Notable Playoff Rankings and Matchups (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Playoff time folks! The Florida High School Athletics Association hosted a live football bracket show on Sunday to reveal high school playoff rankings and matchups in march to the Florida HS State Championship that will be played at FAMU. For ranking context, the higher seed is designated the host in all regional matchups except during the regional first round where a District Champion faces an at-large team, the champ is designated the host regardless of seeding. This article will highlight some notable games to watch in the <em>Polk, Orlando, and North Florida</em> areas. <em>Tickets are available on GoFan or NFHS Netowork. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px">Listed in Class/Region Order:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">Class 1S Region 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Zephrhyills Christian vs. 4. Victory Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ZCA: Parker Stirnkorb <strong>QB</strong>, Kendall Johnson ATH, Rodger Jones <strong>ATH</strong>, Amari Range <strong>WR</strong>, Alexander Hairston <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='690863' first='Myles' last='McDonald'] <strong>QB</strong>, Brent Clements <strong>DE</strong>, Jayden Ramos <strong>WR</strong>, Chris Bailey <strong>ATH</strong>, Kaden Paghense <strong>DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VCA: Jackson Benton <strong>QB</strong>, Curtis Ingram <strong>RB</strong>, Martell Thomas <strong>ATH</strong>, Kooper Jones <strong>WR</strong>, Jaden Gray <strong>DB</strong>, Noah Cabrera <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1220110' first='JoJo' last='Scott'] <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regular season rematch that saw ZCA earn an away victory which gave them lead way to the No.1 seed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Lakeland Chrisitan vs. 3 Cardinal Mooney </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LCA: [player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] <strong>DB</strong> - Josh Bellamy <strong>RB</strong> - Brody Brenneman <strong>QB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1720084' first='Preston' last='Garcia'] <strong>QB</strong> - Tate Horne <strong>WR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CM: Zy'marion Lang <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='392566' first='Carson' last='Beach'] <strong>RB</strong>, Michael Valentino <strong>QB</strong>, Devin Mignery <strong>QB</strong>, George Leibold <strong>LB</strong>, Jacob Brown <strong>LB</strong>, Bryce Fulda <strong>DE</strong>, Nick Bryan <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top private schools in Polk will put it on the line against a team from out west. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">Class 2S Region 4 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Bishop Verot vs. 8 Mulberry </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vikings: </strong>Matthew<strong> </strong>Turner <strong>WR</strong>, Charles Watts <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='283730' first='Deshon' last='Jenkins'] Jr. <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='826544' first='Carter' last='Smith'] <strong>QB</strong>, Ryan Gadsen <strong>DB</strong>, Micha Anderson <strong>LB</strong>, Parker Turner <strong>LB</strong>, Ryan Peterson <strong>DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panthers: </strong>Devin Burgess <strong>ATH</strong>, Jeffrey Duvalt <strong>ATH</strong>, Lloyd Knight <strong>RB</strong>, Timothy Jones <strong>LB</strong>, Jaquan Turner <strong>LB, </strong>Jermaine Mills <strong>OL/DL</strong>, Timothy Jones <strong>LB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1132490' first='Paul' last='Sledge'] <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Fort Meade vs. 7 Sarasota Booker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miners: </strong>Carson Montsdeoca <strong>QB</strong> - Joshua Porter <strong>WR</strong> - Ryan Screen <strong>WR</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'] <strong>WR</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='833712' first='Keveun' last='Mason'] <strong>RB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1628903' first='Omari' last='Russell'] <strong>DB</strong> - Cyhdrin Simmons <strong>DB</strong> - Tedrick Simon <strong>DB</strong> - Davion Borders <strong>DB</strong> - Ashton White <strong>LB</strong> - Josiah Lozano <strong>WR</strong> - Markell Baker <strong>ATH</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Booker: [player_tooltip player_id='944699' first='Josiah' last='Booker'] <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1744789' first='Tyren' last='Wortham'] <strong>WR</strong>, Joshua Burrows <strong>WR</strong>, Ahmad Hunter <strong>RB</strong>, Jordan Radkey <strong>DT</strong>, Omarion Patterson <strong>DB</strong>, Jordan Johnson <strong>QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">Class 4M Region 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Lake Mary vs. 8 Boone</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LM: [player_tooltip player_id='1206614' first='Noah' last='Grubbs'] <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='943260' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] <strong>RB</strong>, Carson Hinshaw <strong>WR</strong>, Caden Harshbarger <strong>WR</strong>, Logan Cook <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1134215' first='Luke' last='Prieto'] <strong>LB</strong>, Eli Straker <strong>LB</strong>, TJ Clayton <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boone: [player_tooltip player_id='1130879' first='Isaiah' last='Mizell'] <strong>WR</strong>, Laggarius Marshell <strong>RB</strong>, Aaron Hardy <strong>RB</strong>, Sam Johnson <strong>QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams have been on fire this season with 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1206614' first='Noah' last='Grubbs'] taking the nation by storm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Seminole vs. 7 Hagerty </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BokeyFB: Karson Lasky <strong>QB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741395' first='Preston' last='Watson'] <strong>DT, </strong>Trey Clarke <strong>RB, </strong>Tavari Hampton <strong>LB, </strong>David Parks <strong>ATH, </strong>Justin Rosado <strong>WR, </strong>Cori Smith <strong>DB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134246' first='Juan' last='Berchal'] <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hagerty: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seminole is one of the more talented teams in the Orlando area and will meet with a Hagerty squad that has a few pieces to get it done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Apopka vs. 6 Evans </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apopka: [player_tooltip player_id='667383' first='Tyson' last='Davison'] <strong>QB, </strong>Marcus Grant <strong>DB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1130773' first='Malachi' last='Davey'] <strong>DB, </strong>Antwone