Playoff Week 2: Top Teams Barely Survive
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Welcome to the state football playoffs where nothing is guaranteed, and teams across Florida are finding that out.
While many favorites escaped the first round, other programs were not so lucky – and will not continue to play in 2021.
For those who came out of Round 1 may not get so lucky here in Round 2.
Here is a look at the latest ranking from Florida Prep Redzone, heading into the second week of the state playoffs:
1 Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 9-0). With a week off, the Ascenders get back to it this week. THIS WEEK: It’s a national showcase on Friday as 7-1 Baltimore St. Frances.
2. Tampa Jesuit (6A, 10-0). As a No. 1 seed and one of the best teams in Florida, the first round 50-0 win over Gulfport Boca Ciega sets the tempo right away – in Round 1. THIS WEEK: No. 5 Bradenton Braden River (9-1) at home. NEXT WEEK: Will it be upstart program No. 3 Riverview Sumner (9-2) or No. 7 Tampa Hillsborough (9-2).
3. Miami Central (5A, 8-2). For the second time this year, the defending 6A state champion Rockets beat district foe and No. 6 North Miami Beach, 49-6, in the first round of the state playoffs. THIS WEEK: As the No. 3 seed in Region 4, the Rockets will be at No. 2 seed Plantation American Heritage (6-3). NEXT WEEK: No. 1 seed Miami Killian (11-0) or Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (7-4).
4. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7A, 10-1). The Raiders started the playoffs as a No. 1 seed at home and beat No. 8 Delray Beach Atlantic, 43-7. THIS WEEK: No. 4 Miramar (7-2) knows the Raiders very well and will need a maximum effort. NEXT WEEK: The winner will get either No. 2 Homestead (9-1) or No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (10-1).
5. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (3A, 7-1). Having a bye this past week as the No. 1 seed, the Lions are ready for a sixth consecutive run at a state title. THIS WEEK: A repeat of last year’s playoff run against No. 4 Miami Edison (7-4). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 2 Miami Florida Christian (8-1) or No. 3 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (8-3).
6. Sanford Seminole (8A, 10-1). The defending state champions are back on track after beating No. 8 Winter Park, 41-27. THIS WEEK: It’s rematch time with district foe Lake Mary (10-1), which just got by Orlando Timber Creek. NEXT WEEK: It’s No. 2 St. John’s Bartram Trail (9-2) or Apopka (9-2).
7. Naples (6A, 10-0). In moving to a perfect 10-0 with a 37-0 win against Punta Gorda Charlotte, the Golden Eagles are looking to continue playing well on both sides of the ball. THIS WEEK: It’s No. 3 seed Miami Northwestern (8-3), which along with south Florida schools, have made tough on this team in the playoffs. They are at home against the Bulls. NEXT WEEK: The winner will have either No. 4 Coconut Creek (9-2) or No. 6 Plantation (8-2), which upset No. 1 seed Fort Myers Dunbar, 44-20.
8. Venice (8A, 10-1). A first round 55-7 win over Plant City showed why this No. 1 seed will be very tough to beat. THIS WEEK: The Indians will have a rematch with district foe No. 5 seed Sarasota Riverview (9-2). NEXT WEEK: The winner of this contest will square off with either No. 2 Winter Garden West Orange (10-1) or Kissimmee Osceola (9-2).
9. Orlando Edgewater (7A, 10-1). With a 42-13 win over Bartow in the first round, the two-time defending state runner up Eagles are flying high. THIS WEEK: Another home game for the No. 1 seed as No. 4 Lakeland Lake Gibson (7-3) heads to Orlando. NEXT WEEK: The winner of this game will get either No. 2 Stuart Martin County (9-0).
10. Tampa Bay Tech (7A, 11-0). In winning for the 11th straight time this season – 30-7 over Largo as a No. 1 seed. THIS WEEK: An interesting matchup against dangerous and athletic No. 5 seed Palmetto (5-5). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 6 seed Tampa Wharton (8-2) or No. 2 Lehigh (7-2).
11. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7A, 9-1). The No. 6 Panthers started the playoffs off on the right foot with a 42-0 win against Fort Lauderdale (6-3). THIS WEEK: One of the best games in south Florida when the Panthers travel to Homestead to take on the No. 2 Broncos (10-1). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (10-1) or the No. 4 seed Miramar Patriots (7-2).
12. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4A, 7-2). It’s been three weeks since the defending 4A state champions have played as the No. 2 seed had the first week off. THIS WEEK: A rematch against Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (4-6). NEXT WEEK: The winner of this contest will play either No. 1 seed Miami Gulliver Prep (7-1) or Miami Booker T. Washington (5-6).
13. Miami Gulliver Prep (4A, 7-1). With a bye week over for the Raiders, it’s time to get back to work for a team that played just 8 times in 12 weeks. THIS WEEK: It’s a little bit of payback on Friday as the No. 4 Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (5-6) visit. They were the team that knocked Gulliver from the playoffs two years ago. NEXT WEEK: It will be either defending 4A state champion and No. 2 seed Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-2) or Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (4-6).
14. Lake Mary (8A, 10-1). It was a close one in the opening round of the playoffs against Orlando Timber Creek, but the Rams held tough for a 20-14 win. THIS WEEK: It’s a district rematch with No. 1 seed and defending state champion Sanford Seminole (10-1). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 2 seed St. John’s Bartram Trail (9-2) or No. 3 seed Apopka (9-2).
15. Niceville (7A, 10-1). As the No. 3 seed, the Eagles broke out of the gate fast and beat Jacksonville Atlantic Coast, 20-6. THIS WEEK: It’s a NEXT WEEK: It will be a big one against either No. 1 Gainesville Buchholz (10-1) or No. 5 Orange City University (7-2).
16. Cocoa (4A, 8-1). With a bye in the first week of the state playoffs, this No. 1 seed is anxious to get the road started. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 4 seed Bushnell South Sumter (7-4). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets No. 2 The Villages Charter (10-0) or No. 3 seed Keystone Heights (10-1).
17. Tampa Berkeley Prep (3A, 10-0). After earning a bye week to open the state playoffs, this No. 1 seed is ready to get started. THIS WEEK: No. 5 seed Fort Myers Bishop Verot (6-4) heads to Tampa. NEXT WEEK: It’s either No. 2 seed Clearwater Central Catholic (7-3) or No. 6 seed Tampa Catholic (7-3).
18. Miami Killian (5A, 11-0). The No. 1 seed Cougars scored early and often in a 66-0 win against No. 8 Fort Myers Cypress Lake. THIS WEEK: The surprising No. 5 seed Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (7-4) will test this impressive football team. NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 2 Plantation American Heritage – the defending 5A state champs – or No. 3 Miami Central – the two time 6A state champion.
19. Ocala Vanguard (6A, 11-0). One of the hottest and most dominating teams in Florida opened the first round with a 38-0 win over No. 8 Palm Bay Heritage. THIS WEEK: The Knights will get a test from 9-2 Lake Wales at home. NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 2 Auburndale (9-0) or No. 3 Orlando Jones (9-2).
20. Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (8A, 8-1). The No. 2 seed Titans continued to roll along with a 47-22 win at home against Palm Beach Gardens. THIS WEEK: Another home game against a very competitive No. 3 seed Orlando Boone (8-3). NEXT WEEK: The winner will get either No. 1 Palm Beach Central (9-0) or No. 5 Vero Beach (7-2).
21. Gainesville Buchholz (7A, 10-1). In winning for the 10th time this season, the No. 1 seed Bobcats rolled at home against Fleming Island, 35-7, THIS WEEK: It’s another home game against No. 5 Orange City University (7-2). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 3 Niceville (10-1) or No. 7 Ponte Vedra Nease (8-3).
22. Tallahassee Florida State University High (3A, 9-1). The race for state continues for the Seminoles this week after a convincing 55-13 win over Jacksonville Episcopal. THIS WEEK: As the No. 3 seed in Region 1, it will be a road game at No. 2 seed DeFuniak Springs Walton (9-1). NEXT WEEK: The winner will get either No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (6-2) or No. 4 Gainesville PK Yonge (8-3).
