26 local teams in line for playoffs

If the season ended today, 26 teams from Broward and Palm Beach counties would get a chance to play for a state title.

The Florida High School Athletic Association released the updated points standings Tuesday, showing where each team stands. Here’s how the playoff picture looks in each class.

Class 8A: In Region 3, Atlantic (the No. 1 team in Palm Beach County) and Deerfield Beach (the No. 3 team in Broward), both likely district winners, earn the top two seeds. Behind them, also potentially hosting as a district champion, would be Plantation or Western, though that district has yet to be decided. Palm Beach Central, who is in the lead in District 9-8A is fifth in points, with Piper, Wellington and Park Vista behind it.

Miramar is the first team out in the region, but the Patriots are only 0.28 points behind the Cobras. The Patriots can still earn an automatic berth if they beat Western and earn the tiebreaker on points. Otherwise, they will need to earn enough points to be a wildcard team.

Class 7A: Likely district champions St. Thomas Aquinas and Dwyer lead the way in Region 4, with undefeated McArthur right behind them. Palm Beach Lakes is sixth in the region, thanks in part to a strong schedule, and Fort Lauderdale is eighth.

Forest Hill is the first team out, sitting 0.86 points behind Fort Lauderdale.

Class 6A: Dillard is the only local team currently in the mix for a playoff spot in Class 6A. The Panthers have clinched District 16-6A and will get a home game in the first round.

Class 5A: Cardinal Gibbons, coming off a big win against American Heritage, is in the driver’s seat for District 16-5A’s assured playoff spot. The Chiefs have two district games left, but right now, they would get home-field advantage as a district champion. American Heritage would also make the playoffs as the No. 5 team in the region.

Fort Pierce Westwood, which has clinched District 15-5A despite being 10th in points, would force Heritage to the fifth seed and a road game in the playoffs. Fort Pierce Westwood’s position also pushes Coconut Creek out of the playoffs despite being eighth in points.

Class 4A: University School is ranked first in Region 4 with Glades Central fourth and Pine Crest sixth. The Sharks and Panthers would play each other in the first round, while the Raiders would play Miami Monsignor Pace.

Class 3A: King’s Academy is currently second in Region 2, with Cardinal Newman earning the fourth spot. The Lions would host Melbourne Central Catholic in the first round of the playoffs, while the Crusaders would travel to Daytona Beach to play Father Lopez.

In the second local Class 3A region, Region 4, American Heritage-Delray is the No. 1 seed, ChaminadeMadonna is second and Benjamin is third. The Stallions would play Homestead Everglades Prep in the first round, the Lions would get Miami Palmer Trinity and the Buccaneers would host Miami Westminster Christian.

Class 2A: Glades Day is the only local Class 2A team to currently be in line for the playoffs, earning the top seed in Region 4. The Gators are 0.04 points ahead of No. 2 Moore Haven. Glades Day is in line to play Naples-First Baptist Academy.

Class 1A: Pahokee is the current No. 1 seed in Region 4 and would host Williston in the first round of the playoffs.