JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football teams are getting down to crunch time as the regular season winds down, and playoff bubble teams know what they have to do.
That’s particularly important for teams like Fleming Island, Fletcher, Jackson, North Florida Educational and Providence as Week 11 arrives, all of whom find themselves on the playoff bubble in the final week.
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The final playoff field will be announced Nov. 6 at noon.
Fletcher is in a tough spot, entering the final week ranked No. 9 in Region 1-6A and facing a steep climb. The Senators (6-3) face Trinity Christian on Thursday night and no doubt need a win to have a chance. The Senators have an 8.666 rating, more than two full points behind No. 8 Crestview for the final spot.
Jackson is on the cutline in Region 1-2A. The Tigers rank ninth this week (-3.585), but within reach of No. 8 Walton (-3.359). The Tigers very likely get in the playoffs with a win over 4-5 First Coast.
In 1-3A, Baker County (4-5) enters the final week in the eighth and final spot, but it should be safe.
Fleming Island is in eighth in Region 1-5A, but would get squeezed out by district champ Tallahassee Lincoln if the playoffs began today. If the Golden Eagles beat Flagler Palm Coast and Beachside, they’d likely jump Middleburg or Niceville.
In Region 1-1A, Providence and North Florida Educational are fighting for the final spot. The Stallions (-0.304) are in that spot this week, trailed closely by NFEI (-0.412). The Eagles have what should be an easy opponent in Young Kids in Motion, while Providence faces a difficult task in Bishop Kenny.
In the Rural class, Fort White is hanging on to the 16th and final playoff spot.
Who’s in the playoffs
Only district champions have officially played their way into the postseason. Here are the teams who have clinched.
1-7A: Creekside.
1-6A: Mandarin.
3-6A: Gainesville Buchholz.
3-5A: Beachside, Ponte Vedra and Fleming Island are still in contention.
4-5A: Mainland.
3-4A: St. Augustine.
4-4A: White.
2-3A: Wakulla.
3-3A: Raines.
4-3A: Bishop Kenny.
5-2A: Bradford.
4-2A: Bolles.
2-1A: Trinity Christian.
3-1A: University Christian.
5-1A: Father Lopez.
Who’s in otherwise
Nothing will be official until the postseason brackets are released, but these local teams locks.
Region 1-7A: Creekside.
Region 1-6A: Mandarin, Nease, Oakleaf.
Region 1-5A: Ponte Vedra, Beachside.
Region 1-4A: St. Augustine, Columbia, White
Region 1-3A: Raines, Bishop Kenny, Yulee.
Region 1-2A: Bolles, Baldwin.
Region 2-2A: Bradford.
Region 1-1A: University Christian, Trinity Christian, Impact Christian, Episcopal.