23. Lynn Haven Mosley (6A, 10-1). In winning for the 10th time this season, 52-35, over Gulf Breeze, the Dolphins are set for another home game. THIS WEEK: No. 6 seed Tallahassee Lincoln (9-2) comes to down for a true showdown. NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 1 Pensacola Pine Forest (9-1) or No. 5 Jacksonville Riverside (9-1).
24. Winter Garden West Orange (8A, 10-1). The Warriors stayed red hot in beating Plant City Durant, 55-6. THIS WEEK: As a No. 2 seed in Region 3, the second round game will see a rematch against No. 6 seed Kissimmee Osceola (9-2). NEXT WEEK: It will be the winner of the district rematch between No. 1 Venice (10-1) and Sarasota Riverview (9-2).
25. Auburndale (6A, 9-0). In moving to a perfect 9-0, this team scored early and often in a 41-7 win over Belleview. THIS WEEK: The Bloodhounds will be at home for a game against No. 3 seed No. 3 Orlando Jones (9-2). NEXT WEEK: The winner will get the No. 1 Ocala Vanguard (11-0) or No. 5 Lake Wales (9-2)
OTHER TEAMS TO CONSIDER:
No. 1 Baker (1A, 6-2)
No. 4 Baldwin (4A, 7-3)
No. 5 Belle Glade Glades Central (4A, 6-5)
No. 3 Belle Glade Glades Day (2A, 9-1)
No. 1 Blountstown (1A, 8-1)
No. 3 Bonifay Holmes County (1A, 6-5)
No. 5 Bradenton Braden River (6A, 9-1)
No. 4 Bristol Liberty County (1A, 9-2)
No. 4 Bushnell South Sumter (4A, 7-4)
No. 4 Century Northview (1A, 6-4)
No. 1 Chiefland (1A, 9-1)
No. 2 Chipley (1A, 7-3)
No. 1 Clearwater (5A, 10-1)
No. 2 Clearwater Central Catholic (3A, 7-3)
No. 3 Clewiston (3A, 7-2)
No. 4 Coconut Creek (6A, 9-2)
No. 2 DeFuniak Springs Walton (3A, 9-1)
No. 2 Dunnellon (5A, 9-2)
No. 2 Englewood Lemon Bay (3A, 9-0)
No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (4A, 4-6)
No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (5A, 7-4)
No. 5 Fort Myers Bishop Verot (3A, 6-4)
No. 5 Fort Pierce John Carroll (2A, 6-2)
No. 4 Frostproof (3A, 7-4)
No. 4 Gainesville P.K. Yonge (3A, 8-3)
No. 1 Glen St. Mary Baker County (5A, 9-2)
No. 6 Havana Gadsden County (4A, 3-6)
No. 1 Hawthorne (1A, 7-0)
No. 2 Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (2A, 7-2)
No. 2 Hilliard (1A, 9-1)
No. 1 Hollywood Avant Garde (2A, 8-0)
No. 2 Homestead (7A, 9-1)
No. 1 Jacksonville Bolles (4A, 6-2)
No. 2 Jacksonville Raines (5A, 8-2)
No. 5 Jacksonville Riverside (6A, 9-1)
No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (2A, 6-4)
No. 3 Jacksonville University Christian (2A, 7-4)
No. 3 Keystone Heights (4A, 10-1)
No. 3 Lake Butler Union County (1A, 10-0)
No. 1 Lakeland Christian (3A, 9-0)
No. 4 Lakeland Lake Gibson (7A, 7-3)
No. 6 Lakeland Victory Christian (2A, 5-6)
No. 5 Lake Wales (6A, 9-2)
No. 2 Lehigh (7A, 7-2)
No. 3 Madison County (1A, 8-3)
No. 4 Mayo Lafayette (1A, 8-3)
No. 3 Melbourne (7A, 9-2)
