Mandarin in, Sandalwood out in new FHSAA Playoff Rankings | Northeast Florida Sports Jacksonville

GAINESVILLE – What a difference a week has made for both the Mandarin Mustangs and Sandalwood Saints.

A week ago, Mandarin sat in the eighth and final spot of the FHSAA Playoff Power Rankings, with a game at state power Apopka on the rise Friday night. Right behind them was Sandalwood, which sat in the ninth spot just one spot behind Mandarin for the final spot.

No one saw Mandarin going into Apopka and coming out with a 21-7 win over the Blue Darters. The stunning result moved the Mustangs from eighth to fourth this week in the updated power rankings today.

The first shocker is seeing Mandarin in over Sandalwood as of today. Making their meeting Friday that much more critical for both especially Sandalwood.

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Region I-8A @FHSAA Updated Rankings pic.twitter.com/Y5OVgRMNmb

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Wekiva (43.83) still holds on to the top spot for now, while Winter Park (42.14), Palm Coast (41.43) and now Mandarin (40.67) right behind them.

After back-to-back losses the last two weeks to Palm Coast and Raines, the Saints have dropped to eleventh and find themselves out of the playoffs for now.

Of course things could drastically change especially this Friday when Sandalwood (5-2) travels to Mandarin (3-3) at 3:30 p.m. in a key District 1-8A game for both.

The winner remains in the race for the District 1-8A title and automatic playoff spot, the loser needs essentially a miracle to get into the playoffs.

With only eight spots available in Region 1, there is a good chance 2-3 teams from District 2 and District 4 all get in leaving only the district champion from District 1 and District 3 to get in. Remember four of the top eight spots go to the four district champions, while the remaining four spots will go to the four teams with the highest power ranking averages.

Meaning despite currently sitting in the fourth spot, the Mustangs are still not in position to make the playoffs, the only way to guarantee a spot would be to win it with district wins over Sandalwood (Oct. 11), Spruce Creek (Oct 18) and Palm Coast (Oct 25).

Oviedo (39.00) and Seminole (38.83), which play this Thursday at Seminole, along with Lake Mary (39.83) are in a battle still for the District 2-8A title and automatic berth. It’s possible two of them or all three could get in, very unlikely only one gets in in the end.

Winter Park (42.14) currently sits at the top of the rankings by virtue of being the likely District 3-8A champion for now, while Boone (38.67) sits in twelfth and would have to knock off Winter Park to get in.

Like District 2-8A, District 4-8A is also a mess as Wekiva (43.83), Apopka (39.71) and West Orange (39.29) are all in the mix for the 4-8A title still, although West Orange upset Wekiva earlier. Don’t be surprised if all three get into the playoffs.

Class 8A Playoff Picture
8 Deland at 1 Winter Park
7 Lake Mary at 2 Palm Coast
6 Mandarin at 3 Apopka/West Orange winner
5 Wekiva at 4 Oviedo/Seminole winner

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 7A

Columbia (47.17) remains in the top spot of Region I-7A despite losing a point from last week and being idle, while Buchholz (41.67) and Lee (41.17) flip flopped positions this week.

Region 1-7A Power Rankings pic.twitter.com/f4MWbtmGqd

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Oakleaf (40.33) remains in the fourth spot despite the loss to Trinity last week, while Lincoln (39.17), Edgewater (39.00) and Fletcher (38.00) all jumped ahead of Bartram Trail (37.33).

Lincoln (39.17) leads District 1-7A and appears to be the only team that will likely make the playoffs, unless upsets occur, with Chiles (36.86) and Leon (35.00) well behind.

Which is good news for teams in District 2 which will likely send at least two teams maybe a third with Columbia (47.17), Lee (40.33) and Fletcher (38.00) all still in contention for the 2-7A title race.

The same can be said for District 3-7A which currently has Buchholz (41.67), Oakleaf (40.33) and Bartram Trail (37.33). Creekside (35.67) and Fleming Island (25.33) are both well behind and need to win out and win the district to have a chance at making the playoffs.

Edgwater (39.00) appears to be in control of District 4-7A, which likely means the district only gets one team in the playoffs as both Hagerty (34.14) and Lake Minneola (33.50) are near the bottom of the rankings.

Region 1, Class 7A

8 Bartram Trail at 1 Columbia
7 Fletcher at 2 Buchholz
6 Oakleaf at 3 Lincoln
5 Lee at 4 Edgewater

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 6A

Things are a little more clearer in 6A for area teams as Panhandle teams occupy 7 of the 8 spots, with only St. Augustine (37.83) in the mix.

