This week we’re taking a look at the district football races for teams in the Prep Zone’s coverage area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties).
Here are the release dates:
Sunday, October 4 – Class 8A
Monday, October 5 – Class 7A
Tuesday, October 6 – Class 6A
Wednesday, October 7 – Class 5A
Monday, October 12 – Class 4A
Tuesday, October 13 – Class 3A
Wednesday, October 14 – Class 2A
Thursday, October 15 – Class 1A
7A-District 4
Edgewater (Orlando) (3-2, 2-0)
Lake Minneola (4-1, 2-1)
Hagerty (Oviedo) (3-2, 2-1)
East Ridge (Clermont) (4-2, 1-1)
Ocoee (2-3, 1-2)
West Port (Ocala) (1-4, 1-2)
Lake Howell (Winter Park) (1-4, 0-2)
Week #6 scores
East Ridge (Clermont) (4-2, 1-1) 42, Lake Minneola (4-1, 2-1) 21
Edgewater (Orlando) (3-2, 2-0) 48, West Port (Ocala) (1-4, 1-2) 0
Hagerty (Oviedo) (3-2, 2-1) 28, Ocoee (2-3, 1-2) 17
Lake Howell – OFF
Playoff outlook:
Lake Minneola (2-1), East Ridge (Clermont) (1-1) & West Port (Ocala) (1-2), the only three of the seven within the Prep Zone’s coverage area, are all still mathematically alive. The No. 2 Hawks’ loss at East Ridge was their first of the season. Two of their final three district games will be at home. If they win at Edgewater (Orlando) (3-2, 2-0) on October 16, then we could end up having a three-way shootout on a Monday night after the district season is over to determine who is going to the postseason.
East Ridge stayed alive by handing Lake Minneola its first loss. However, the Knights have road trips to Hagerty (3-2, 2-1) and West Port (Ocala), which is in a must-win situation and will have to be road warriors. The Wolfpack must beat Ocoee and Lake Minneola on the road just to have a chance.
7A-District 3
Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (4-2, 2-0)
Buchholz (Gainesville) (4-1, 1-0)
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (5-1, 1-1)
Fleming Island (Orange Park) (2-3, 0-2)
Creekside (St. Johns) (0-6, 0-1)
Week #6 scores
Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (4-2, 2-0) 31, Creekside (St. Johns) (0-6, 0-2) 0
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (5-1, 1-1) 30, Fleming Island (Orange Park) (2-3, 0-2) 16
Buchholz (Gainesville) – OFF
Playoff outlook:
Buchholz (Gainesville) hasn’t had a winning season in 10 years. However, the Bobcats upset victory at Oakleaf (Orange Park) on September 18 put the ‘Cats (4-1, 1-0) in the driver’s seat to control their own destiny. For the first time ever, Buchholz will play a game on their home campus on October 16 against Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (4-2, 2-0) in a battle for first place. It’s also Homecoming for the Bobcats.
Defending district champion Oakleaf (5-1, 1-1) still has a chance to get back in the race. The Knights play their final two games in the league on the road, including their district finale at Bartram Trail on Friday, October 30. If Buchholz defeats Bartram Trail in two weeks, then Oakleaf’s game at Bartram Tail would likely be for the runner-up spot.
7A-District 2
Columbia (Lake City) (4-1, 1-0)
Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (4-2, 1-1)
Lee (Jacksonville) (3-2, 1-1)
Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (3-3, 1-1)
First Coast (Jacksonville) (1-4, 0-1)
Week #6 scores
Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (4-2, 1-1) 17, First Coast (Jacksonville) (1-4, 0-1) 14
Lee (Jacksonville) (3-2, 1-1) 10, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (3-3, 1-1) 7
Columbia (Lake City) – OFF
Playoff outlook:
Columbia (Lake City) rolled over Lee (Jacksonville), which surprised Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville), which won at Fletcher (Neptune Beach), which defeated league favorite First Coast (Jacksonville). That gives the Tigers (4-1, 1-0) the early leg up in this competitive and wide open district. Columbia’s toughest test will come at Fletcher on October 23.
Despite the loss to Fletcher, don’t count First Coast out just yet. The Bucs had their string of 15 consecutive district wins snapped last Friday and they’ll be playing with their backs against the wall the rest of the way. If First Coast can run the table, which would include a win at Columbia on October 30, then they will get back to the state playoffs.
