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Tentative district assignments offer interesting matchups for Tampa Bay football teams

 
Published Dec. 15, 2014

The Florida High School Athletic Association released its tentative district assignments for football Monday, and things are (possibly) changing quite a bit for 2015-18. In addition to assignments now being set for four years instead of two, here are some of the biggest shake-ups for Tampa Bay teams:

Tougher road for Jesuit: For the past two seasons, the Tigers have benefitted from playing in a three-team district and only having to win one game to make the playoffs. Now, Jesuit has to get through six other teams -— Jefferson, Lake Wales Middleton, Spoto, Robinson and Lakeland Tenoroc — in the newly formed Class 5A, District 10, one of the largest districts in the state.

Plant rivalry gains new meaning: In recent years, the Panthers have had a sort of rivalry with Sickles, a program on the rise thanks to running back Ray Ray McCloud III. Those games will mean even more now that the teams are in the same district. Plant moved from Class 8A down to 7A and is in a district with the Gryphons, Freedom, Gaither, Wiregrass Ranch, Leto and Wharton. Plant vs. Leto or Wiregrass Ranch might not be competitive, but Gaither and Sickles could prove to be tough opponents for the Panthers, who haven't lost a district game in more than a decade.

PHU stays put, St. Pete moves down: Palm Harbor University is now the only Pinellas team in Class 8A, and the district didn't get any easier. Bradenton Manatee and Sarasota Riverview stay in 8A-7. The district adds Alonso, Riverview, Newsome and Steinbrenner. The Hurricanes will be on the bus for a while during road games in the district with each school at least 40 miles away round-trip. Think it could be a little confusing when Riverview plays Riverview?

Lennard moves up: Lennard had a breakout season, recording a program-best 8-3 record. Freshman quarterback Devin Black will likely only get better, meaning the Longhorns have a chance to continue their rise. Aiding them will be the fact that they've moved out of a district with perennial powerhouses Armwood and Hillsborough and into 7A-9 with Bloomingdale, Strawberry Crest, Plant City, East Bay, Tampa Bay Tech and Durant. It's early yet, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Lennard contend for a playoff spot in its new district home.

Boca Ciega moves up to 6A-9: The Pirates have a whole new set of rivals in this district — Clearwater, Dixie Hollins, Largo, Northeast and Osceola. The good news for the Pirates is that they still don't have to travel out of the county to play district games.

Pasco jumps: After years of playing in lower classifications, Pasco is moving on up — to Class 6A. The Pirates will join Land O'Lakes, Lecanto, Mitchell, Springstead and Sunlake. The game against the Seahawks should turn into an even bigger rivalry with more at stake.

Seffner makes district debut: After years playing as an independent, Seffner Christian makes its district debut, entering 2A-5 with Sarasota Out-of-Door, Bradenton Christian, Cambridge Christian and Carrollwood Day. Last year the Crusaders posted winning scores like 42-0 and 41-6 against lowly competition. Next year they should get a strong dose of competition playing against district opponents that have been successful as of late.

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new three-team district: Jesuit's loss is now Tampa Catholic and Berkeley Prep's gain. For the past two years, the Tigers had an easy road, playing in a district with just Spoto and Middleton. Now it's the Bucs and Crusaders' turn. Tampa Catholic and Berkeley Prep have been in a tough district — so much so that it was decided in a three-way tie-breaker this season. Now, the two will be in a district with just one other team, Lakeland Christian, meaning either the Bucs or Crusaders will at least make the first round of the playoffs for the next two seasons.

South Sumter no longer a threat: Hernando and Pasco County teams, especially those in the district formerly known as Class 5A-6, had to rejoice at the news that powerhouse South Sumter has moved to down to 4A. Tampa Bay has no teams in that classification. In the past two seasons, the Raiders were dominant against North Suncoast teams, beating them by an average score of 43-11 while going undefeated in district play.

Four-team 2A-6 district: Admiral Farragut fell from 3A to 2A. Canterbury, Indian Rocks Christian and Northside Christian join the Blue Jackets to round out the district (Hillsborough teams Cambridge and CDS stay in the original 2A-5 league). For now, it looks like a district Indian Rocks can dominate for a while.