It’s playoff time for high school football in the area. Six local teams made the big dance, but their paths to Miami vary. Here’s a look at each bracket.
Open Division
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
- Columbus (Miami)
- West Boca Raton
- Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
- Lakeland
- Central (Miami)
- Raines (Jacksonville)
- Venice
Class 1A, Region 1
- No. 1 Madison County vs. No. 8 Chipley
- No. 2 Blountstown vs. No. 7 Marianna
- No. 3 Fort White vs. No. 6 Baker
- No. 4 Holmes County vs. No. 5 Taylor County
Baker will have to be something it hasn’t been under coach Matt Brunson: road warriors. The Gators open on the road at Fort White at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT) Friday, Nov. 13. A win there would likely set up a rematch with Blountstown, and after that, likely Madison County. But as long as Brunson is on the sideline, Baker will always be a serious Final Four contender.
Class 2A, Region 1
- No. 1 Bolles vs. No. 8 Freeport
- No. 2 Pensacola Catholic vs. No. 7 Destin
- No. 3 Walton vs. No. 6 Gadsden County
- No. 4 Florida High vs. No. 5 Andrew Jackson
Three area teams made it in Class 2A, and all three play Friday, Nov. 13. Walton will host Gadsden County at Yates Memorial Stadium in a matchup it should win, while Destin travels for a rematch with Pensacola Catholic and Freeport faces Bolles on the road. Walton kicks off at 7 p.m. CT, Destin at 7:30 p.m. CT and Freeport at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT). Of the three, the Braves stand the best chance at making the Final Four, though it’s possible the region simply comes down to Bolles or Pensacola Catholic.
Class 3A, Region 1
- No. 1 Godby vs. No. 8 Palatka
- No. 2 Baker County vs. No. 7 South Walton
- No. 3 Wakulla vs. No. 6 Bay
- No. 4 Bishop Kenny vs. No. 5 Pine Forest
With Raines moving to the Open Division, South Walton made it as the last at-large team in. The Seahawks will travel to face Baker County and a stifling defense that will challenge its offense. Kickoff in Glen St. Mary is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT) Friday, Nov. 13. A win would set up either Wakulla or a chance at redemption against Bay. After that, Godby likely awaits in the Elite Eight. All things considered, South Walton has a solid resume for a No. 7 seed and should be treated as a threat to make the Final Four.
Class 4A, Region 1
- No. 1 Columbia vs. No. 8 Clay
- No. 2 St. Augustine vs. No. 7 Lincoln
- No. 3 Ed White vs. No. 6 Rickards
- No. 4 Choctaw vs. No. 5 Mosley
The quest to return to the Final Four will be an absolute gauntlet for Choctaw. Last year, the Indians only had to worry about St. Augustine and Columbia. This year, Ed White and Mosley are in the bracket, too.
Choctaw opens at home against the Mosley Dolphins at 7 p.m. CT Friday, Nov. 13, in a rematch of Week 1. The winner will likely face Columbia on the road, and while Choctaw defeated Columbia last year, the Tigers look much, much better this time around. A win there would most likely send the Indians back on the road against either Ed White or, once again, St. Augustine. Whether Choctaw can handle the tougher road remains to be seen.
