High school football playoff brackets are out. Here are South Florida’s matchups

By Jordan McPherson

November 4, 2018 11:51 AM

Can Henry Parrish and the Columbus Explorers make another statement win this week when they face Carol City? Andrew Uloza For the Miami Herald

After 11 weeks of regular-season action, the high school football playoffs are officially here.

The Florida High School Athletic Association on Sunday released the postseason brackets for all eight classifications, setting the stage for the road to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, where state champions will be crowned from Dec. 6-8.

Below are the seeding and opening-round matchups for regions involving Miami-Dade and Broward County teams.

For Classes 8A-5A, the top four seeds are district champions, with seeds Nos. 5-8 being the next four highest ranked teams based on the FHSAA’s power rankings. In Classes 4A-1A, where there are no formal districts, the top six teams in each region are determined solely by the power rankings. The top two teams in those classes receive a first-round bye. The higher seed serves as host.

Region 3-8A

The matchups: No. 1 Deerfield Beach (9-1) vs. No. 8 Miramar (6-4); No. 2 Atlantic (10-0) vs. No. 7 Western (8-2); No. 3 Palm Beach Central (9-1) vs. No. 6 Wellington (6-4); No. 4 Plantation (9-1) vs. No. 5 Piper (6-4)

Quick thoughts: Barring anything crazy happening in the first two rounds, the region will come down to Deerfield Beach and Atlantic playing for a spot in the state semifinal.

Region 4-8A

The matchups: No. 1 Columbus (10-0) vs. No. 8 Coral Gables (6-4); No. 2 Southridge (8-2) vs. No. 7 North Miami (8-2); No. 3 Hialeah (9-1) vs. No. 6 South Dade (8-2); No. 4 Belen Jesuit (8-2) vs. No. 5 Palmetto (9-1)

Quick thoughts: Columbus has been the top team in the region all year, but don’t be surprised if any of the three teams from District 16-8A (Southridge, Palmetto and South Dade) make a splash.

Region 4-7A

The matchups: No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1) vs. No. 8 South Miami (8-2); No. 2 Dwyer (9-1) vs. No. 7 West Broward (7-3); No. 3 McArthur (9-1) vs. No. 6 Palm Beach Lakes (7-3); No. 4 Doral (8-2) vs. No. 5 Fort Lauderdale (8-2)

Quick thoughts: The region is St. Thomas Aquinas’ to lose, with Palm Beach County’s Dwyer being the only real test.

Region 4-6A

The matchups: No. 1 Carol City (8-2) vs. No. 8 Norland (4-6); No. 2 Palm Bay Heritage (8-2) vs. No. 7 Eau Gallie (7-3); No. 3 Daytona Beach Mainland (7-3) vs. No. 6 Northwestern (5-5); No. 4 Dillard (8-2) vs. No. 5 Central (8-2)

Quick thoughts: Circle Nov. 16 on your calendar. The likely matchup between Carol City and Central in the regional semifinal should make up one half of the Class 6A championship game.

Region 4-5A

The matchups: No. 1 Rockledge (9-1) vs. No. 8 Coconut Creek (6-4); No. 2 Cardinal Gibbons (8-2) vs. No. 7 Merritt Island (5-5); No. 3 Orlando Jones (9-1) vs. No. 6 Bishop Moore (6-4); No. 4 Fort Pierce Westwood (7-3) vs. No. 5 Plantation American Heritage (8-1)

Quick thoughts: Three teams from District 16-5A advanced this year, led by district champ Cardinal Gibbons. Is this finally the year the Chiefs break through and make it to state?

Region 4-4A

The matchups: No. 1 University School (9-1; first-round bye); No. 2 Booker T. Washington (5-5; first-round bye); No. 3 Glades Central (7-3) vs. No. 6 Coral Springs Charter (7-1); No. 4 Monsignor Pace (5-5) vs. No. 5 Gulliver Prep (7-3)

Quick thoughts: University School ran the table until being shut out by Chaminade-Madonna in its regular season finale. The Sharks are likely still considered the favorite in the class but need to avoid another letdown. A regional final between University School and Booker T. seems likely.

Region 4-3A

The matchups: No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna (8-2; first-round bye); No. 2 Palm Beach Benjamin (9-1; first-round bye); No. 3 Delray American Heritage (7-3) vs. No. 6 Calvary Christian (5-5); No. 4 Westminster Christian (8-0) vs. No. 5 Palmer Trinity (7-2)

Quick thoughts: Defending state champion Chaminade-Madonna is the top team in its region and arguably the top team in its class. A chance for the Lions to make a third consecutive appearance in the state final is likely if not expected.

Region 4-2A

The matchups: No. 1 Moore Haven (8-1; first-round bye); No. 2 St. John Neumann (9-1; first-round bye); No. 3 Glades Day (6-4) vs. No. 6 Naples First Baptist (3-5); No. 4 Miami Christian (7-1) vs. No. 5 Champagnat Catholic (4-5)

Quick thoughts: All of South Florida’s marbles in Class 2A are packaged together in a first-round matchup between Miami Christian and defending state champion Champagnat.