Robinson <strong>DB, </strong>Donovan Muldrow <strong>LB, </strong>Lorenzo Payne <strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trojans: </strong>Chris Peterson <strong>QB</strong>, Roytavious Ricketts <strong>WR</strong>, Jermaine Hardy <strong>RB</strong>, Gaboreius Baldwin <strong>LB</strong>, Tommy Dixson <strong>DL</strong>, Li'darious Pryor <strong>LB</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Central Florida matchup between two teams that have had mediocre seasons can make it count in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Winter Park vs. 5 Mandarin </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WP: Evan Van Dyke <strong>WR</strong>, Jalil Miller <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1229952' first='Zion' last='Wolf'] <strong>WR</strong>, Atticus Vandyke <strong>QB </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mandarin: </strong>Jaime Ffrench Jr. <strong>WR, </strong>Tramell Jones <strong>QB, </strong>Tiant Wyche <strong>RB, </strong>Drake Stubbs <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be an interesting matchup as one of the more talented teams in the North Florida area travels to meet WP in Central Florida. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4M Region 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Olympia vs. 6 Dr. Phillips </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panthers: </strong>Stanley Anderson <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1128534' first='Maliki' last='Wright'] <strong>ATH</strong>, Jashad Presley <strong>DB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='833743' first='Amari' last='Major'] <strong>RB</strong>, Mykel Calixte <strong>WR</strong>, Cameron Dixon <strong>ATH</strong>, Jayshaun Fox <strong>WR</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='951502' first='Jerard' last='Smith'] <strong>LB</strong>, Alfred Thomas <strong>LB</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Titans: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='585866' first='Juan' last='Gainous'] <strong>QB</strong>, Melo Ware <strong>RB</strong>, RoMelo Walker <strong>ATH</strong>, Brandon Dumzeil <strong>DT</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='404205' first='Jalon' last='Thompson'] <strong>DB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1134234' first='Xavier' last='Tucker'] <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Vero Beach vs. 5 Heritage (Palm Bay)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VB: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135121' first='Tyler' last='Aronson'] <strong>QB</strong>, Jonathan Hillsman <strong>RB</strong>, TJ Alford <strong>LB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='404544' first='Octavion' last='Osby'] <strong>RB</strong>, Isaiah Roberts <strong>WR</strong>, Affeon Rivers <strong>LB</strong>, Elijah Anderson <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2S Region 3 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Cocoa vs. 8 Eustis </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cocoa: [player_tooltip player_id='1247449' first='Brady' last='Hart'] <strong>QB, </strong>Nick Teeter <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953682' first='Jayvan' last='Boggs'] <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606130' first='CJ' last='Bragg'] <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404257' first='Samadrae' last='Hawkins'] <strong>LB, </strong>Dai'Veon Parham <strong>LB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='749702' first='Javion' last='Hilson'] <strong>DE, </strong>O'kece Battle <strong>ATH, </strong>Daviyon-Hawkins-Ingram <strong>OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eustis:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3S Region 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Leesburg vs 6 Auburndale </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Yellow Jackets: </strong>Salmon Georges <strong>QB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1249169' first='Demetrice' last='McCray'] <strong>WR</strong>, Lavoctris Patterson <strong>RB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1132452' first='Evan' last='James'] <strong>WR</strong>, Aiden Hall <strong>LB</strong>, Dajleon Ward <strong>DB</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='928363' first='Izayia' last='Williams'] <strong>LB</strong>, Jaedon Mickens <strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloodhounds: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='743077' first='Nate' last='Gabriel'] <strong>DT</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='283732' first='Elijah' last='Dias'] <strong>LB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1220072' first='Jaysean' last='Pritchard'] <strong>ATH</strong> - Tahjae McQueen <strong>WR</strong> - Bryson Jiles <strong>DB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1142239' first='Chad' last='Williams'] <strong>QB</strong> - Dayrel Glover <strong>RB</strong> - Carmelo Henderson <strong>WR</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4S Region 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Lakeland vs. 8 Mitchell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland: [player_tooltip player_id='827385' first='Zander' last='Smith'] <strong>QB, </strong>Rick Penick <strong>WR, </strong>Dee Rucker <strong>RB, </strong>Jamar Taylor <strong>WR, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247490' first='Malik' last='Morris'] <strong>LB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123185' first='Jameson' last='Young'] <strong>DB, </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127045' first='Keon' last='Young'] <strong>DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Lake Minneola vs 7 Haines City </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LM:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HC:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Winter Haven vs. 5 Bartow </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WH: [player_tooltip player_id='944686' first='Guiseann' last='Mirtil'] <strong>TE</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='829494' first='John' last='Kostuch'] QB - Alfred Smothers <strong>RB</strong> - Trey'On Ellington <strong>LB</strong> - Ora Farlow <strong>WR</strong> - Allen Cadet-Ford <strong>DB</strong> - Tyrone Footman <strong>LB</strong> - Donovan Grayson <strong>LT</strong> - Ja'tavious Scaife <strong>ATH</strong>, Quantavious Calloway <strong>ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartow: Jaydon Williams <strong>DB</strong> - DJ Galva <strong>DB</strong> - Tavares Murray Jr <strong>DB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1230944' first='Amari' last='Turner'] <strong>QB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1554808' first='Cory' last='Butler'] <strong>WR</strong> - Jayson Williams <strong>TE</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='292088' first='Quavion' last='Bird'] <strong>DT</strong> - Joshod Hampton <strong>DB</strong> - Jeremiah Martin <strong>DE</strong> - Janie's Taylor <strong>ATH</strong> - Brett Tyree <strong>OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->