The Bobcats handled a loaded American Heritage team on AH's home field, 24-7. The rest of their schedule is pretty soft, and so they are a lock to be in the playoff. And they are just about a lock to have a top 3-4 seed as well. West Boca lost a heartbreaker, 24-23 in OT, to a loaded Carol City team in week 0. That result is one where you can envision WB possibly winning a rematch with CC should it occur in the playoff.

Central rallying to a one-point win at OLU might set them up to make the playoff. They'll likely lose to Carol City. Had OLU been a loss, a two-loss Central likely is on the outside looking in. So, that win may have been the biggest for any team in the state last night. It's hard to see Central not making the top 8 now.

Venice winning 42-40 in a recently scheduled road game at Raybun-Gap sets up a showdown at Lakeland in two weeks. A win there likely ensures Venice will also make the playoff, as it is likely the toughest remaining game for Venice, given Raines appears to be a notch or two below last season. If Lakeland wins, they'd be two wins (American Heritage and The First Academy) away from making the playoffs themselves.

Chaminade appears to be significantly better than I and others assumed before the season. It's hard to see AH beating them. Sierra Canyon is a toss-up IMO. STA isn't out of the question for the Lions, but if that's their only loss they'll make the playoff. If they have losses to both SC and STA but they are really tight games, they belong in the playoff.

Mooney is noticeably down this season, and is definitely not Open playoff material. Interestingly, when you consider *perception* is dramatically more important than actual team quality, Mooney's being percieved based off of the 2025 team's quality combined with a really soft schedule may leave them in the running for the playoff. They may well manage to go unscathed through the weak schedule, and just coast as a top 8 team all season despite not being a top 20 team in the state based on actual team quality.

Deland won 35-34, following a narrowly missed two-point try by Lake Wales. The notion that Deland should legitimately be considered an Open playoff team is thoroughly amusing, and is perhaps driven by the business interests of certain promoters who see St. Frances Academy on their schedule.

It appears there is a clear Top 3 in the state: STA; West Boca and Carol City. Chaminade can make it a top 4 depending on some key games. The winner of Venice-Lakeland can make it a top 5, though either would have to be unbeaten to have a real case.

Any team not mentioned here is not a serious player for Open playoff participation. Though one or two teams not up to standard may make it anyway, due to the likely priority placed on straight W-L records in rankings.

IMG should be eligible... same animal.

IMG should be eligible... same animal.

I don't think so. IMG is a global sports Academy who can actively recruit outside of the state and 100% of their national team is transfers. Different animal

IMG should be eligible... same animal.

IMG can provide housing to players from all over the world. Any other team in Florida even suspected of possibly helping in any way with housing faces significant consequences. Not the same at all.

McEachern defeats West Broward with a last second INT, 20-13.

McEachern defeats West Broward with a last second INT, 20-13.

Closer than I thought. WB had everyone jump ship. And McEachern was coming in with their most talented team in a while. WB not getting their teeth kicked in will probably be a good moral victory for them. It doesn't get any easier

Closer than I thought. WB had everyone jump ship. And McEachern was coming in with their most talented team in a while. WB not getting their teeth kicked in will probably be a good moral victory for them. It doesn't get any easier

The result is also an endorsement of Lakeland, which running-clocked WB without its highest rated recruit, Dominick Harris-Payne, 44-12.

The result is also an endorsement of Lakeland, which running-clocked WB without its highest rated recruit, Dominick Harris-Payne, 44-12.

Lakeland is gonna be a force this year!

Lakeland is gonna be a force this year!

The Venice game will tell us a lot.

The result is also an endorsement of Lakeland, which running-clocked WB without its highest rated recruit, Dominick Harris-Payne, 44-12.

I missed that game.  When did Lakeland play WB?

I missed that game.  When did Lakeland play WB?

Before the season started 😝

Before the season started 😝

Ahhhh.  The FL first game scrimmages?  What are they called again?  KOC's?

Ahhhh.  The FL first game scrimmages?  What are they called again?  KOC's?

They are called classic practice exhibition preseason kickoff scrimmages.

I missed that game.  When did Lakeland play WB?

In one of those games that aren't games until they are.  Unless you lose.  Or win. 🤷�♂️

No wonder.  I was confused when I looked at their record this year and saw only 1 game played.  Lol