The race for six state titles is under way with regional quarterfinal playoff games slated for this week.
The five defending state champions are still in the hunt. Reigning 6A champ Miami Northwestern (8-2) faces a formidable challenge in getting through the toughest region in the state, consisting of all Miami-Dade County schools.
The Bulls face Southridge (8-2) in what could be the most exciting first-round matchup in the state, no matter what the class.
Another interesting first-round game will pit Atlantic (9-0), Palm Beach County’s most surprising team, against Vero Beach (9-1).
Kissimmee Osceola (10-0), the 5A winner a year ago, starts off against Stuart Martin County (6-4). The Kowboys, led by versatile senior Chad Mascoe, are a bit cranky after being leapfrogged in the state poll a couple of weeks back by No. 1 Lakeland, which has won 45 straight regular-season games.
A new 4A champion will be crowned with last year’s winner Glades Central classified at 3A. The South region has solid title contenders in St. Thomas (9-1), Fort Myers (10-0) and Estero (9-1). Estero, last year’s 5A runner-up, could face St. Thomas in the regional semifinal. Estero’s loss was to Fort Myers 7-0 while St. Thomas had lost to 6A No. 1 Deerfield Beach in its opener.
The South region also includes Bradenton Southeast (8-2), which lost the 6A title game to Northwestern.
Fresh off its Muck Bowl victory over Pahokee, Glades will take on Naples Gulf Coast (3-6), which has a talented runner in Rochenal Absolu.
Among those looking to challenge Glades Central (10-0) are Panhandle foe Pace (10-0), Palatka (10-0) and Jacksonville Ribault (10-0), all in the north region.
Jacksonville Bolles (9-1), the 3A champion, is now in 2A.
First-round games look like snoozers, but the semifinals have potential with a possible clash between No. 3 Trinity Christian (8-1) and No. 1 Madison County (10-0), the latter the 3A runner-up.
Bolles, which should get by Hamilton County, would likely see an injury-plagued but dangerous Union County (7-2).
Defending 2A runner-up American Heritage (5-4), prepared for the playoffs by a brutal schedule, opens against Belen Jesuit, which it beat easily during the regular season.
The new 1A division is up for grabs, although Fort Meade (10-0) is ranked No. 1.
Hollywood Christian has a favorable draw and the potential to go deep into the playoffs.
The biggest surprise is that 3A runner-up Pahokee is sitting home. The Blue Devils, who lost to Bolles in the final, managed just a 5-5 record and couldn’t overcome the loss of all-everything quarterback Anquan Boldin, now at Florida State.
Top performances
Tampa King senior Fred Reid became Hillsborough County’s first 2,000-yard rusher with 134 Friday against Plant City. He ended the season with 2,005 yards. … Hudson’s Brad Felton ran for 246 yards in a 14-6 win over New Port Richey Ridgewood. …
Demetrius Craddock became Palmetto’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 11 years, getting 191 in a 48-8 win over Lehigh. He ended with 1,074 despite sitting out the second half with the outcome in hand. …
Carlton Banks totaled 272 yards to lead Clewiston to a 33-23 win over Venice. The Tigers open the playoffs against St. Petersburg Catholic. …
Cedric Simmons intercepted four passes to lead Fort Meade to a 21-20 win over Frostproof. Fort Meade (10-0) opens the playoffs against Pierson Taylor County. …
Kicker Justin Geisler of Land O’Lakes kicked a school-record 59-yard field goal in a 20-7 win over Zephyrhills. …
Odds and ends
Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan may have Broward’s oldest rivalry, but it can’t come close to the state’s oldest, between Hardee County and DeSoto County, which have played annually since 1923. Hardee, which leads the series 46-28-5, won the most recent meeting 60-6. It was the series’ second-most lopsided. …
Homecoming festivities ended on an unusual note for Riverview, which downed Wharton 26-20. After the game fans, players, coaches and administrators gathered in the end zone where offensive line coach Jim Hutchinson got married. …
Tiny Immokalee earned Collier County bragging rights with a 48-21 win over Naples Gulf Coast. The Indians defeated Lely, Naples and Barron Collier this season.
Michelle Gardner’s state football column runs Tuesdays. You can reach her at or 954-356-4651.