Although that could change this week with the winner of Ed White (35.80) and St. Augustine (37.83) Friday likely claiming District 4-6A automatic spot.

Middleburg (32.67), Nease (29.83) and Englewood (26.83) are at the bottom of the power rankings and would have to win the district to claim one of the playoff berths.

Region 1-6A pic.twitter.com/Ul6FWdU9Lq

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Region 1, Class 6A

8 Pace at 1 Pine Forest
7 Gulf Breeze at 2 Niceville
6 Crestview at 3 Navarre
5 Escambia at 4 St Augustine

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 5A

Trinity Christian (45.00) continues to lead Region I-6A and appears to be headed towards the No. 1 overall seed. The Conquerors (7-0) remain undefeated and should finish the regular season undefeated.

Despite two losses, Bolles (40.33) sits currently in fourth behind Godby (42.00) and West Florida (41.40).

Region 1-5A pic.twitter.com/Iv5aaRPI5M

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Ponte Vedra (38.67) and Ribault (37.14) are sitting in the sixth and eighth spots currently and both appear to be in good shape.

Region 1, Class 5A

8 Wakulla at 1 Trinity
7 Ponte Vedra at 2 Godby
6 Bolles at 3 Mosley
5 West Fla at 4 Ribault

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

In Region II, Menendez (39.67) sits currently in third in the region ahead of Baker County (37.33) and Palatka (37.00), despite a 20 point plus loss to Baker County weeks ago.

Region 2-5A pic.twitter.com/hMiCTOpD6D

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

When looking at the power rankings, you have to peel back the layers they say. While Menendez is sitting in fourth right now, Baker County will be seeded higher because it is in control of District 5-5A.

The top four seeds are the four district champions, the last four seeds are the four wild card berths based on the power rankings.

Region 2, Class 5A

8 Palatka at 1 North Marion
7 Hernando at 2 Nature Coast
6 Menendez at 3 Zephyrhills
5 Crystal River at 4 Baker Co

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 4A

Raines (43.17) continues to hold on to the top spot in Region I-4A ahead of West Nassau (37.00), which sits in the second spot.

Panhandle teams South Walton (33.86) and Rutherford (33.33) are in the third and fourth spots ahead of surprising Jackson (28.83), which holds the final spot in sixth.

Gadsden County (28.67), which is still winless, occupied the sixth and final spot last week but finally dropped down to seventh following another loss.

Region 1, II Class 4A Rankings pic.twitter.com/iV6f9X9lGF

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

In Region II, Bradford (39.29) jumped all the way to the top spot with three consecutive wins including a win over previously undefeated West Nassau last week. Keystone Heights (32.60) sits in the seventh spot just one spot out of the playoffs right now, two points behind South Sumter (34.71).

Class 4A, Region 1

1 Raines bye
2 West Nassau bye

6 Jackson at 3 South Walton
5 Marianna at 4 Rutherford

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 4A, Region 2

1 Bradford bye
2 Dunnellon bye

6 South Sumter at 3 Santa Fe
5 Pk Yonge at 4 Villages

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 3A

Baldwin (40.33) and St. Joseph (39.71) are in good positions sitting in second and third right now behind Florida High (43.00).

Both Baldwin (6-0) and St. Joseph (7-0) are one of four local teams undefeated still and both are in great shape to not only make the playoffs but also host a playoff game.

Region I, II Class 3A Rankings pic.twitter.com/SQBUF9hBSv

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 3A, Region 1

1 FSU bye
2 Baldwin bye

6 Episcopal at 3 St Joseph
5 Taylor at 4 Pens. Catholic

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 2A

North Florida Christian (40.29), Maclay (38.57) and University Christian (37.71) occupy the top three spots in the Region I power rankings.

The top two teams in the region get a bye so finishing in the top two is a top priority for everyone, something University Christian is trying to do.

Eagles View (36.20) is in the fifth spot right now and in good position to make the playoffs.

Region I, II Class 2A Rankings pic.twitter.com/l2CWyGQ5sj

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 2A, Region 1

1 NFC bye
2 Maclay bye

6 Monroe at 3 UC
5 Eagles View at 4 Aucilla

— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 9, 2018

Class 1A

Madison County (42.57), Chiefland (40.67) and Dixie County (39.67) are the top three teams in Region I-1A right now.

Union County (34.57) is in the sixth and final spot currently, while Hilliard (33.50) is in eighth two spots behind Union County.

In Region II-1A. Crescent City (36.57) is in the fifth spot and in good position to make the playoffs behind Pahokee (42.17), Hawthorne (38.00), Frostproof (37.71) and Fort Meade (37.33).