With only one week to play the High School Football Playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams jockey for position with the FHSAA Football Playoff Rankings. Teams in Northeast Florida are punching their tickets into the post season with district wins, while also defeating top tier teams to position them for the playoffs. In each region, the top 6 or top 8 teams are granted playoff bids. This includes district champions. Check out the teams that are currently in the playoffs and teams on the bubble for the playoffs going into the final week.
Class 1A Region 3
Top 6 Teams Advance
#4 .Hilliard (5-4) – The Red Flashes are firmly ranked at #4 with a 0.508 RPI. They will not receive points for their win or loss against NFEI this week, but won’t need it. It’s highly unlikely that they’ll fall to 6th. They’ll end 6-4
#6.Union County (4-5) – It’s an uphill battle for Union County. They face a 7-1 Keystone Heights team.With a 0.480 RPI, they’ll OWP will increase even if they lose, but at a potential 4-6, they might be jumped by Ft White. Win and you’re in is simply put for the Tigers.
#7. Ft. White (3-6) – The Indians have to beat Bradford simply put. They also have to hope that the win is enough to have them jump Union County and Branford. Branford (5-4) has Cornerstone Christian this week which will most likely be a win. If they lose its a wrap.
Class 2A Region 1
Top 6 Teams Advance
#1. University Christian (8-1)- UC is firmly in the playoffs. They are playing for the top seed and a home game in the first and second round.
#6. NFEI (3-6)– NEFI has a lot to play for. If they win, they will more than likely secure the last seed. It’s a tall order against Hilliard. But the great news for the Eagles is that FAMU High plays an 8-1 Maclay team which they will more than likely lose. The loss will raise their OWP, but probably not enough to jump NFEI. FAMU High wins and NFEI wins, it gets very interesting.
Class 3A Region 1
Top 6 Teams Advance
#4. Episcopal (8-1)- The Eagles are firmly in the playoffs. The’ye game against Stanton is important because they want to hold firm to the #4 spot.
#5. Baldwin (7-2)– Baldwin will face Middleburg Friday needing to keep their #5 spot. They can’t sleep on the Broncos because losing could potentially knock them out of the playoffs. Both Episcopal and Sandalwood missed the playoffs last year at 7-3. Win and the spot is secure.
#6. Trinity (5-5). I predicted at the beginning of the season that Trinity would be 5-5 and still make the playoffs. One thing that I did not count on and I’m sure the Conquerors did not count on is their opponents winning percentage. Trinity’s OWP is only a 0.662. In comparison, Bartram Trail’s (9-0) OWP is a 0.602 and Lee’s (6-3) OWP is a 0.607. On paper Trinity’s schedule was brutal, yet in actuality it wasn’t compared to other good teams in the area. So Trinity is 5-5 (RPI 0.595) and their regular season is done, yet Wolfson is right behind them at #7 vying for the last playoff spot.
#7. Wolfson (7-2) It’s hard to believe it, but Wolfson and Coach Dennis Bettinger could actually make the playoffs. AND.. they could knock out Trinity Christian in the process. If the Wolfpack defeat a 1-8 Englewood team and finish 8-2 on the season, the Wolfpack have a chance of jumping Trinity. Although Trinity’s OWP is significantly higher than Wolfson’s, their RPI is not. To put it in perspective. Last year, of all the playoff teams in Class 3A no team that won at least 8 games missed the playoffs. I think 8 is the magic number. For Wolfson (RPI 0.533), it’s win and wait.
Class 4A Region 1
Top 6 Teams Advance
#1. Bolles (7-1) – The Bulldogs are in, but their game against Mainland could impact their seeding. If they win they are firmly at #1. If they lose they could be jumped by West Nassau.
#2. West Nassau (7-2)- The Warriors have Ridgeview up next. A win and a Bolles loss could place them in the #1 spot. Either way, West Nassau is in.
#5. Bradford (3-5)- Its a must win battle between Ft. White and Bradford this week. Bradford is looking to hold on to the 5 seed. However Santa Fe could jump them with a win over Buchholz.
#8 Fernandina Beach (5-5) The Pirates are all done with their regular season and are on the outside looking in. They must hope for Gadsden County, Santa Fe, and Bradford to lose in hopes of grabbing one of those two spots at 5 or 6.
Class 5A Region 1
Top 8 Teams Advance
#3. Westside (7-2)- The Wolverines are in. A win against Dixie County could move them up in the rankings. A loss wont affect them heavily.
#4. Baker County (6-3) – Baker County has a good chance of holding on to the #4 seed if they can beat Rickards. A loss might jeopardize them to teams like Suwanee, Godby, Choctawhatchee and even Ribault.
#5. Terry Parker (6-2)– The Braves wrapped up the Class 5A District 3 title. It ensures that they will have a home playoff game.
#6. Raines (5-3) – The Vikings have wrapped up the Class 5A district 4 title. They will host a playoff game.
#8. Suwanee (5-4) – Suwanee has the last spot. They’re game against an undefeated Dublin team will help their OWP. Win and they’re in. Lose and they could be knocked out by Ribault.
#10. Ribault (4-4) – The Trojans are still in the hunt. Their game against Lincoln has the potential to leap frog them into the last available spot. They must win though and hope for help. The game win or lose will increase their OWP.
Class 6A Region 1
Top 8 Teams Advance
#2 Ponte Vedra (7-1) – The Sharks are firmly set at #2 and are the district 3 champions.
#3. Columbia (7-2) – Columbia is pretty safe at #3. It’s going to be a great game versus North Marion, but it won’t change their playoff seeding.
#5 Lee (6-3)– The Generals wrapped up the district 2 title and will host a playoff game.
#7. St. Augustine (5-4)– St. Augustine is in good position at #7 and a 0.557 RPI. They have a very slim chance of moving up the playoff rankings. The teams in front of them are higher in RPI and OWP. So they’ll need to take care of business versus Palatka to hold off Milton who has a RPI of 0.516
Class 7A Region 1
#3. Fleming Island (8-0)– District Champs will get a playoff home game. The Eagles are firm at #3 even with a win over Orange Park Friday.
#9. Fletcher (6-3)- 7-3 got the Senators in the playoff last year. This year however, the Beach Rats might miss out. Chiles sits in front of them with a RPI of 0.549 . Fletcher’s RPI of 0.544 will not be high enough to challenge the other teams if those teams win and they don’t beat Mandarin. There is hope, which is why they become fans of Ribault this week vs Lincoln.
Class 8A Region 1
#2. Bartram (9-0)– The Bears are the lone wolves in Class 8A Region 1. As district 1 champions, they are ensured a home playoff game.
#8. Mandarin (6-3)– The defending champions just might get a chance to defend their title. The teams in front of them have stronger RPI’s so moving up is hard, but they currently have the final spot. With a win over Fletcher they should be safe. A loss makes it a tall order to jump Deland, Spruce Creek or Flagler Palm Coast while staving off /lake Brantley
