-2)
Possible 2nd Rd matchups
Baldwin at Fort White
Madison at Fort White
Baldwin at Hamilton
Outlook: Bottom part of brackets host if things are equal so Fort White would host in round two as long it beats Hamilton County. Baldwin would travel to Fort White or Hamilton County regardless.
Class 2A
First round
Cedar Creek (2-7) at North Florida Christian (5-3)
FAMU (0-6) at University Christian (6-2)
Possible 2nd Rd matchups
Cedar Creek at U.C.
NFC at U.C.
Cedar Creek at FAMU
Outlook: As long as UC wins they will be home next week and would either host Cedar Creek or NFC, while Cedar Creek would travel to the FAMU/UC winner.
Class 3A
First round
Episcopal (8-1) at Florida High (5-4)
Taylor County (5-4) at Trinity Christian (7-3)
Possible 2nd Rd Matchups
Episcopal at Trinity
Florida High at Trinity
Episcopal at Taylor
Outlook: As long as Trinity wins they will have home field advantage throughout all rounds of the playoffs including state semi-finals.
Class 4A
First round
Raines (6-2) at Walton (3-7)
East Gadsden (5-4) at Bolles (9-0)
Dunnellon (8-1) at Bradford (7-1)
Santa Fe (4-5) at South Sumter (8-1)
Possible 2nd Rd Matchups
Raines at Bolles
Walton at Bolles
Raines at East Gadsden
Bradford at South Sumter
Santa Fe at Bradford
Outlook: If things go as planned Raines will travel to Bolles next week in the second round of the playoffs. If either is upset either Walton or Bolles would host the second round game. Bradford would travel to South Sumter or host Santa Fe.
Class 5A
First round
Bishop Kenny (6-3) at Ribault (5-3)
Yulee (6-3) at Ponte Vedra (8-0)
Belleview (6-2) at Baker County (8-1)
Clay (7-3) at North Marion (4-4)
Possible 2nd Rd Matchups
Bishop Kenny at Ponte Vedra
Ribault at Ponte Vedra
Bishop Kenny at Yulee
Yulee at Ribault
Outlook: Ponte Vedra controls their own destiny as long as they continue to win they will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs including state semi-finals. If Ponte Vedra stumbles, either Ribault or Yulee would host depending on the matchup.
Class 6A
First round
Middleburg (4-5) at Crestview (9-1)
Niceville (8-2) at St. Augustine (9-1)
Okeechobee (8-1) at Mainland (9-0)
Matanzas (7-2) at Sebastian River (9-1)
Possible 2nd Matchups
Middleburg at St. Augustine
Crestview at St. Augustine
Mainland at Sebastian River
Matanzas at Mainland
Okeechobee at Matanzas
Outlook: Providing they can get past Niceville, St. Augustine would host either Crestview or Middleburg in the second round. If St. Augustine stumbles, Middleburg would have to travel back to the panhandle to play Niceville. Mainland would travel to Sebastian River or could host Matanzas.
Class 7A
First round
Columbia (6-3) at Lincoln (4-4)
Leon (6-2) at Lee (7-1)
Hagerty (9-1) at Buchholz (7-2)
Bartram Trail (6-4) at Ocoee (7-3)
Possible 2nd Rd Matchups
Columbia at Lee
Lincoln at Lee
Hagerty at Bartram Trail
Bartram Trail at Buchholz
Outlook: Lee is in a good position to where as long as they keep winning they may not have to leave the Backyard till the third round. Bartram Trail would either travel to Buchholz or host Hagerty.
Class 8A
First round
Lake Brantley (6-4) at Spruce Creek (7-3)
Sandalwood (7-1) at Seminole 9-0)
Possible 2nd Rd Matchups
Lake Brantley at Sandalwood
Sandalwood at Spruce Creek
Outlook: If Sandalwood can pull off the upset, they would either get back on 95 South the next week and head to Spruce Creek or host Lake Brantley.
