Which Bradenton area football teams could make the playoffs? Here’s a look at final week
It’s the final week of the high school football regular season.
For some teams, it’s the end of the road, while others are aiming to secure a playoff berth if they haven’t locked one up already.
The Florida High School Athletic Association revamped the playoff system last offseason, dividing schools into metro, suburban and rural classifications.
That means Manatee County programs, which are in the suburban class, won’t battle teams from South Florida, Tampa or Orlando when the playoffs begin Nov. 11.
There are eight playoff berths per region, comprised of four district champions and four at-large berths. It’s seeded off the FHSAA Power Rankings, meaning district champions are no longer guaranteed a top four seed.
Here’s a look at the scenarios in the regular season finales, and where teams currently stand before the FHSAA unveils the official brackets Sunday at 11 a.m. on YouTube:
Class 4S-District 13
PALMETTO
Current: The Tigers (6-3 overall, 2-0 district) won the district championship with a 26-21 victory over rival Manatee last week. They’re currently seeded fourth and would play Fort Myers Riverdale in a home playoff game on Nov. 11
At stake: Palmetto’s final position will get revealed Sunday after this week’s results are calculated into the FHSAA Power Rankings. The Tigers win automatically qualified them for the playoffs, though.
MANATEE COUNTY
Current: Despite losing the district title to rival Palmetto, the Hurricanes are seeded ahead of the Tigers in the latest FHSAA Power Rankings. Manatee (5-3) are seeded third and slotted, at the moment, to play Lehigh in the region quarterfinals on Nov. 11.
At stake: A victory over their longtime rivals Southeast this week assures the Canes an at-large playoff berth, but the seeding and who they’ll face in next week’s playoff opener won’t be announced until Sunday.
LAKEWOOD RANCH
Current: Saddled in a three-team district, the Mustangs (6-3) are still in contention for an at-large playoff berth. Their three losses were to teams likely to make the playoffs if not already qualified — Palmetto, Manatee and Braden River. The Mustangs are seeded seventh at the moment, which would mean playing at Naples Gulf Coast on Nov. 11.
At stake: The Mustangs must defeat Sarasota Booker this week to have a shot at an at-large playoff berth. Lakewood Ranch has a narrow 0.010 point lead over Sarasota for the seventh seed entering this week’s finale. Booker is also fighting for an at-large playoff berth in Class 2S-Region 4, currently holding the eighth and final seed.
Class 3S-13
BRADEN RIVER
Current: The Pirates (5-3, 2-0) are seeded seventh in the FHSAA Power Ranking system. But they have everything to play for Friday against Port Charlotte, a game moved to East Manatee due to the lights at Port Charlotte High’s stadium not working properly.
At stake: Braden River’s game against Port Charlotte is for the district championship. Both teams, known as the Pirates, automatically qualify for the playoffs with a win. A loss means they’ll need to monitor other results and Sunday’s bracket selection show to see if they’ve nabbed one of the four at-large berths.
SOUTHEAST
Current: The Seminoles (1-7) were eliminated from the district title race with last week’s loss to Braden River.
At stake: Entering this week, Southeast is ranked 15th in the FHSAA Power Rankings, which means this week’s game with longtime rival Manatee is about pride. Only the top eight teams per region in each class qualify for the playoffs.
PARRISH COMMUNITY
Current: The Bulls started off hot this season, getting 4-0 for the first time in program history. But four straight losses has eliminated them from district title contention and sitting 12th in the power rankings.
At stake: The youngest public high school wraps up their regular season against Mulberry with a chance to earn the program’s first winning season. Like district foe Southeast, they’re likely too far back in the power ranking system to move up with a win to gain an at-large playoff berth.
Class 2S-15
BAYSHORE
Current: Bayshore has long been eliminated from playoff contention. The Bruins are winless this season.
At stake: The Bruins are aiming to win their first game of the season when they travel to Sarasota to play Cardinal Mooney on Friday.
Independent
Programs under an independent status are not eligible to compete in the FHSAA state playoffs. That would be the private schools in the area. IMG Academy’s national team, which is ranked No. 10 in the MaxPreps’ national rankings, as well as their Blue and White teams are not eligible.
Neither are Bradenton Christian, Saint Stephen’s and Out-of-Door Academy. However, those three teams compete in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. BCS saw its season end last week in the first round of the SSAC playoffs.
Meanwhile, unbeaten ODA plays host to Saint Stephen’s in the SSAC 5A semifinal Friday.
This story was originally published November 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
