Six local teams secure playoff spots, more aim for postseason

With only two weeks left in the football season, 28 Broward and Palm Beach County teams are in line to make the postseason, with more still looking to fight their way in. The Florida High School Athletic Association released the updated points standings Tuesday afternoon, showing where each team stands. Of those 28 teams, six have clinched spots by winning district championships.

Here’s a look at the playoff picture and how local teams fare:

Class 8A: Things get interesting in Region 3. Atlantic and Palm Beach Central have clinched their districts, securing playoff spots. Deerfield Beach is second in points and could secure a spot with a district title if they beat Piper, which is eighth in points, on Friday. Wellington and Seminole Ridge are in line to earn at-large bids, sitting at sixth and seventh in points, respectively.

The biggest question comes from District 12-8A. If Western beats Miramar this week, the Wildcats clinch the district title. If they lose, the district title and any other playoff spots come down to a points tiebreaker between Miramar, Plantation and Western.

Class 7A: Region 4 is full of local teams, with Dwyer, which clinched its district, and St. Thomas Aquinas, which has not yet clinched its district, earning the top two spots. Those two teams are separated by 0.06 points. Behind those two is district winner McArthur and likely at-large qualifier Fort Lauderdale. Palm Beach Lakes is the No. 3 atlarge team, and Forest Hill is No. 4.

Class 6A: Dillard has nothing to worry about except seeding, having already clinched a district championship. As of now, the Panthers would likely be the fourth seed behind Daytona Beach Mainland, Palm Bay Heritage and the winner of District 16-6A.

Class 5A: All four district champion spots are taken in Region 4, and Cardinal Gibbons earned one of them with last week’s win over Hallandale. The Chiefs are the No. 3 seed in the region behind Rockledge and Orlando Jones. American Heritage is in line to be the fifth seed in the region despite being fourth in points; Fort Pierce Westwood clinching a district title puts it at No. 4 despite being 11th in points.

Class 4A: University School remains in the top spot in Region 4 and would earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Glades Central moves up to No. 3 in the region thanks to its victory over American Heritage-Delray. Pine Crest earned the sixth spot, and the Raiders and Panthers would play each other in the first round.

Class 3A: In Region 2, King’s Academy is stuck in the second spot behind Orlando First Academy. The Lions would receive a bye in the first round.

Cardinal Newman is fourth in Region 2 despite being tied with No. 3 Daytona Beach Father Lopez. The Crusaders, who beat Glades Day last week, would play Melbourne Central Catholic in the first round.

Region 4 has several local teams, with Chaminade-Madonna leading the way. Behind the Lions are Benjamin at No. 2, American Heritage-Delray at No. 3 and St. Andrew’s at No. 6. Chaminade and Benjamin would receive byes, and the Stallions would play the Scots in the first round.

Class 2A: After a loss to Cardinal Newman last week, Glades Day slipped from the top seed to No. 2 in Region 4. With the Gators’ two remaining opponents likely falling in Category 4, they will have a hard time boosting their points average higher than where they are now.

Class 1A: Despite last week’s loss to Seminole Ridge, Pahokee remains atop Region 4. The Blue Devils would receive a firstround bye.