District 5A-7
Nature Coast are your leaders in this district and appear to be the clubhouse favorites to sweep the postseason overall and in their district. The Sharks have games at Citrus and at Hernando to finish the season. The race for the runners-up spot could be thrown into some chaos if Lecanto (currently #2) were to lose to Weeki Wachee this week which would put both at 2-losses heading into the final week of district play. Nature Coast is likely to host Zephyrhills provided the Bulldogs handle Wesley Chapel and Anclote. The runners-up are going to be on the road (in all likelihood) at River Ridge in the first round.
District 5A-8
River Ridge took this district by a stranglehold with a victory over their biggest obstacle in Z-Hills last week. They’ll face Anclote and Gulf the final two weeks–games in which they’ll be heavily favored to win. Zephyrhills’ loss forces them to win-out, but the ‘Dogs will be heavy favorites in their final two contests likely setting them up with a road trip to Nature Coast Tech.
District 5A-9
Gibbs is in the drivers seat in this district following their win over rivals Lakewood last week and must defeat winless Dunedin next week to seal the championship. Lakewood and Tarpon Springs meet on the 30th to determine who finishes in the second spot. Gibbs’ likely first round opponent is yet-to-be-determined since Jefferson, Robinson and Spoto have a chance to finish second in the district opposite. Winner of the Lakewood-Tarpon game is on the road at Jesuit.
District 5A-10
As referenced above, the Jesuit Tigers are all-but assured of their title provided they defeat Spoto next week. Jefferson, Robinson and Spoto all have something to say about the order of finish as Jefferson-Robinson will play on the 30th and Robinson-Spoto play this week. The runners-up in this district will be on the road in the first round most likely at Gibbs.
District 5A-11
Hardee and Lemon Bay sit atop this group and both have more-than-mangeable games left to assure themselves postseason play. Southeast had a golden opportunity to make their game at Hardee this week a battle for the district title, but their inability to capitalize against Lemon Bay last week now forces them to win and hope for the best. The winner of this group will host the loser of Dunbar vs. Immokalee which is likely to be the championship/runners-up determining game.
District 6A-6
Sunlake and Mitchell will meet this week to determine the district champion–provided Sunlake wins their final district game against the Mustangs that is. If Mitchell wins, they will have to defeat Land O’Lakes on the 30th in order to seal the deal. The district opposite of this one is 6A-5, currently lead by Ocala-Vanguard and in all likelihood Gainesville finishing as the runners-up.
District 6A-7
Armwood are your district champions with a defeat of King this Friday, with Brandon in the drivers seat for the runners-up. They’ll be playing Hillsborough which is an elimination game for the Terriers with Armwood still looming on the schedule on the 30th. Winner of this district will host Lake Gibson, Sebring or Lake Wales.
District 6A-8
As mentioned, Lake Gibson and Sebring will meet for the district championship and runners-up spot next week–provided Sebring chews the meat it has left on the bone with games versus Lake Wales this week and Lake Gibson next week. The Braves are 3-0 and can finish no worse than second at this point. The Blue Streaks are undefeated this season however.
District 6A-9
Clearwater and Largo meet this week in one of the oldest rivalries in the state, with the Packers in a must-win scenario in order to keep their double-digit consecutive playoff appearance streak intact. A Tornadoes victory means they’ll be playing Osceola for the postseason order on the 30th when they host the Warriors. A Largo win could send this one into chaos and closer to a potential tiebreaker scenario pending the outcome of Clearwater vs. Osceola. If Osceola goes 1-1 the last two district games, they’re in by virtue of the their tiebreaker with Largo. Looming on the horizon are Charlotte (7-0) and Port Charlotte (4-3) who will play for the 6A-10 title in Punta Gorda next week.