It’s November Madness in the Sunshine State. Time to get you ready from top to bottom for the first round of action!
RUN IT BACK: There are 7 rematches from the regular season. Zephyrhills Christian defeated Seffner Christian in week three, Lake Wales snuck by Sebring earlier this year, Largo blasted Countryside, Springstead lost to Lake Minneola just two weeks ago in a one-possession game, while Palmetto handled Braden River earlier in the regular season. We also had an instant classic week four when Lake Gibson defeated Auburndale in overtime, while Lakeland manhandled Wiregrass in a district game. How many of those go the other way this time?
REGIONAL CHAOS 5A-Region 3: There are about 2-3 regions that are absolutely awesome for the fans and media, but a complete nightmare for all involved. Starting with 5A-Region 3, this one shapes up to be one of the most competitive from the #1-seed all the way through the #8-seed. That’s the one that has Chamberlain heading to Rockledge, the #1-team in terms of RPI in all of Class 5A, but a team that can be beaten when you punch them in the mouth. There’s the 7-seeded Sebring headed back to Lake Wales for a game they were a couple of plays from winning. There’s a dangerous 6-seed Port Orange Atlantic that’s 2-plays from being 9-1 that was in a district with 8-1 Rockledge and 9-1 Eau Gallie. And speaking of the Commodores, they’re headed to town to face Jesuit in a dangerous 4-5 matchup.
REGIONAL CHAOS: 6A-Region 3: Hillsborough will host Port Charlotte in the first round, who finished #2 overall in the regional RPI, but lost to Palmetto. Not to mention that Lake Gibson, as well as Palmetto (#1 team overall in 6A RPI) are in there on top of Charlotte and Auburndale, who have enough to upset the entire thing. Once they’re done with the regional gauntlet in 6A-R3? They get one of 5 teams from 6A-R4 named Naples, Fort Myers, Dillard, Miami Central, or Dunbar. WOOF.
WAY SAY YOU, JOE: So here’s Joe Pinkos’ take and what the algorithm says for the finals predictions plus this week’s lines for the first round. THIS IS ONE YOU WANT TO CLICK: And yes, they picked St. Thomas Aquinas to play in the 7A, but against Armwood, not Lakeland. UH-OH. https://floridahsfootball.com/2019/11/05/joe-pinkos-joe-pinkos-regional-quarterfinals-playoff-forecast/
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Make sure you stick around for tomorrow as we will have instant reaction from tonight’s games. We will also have all the scores from around the state as well!!