No. 4 Melbourne Holy Trinity (2A, 10-1)
No. 1 Merritt Island (5A, 10-1)
No. 4 Miami Booker T. Washington (4A, 5-6)
No. 4 Miami Edison (3A, 7-4)
No. 2 Miami Florida Christian (4A, 8-1)
No. 2 Miami Palmetto (8A, 8-2)
No. 4 Miramar (7A, 7-2)
No. 3 Naples Community School (2A, 8-2)
No. 1 Naples First Baptist (2A, 8-1)
No. 2 North Palm Beach Benjamin Benjamin (3A, 7-2)
No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (3A, 6-2)
No. 3 Orlando Jones (6A, 9-2)
No. 1 Orlando Christian Prep (2A, 8-1)
No. 3 Orlando The First Academy (3A, 8-2)
No. 2 Pahokee (1A, 7-1)
No. 1 Palm Beach Central (8A, 9-0)
No. 4 Palmetto (7A, 5-5)
No. 1 Pensacola Pine Forest (6A, 9-1)
No. 5 Pensacola West Florida (5A, 9-1)
No. 8 Plantation (6A, 8-2)
No. 2 Plantation American Heritage (5A, 6-3)
No. 7 Ponte Vedra Nease (7A, 8-3)
No. 2 Port St. Joe (1A, 8-1)
No. 2 Quincy Munroe Day (2A, 7-2)
No. 3 Riverview Sumner (6A, 9-2)
No. 5 Rockledge (5A, 9-2)
No. 6 Satellite (5A, 9-2)
No. 3 Sebring (5A, 7-3)
No. 4 Seffner Christian (2A, 6-4)
No. 2 South Walton (4A, 9-1)
No. 7 St. Petersburg Gibbs (5A, 8-3)
No. 1 St. Petersburg Lakewood (4A, 8-2)
No. 2 St. Petersburg Northside Christian (2A, 6-2)
No. 3 Starke Bradford County (1A, 6-5)
No. 2 Stuart Martin County (7A, 9-0)
No. 6 Tallahassee Lincoln (6A, 9-2)
No. 4 Tallahassee St. John Paul II (2A, 9-2)
No. 6 Tampa Catholic (3A, 7-3)
No. 4 Tampa Chamberlain (5A, 4-7)
No. 7 Tampa Hillsborough (6A, 9-2)
No. 6 Tampa Wharton (7A, 8-2)
No. 2 The Villages Charter (4A, 10-0)
No. 3 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (3A, 8-3)
No. 5 Wildwood (1A, 6-4)
No. 2 Zephyrhills Christian (2A, 8-2)
TEAMS FINISHED FOR THE SEASON: Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley (8A, 6-5), Belleview (6A, 8-3), Boca Raton (8A, 8-3), Boynton Beach (5A, 7-4), Citra North Marion (5A, 6-4), Clearwater Countryside (6A, 5-6), Coral Springs Coral Glades (8A, 6-3), Daytona Beach Mainland (6A, 5-5), Daytona Beach Seabreeze (5A, 6-5), Doral Academy (7A, 8-2), Fort Myers (6A, 5-4), Fort Myers Dunbar (6A, 9-1), Gulf Breeze (6A, 7-4), Hollywood South Broward (7A, 8-2), Jacksonville Terry Parker (5A, 7-4), Lake City Columbia (6A, 6-5), Leesburg (5A, 6-4), Lithia Newsome (8A, 8-3), Lutz Steinbrenner (8A, 7-4), Neptune Beach Fletcher (7A, 5-6), Port Orange Spruce Creek (7A, 8-2), Port St. Lucie (6A, 7-3), South Fort Myers (6A, 8-3), St. Johns Creekside (8A, 8-3), St. Lucie West Centennial (8A, 5-5), St. Petersburg Northeast (6A, 9-2), Tallahassee Rickards (6A, 6-5), Tampa Gaither (7A, 6-5), Trenton (1A, 4-6), Trinity Mitchell (7A, 8-3), Viera (7A, 5-5), Wellington (8A, 7-4), West Palm Beach Forest Hill (8A, 6-3), Zephyrhills (5A, 9-2)
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com
