Marcus Benjamin @_BenjaminMoney
Statements and upsets were made in the first round of the FHSAA playoffs last weekend. Some high seeds proved why they were seeded as high as they are, while some low seeds proved that they are better than their seeding would suggest. The second round of these playoffs just be the most intriguing. Many can assume that championships will be won in this round based on strong regions. We take a look at the week that was and the week that will be.
Lower Seeds Defeating Higher Seeds
Many doubted the Wildcats last year and they were able to pull off two playoff wins despite the odds not in their favor. The Cats started these 8A playoffs with a bang defeating the previously undefeated Eagles of Atlantic (Delray). They face Palm Beach Central (10-1) in the second round in Wellington. Western (Davie) (9-2) defeated the Broncos last year in the playoffs.
In matchups that featured lower seeded teams versus high seeds, lower seeds won 34 times proving that when it’s playoff time, throw the seeds out the window. Some of those matchups we expected like Miami Palmetto (10-1) over Belen Jesuit (Miami) (8-3), Miami Northwestern (6-5) over Mainland (Daytona Beach) (7-4), Miami Central (10-2) over Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (8-4), Escambia (Pensacola) (9-2) over St. Augustine (5-6), Edgewater (Orlando) (10-1) over Bucholz (Gainesville) (7-4) and American Heritage (Plantation) (9-1) over Westwood (Fort Pierce) (7-5), while other matchups were strong statements by the lower seeds putting the next round opponents on notice like, Manatee (Bradenton) (8-4) over Osceola (Kissimmee) (9-3), Palm Beach Lakes (8-3) over McArthur (Hollywood) (9-2) and Palmetto (9-3) handing Pinellas Park (Largo) their first and only loss of the season (10-1).
Bloomingdale (Valrico) (10-1) and Palmetto will face off in the second round forcing a six or a seven seed into the 7A regional final the following week. Bloomingdale handed Riverdale (Fort Myers) (10-1) their first loss of the season 45-8. The winner will face 7A defending champion Venice (10-1) or Braden River (Bradenton) (9-2). Braden River upset Plant City (9-2) last week 28-23 and get a rematch with the defending champs at Venice where they suffered a 24-21 loss earlier this season.
Fort Lauderdale (9-2) won their first playoff game since 1966 as they dismantled Doral Academy (9-3).
Alright L’s. First playoff win and 30+ years. We couldn’t be prouder of tremendous group of young men and coaches pic.twitter.com/Ux8oMU31jc
— Flying L’s Athletics (@FlyingLsAthlete) November 10, 2018
In ‘66 gas was .32 cents a gallon and the Miami Dolphins played their first NFL game at the old Orange Bowl. They face the juggernaut that is St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (10-1) in round two.
Besides a ten point loss to Armwood (Seffner) (10-1), Jefferson (Tampa) (6-5) lost four games by an average of three points. They were able to pull out a three point victory over undefeated Hardee (Wauchula) (10-1) 19-16. Hardee was the only number one seed to lose in the first round in these 2018 playoffs. Let’s see if they keep it going as they travel to Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (6-5) this weekend.
Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (6-5) sent a message letting all of 2A know dethroning them from their state championship will not be easy. The Lions edged Miami Christian (7-2) 20-19 and march on to play top seeded Moore Haven (8-1) next.
Defending Champs Last Stand?
We will see what the defending champions of 8A Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (6-5) have as they face the favorite to move on through the region Vero Beach (11-0). The Indians come into the game undefeated and started their season by defeating 7A defending champion Venice. Dr. Phillips lost five of their first seven games and found themselves in must win situations to make the playoffs. After reeling off three straight wins, the Panthers triumphed in the first round defeating Centennial (Port St. Lucie) (7-3) 34-28 in overtime. One of Vero Beach’s closest wins of the season was to district opponent Centennial 20-15.
American Heritage (Plantation) lost a ton of talent to graduation last year in what many saw as the greatest team in their school’s history. Heritage find themselves in unfamiliar territory having to go on the road if Orlando is going to be once again their final destination. Heritage’s loss to Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (9-2) on their home field causes the Patriots to travel on this playoff run as they were on the road last week and defeated Westwood 37-14.
Rockledge (10-1) is the number one seed in the region and lost to Cardinal Gibbons in this same scenario last season.
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (8-2), Raines (Jacksonville) (9-1) and Madison County (9-1) all begin their state title defenses this week as all had byes last week.
Big Game Rematches
“If at first you don’t succeed…try again.” It’s always tough to beat a team twice in a season and in this second round of the playoffs, the second time is more important than the first. Several teams will face a team that they faced in the regular season and we will see if the sequel is better than the original.
Wekiva (Apopka) (10-1) is now starting to get the better of Apopka (9-3) as they have now won the last two games versus their crosstown rival but failed to in the previous eleven. The Mustangs won district 4-8A and the coveted Mayor’s cup by shutting out the Blue Darters 35-0 about three weeks ago. Wekiva advanced through their first rematch in these playoffs taking care of West Orange 16-0. West Orange (7-4) was the only team to defeat the Mustangs this season. They square off at Wekiva Friday with the winner moving on to the regional final.
Columbia (Lake City) (10-1) will attempt to overcome their second rematch of these 2018 playoffs as they take on Lee (Jacksonville) (9-1) in the second round. The Tigers defeated the Generals 42-37 back in September and will look to continue their strong season and prove that their number one seeding is merited. Lee’s only loss of the season was to Columbia and have since won six straight games.
Miami Southridge (9-2) and South Dade (Homestead) (9-2) play in one of the toughest districts in all of Florida. District 16-8A sent three teams to the playoffs and all easily advanced to the second round. South Dade’s only losses were to district opponents Southridge and Palmetto by a total of five points and the Bucs will have an opportunity to right their wrongs in the second round. The Bucs took care of business defeating Hialeah in the first round 49-14.
The Spartans emerged as champions of the district and will need everything they have to fight off their rivals on their home field Friday night.
Miami Central versus Miami Carol City (9-2) really does not need an introduction. The two top teams in the state have speed, size, strength and senior leadership at quarterback. In the first matchup, Carol City took advantage of some mistakes and Central could never fully recover. I expect the winner of this game to limit the mistakes and take advantage of the turnover battle. Should be another great one as the winner likely punches their ticket to Orlando.
Clearwater Central Catholic (10-0) is the other team to challenge Chaminade-Madonna for the state title but first they have to get passed a rematch with Tampa Catholic (8-3). Clearwater Central comes in to this matchup undefeated and destined to make a run to Orlando. The Marauders defeated Tampa Catholic 34-14 on the Crusaders home field and this time get them at their place Friday night.
Other Rematches To Watch This Weekend
Kathleen (Lakeland) (6-4) at Lakeland (11-0)
Palm Beach Lakes (8-3) at Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (10-1)
Esambia (Pensacola) (9-2) at Navarre (10-1)
North Fort Myers (8-3) at Charlotte (Punta Gorda) (9-2)
LaBelle (8-3) at Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) (8-2)
Calvary Christian (Clearwater) (6-5) at Berkeley Prep (Tampa) (6-3)
Carrollwood Day (Tampa) (6-5) at Seffner Christian (10-0)
Dixie County (Cross City) (8-3) at Chiefland (9-1)
Northview (Bratt) (8-4) at Baker (10-0)
Jefferson County (Monticello) (6-4) at Sneads (8-1)
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