Home / Sports / 5A Football: New Era Dawns as Top Teams Shuffle
5A Football: New Era Dawns as Top Teams Shuffle
7 Nov
Summary
- West Boca, the back-to-back champion, is out of the Class 5A bracket.
- Mandarin and Buchholz are top seeds in a competitive Region 1.
- Several teams are vying for the state championship with no clear favorite.
The Class 5A playoff bracket has been unveiled, revealing a new landscape for the state championship race. Notably, two-time defending champion West Boca has been moved to the inaugural FHSAA Open Division, vacating their traditional spot in the 5A bracket and creating an opening for new contenders.
In Region 1, Mandarin secures the top seed. They are on the opposite side of the bracket from Buchholz, another formidable program. Region 2 sees Sebring as the No. 1 seed, while Region 3 is led by undefeated Armwood, facing a potential rematch with Tampa Bay Tech. Archbishop McCarthy is the top seed in Region 4.
Region 1's bracket features a compelling potential matchup between top seeds Mandarin and Buchholz, who have a history of close games. Region 2 faces uncertainty without Lakeland in the Open Division, making it a more open race. Region 3's Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech are strong contenders, with Palmetto and Royal Palm Beach also posing threats.
Region 4, missing powerhouses St. Thomas Aquinas and West Boca, appears more accessible. Archbishop McCarthy leads this region, though Coconut Creek and Southridge are also strong contenders, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's playoffs.
