With many teams in our area already guaranteed a spot (Choctaw, Baker, Pensacola Catholic), some sit in limbo (Crestview, Tate, Milton and Niceville).
Playoff games begin Friday, October 14.
After 11 weeks of local football action, filled with upsets, comeback victories and impressive performances, local teams will finally know where they stand come next Friday as the 2025 playoffs begin.
Beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) will release the brackets for in all classifications, from rural to 7A. In the Mid Bay News coverage area, only brackets from Rural (Baker) to 6A (Crestview, Pace and Tate) will matter to us today.
Below is a live blog that will update when results come in. The most recent updates will be towards the top, with older updates at the bottom.
Update: 12:30 p.m.
Region 1-6A Bracket
No. 1 Buchholz vs No. 8 Oviedo
No. 4. Nease vs. No. 5 Oakleaf
No. 2 Mandarin vs No. 7 Crestview
No. 3 Pace vs. No. 6 Evans
Update: 12:23 p.m.
Region 1-5A Bracket
No.1 Ponte Vedra vs No. 8 Niceville
No.4 Beachside vs No. 5 Milton
No. 2 Mainland vs No. 7 Middleburg
No. 3 Mosley vs. No. 6 Lincoln
Update: 12:19 p.m.
Region 1-4A Bracket
St . Augustine takes the #1 seed and will host #8 seed Panama City-Arnold.
No. 4 Ed White vs. No. 5 Pine Forest
No. 2 Choctaw vs No. 7 Booker T. Washington
No. 3 Columbia vs. No. 6 Rickards
Update: 12:16
3A-Region 1 Bracket
No. 8 Baker County vs No. 1 Raines
No. 5 West Florida vs No. 4 Yulee
No. 7 Godby vs No. 2 Bay
No. 6 Wakulla vs No. 3 Bishop Kenny
Update: 12:14 p.m.
2A-Region 1 Bracket
No. 8 Walton at No. 1 Bolles
No. 6 Baldwin at No. 4 Florida High (Tallahassee)
No. 7 Bozeman (Panama City) at No. 2 Pensacola Catholic
No. 6 Freeport at No. 3 South Walton
Update: 12:10 p.m.
Class 2A is up next. Catholic and Bozeman are District Champions. South Walton, Freeport and Walton looking for seeding.
Update: 12:04 p.m.
Blountstown will enter as the #1 seed and host #14 seed Jay.
Matt Brunson and the Baker Gators are slotted in as an 6 seed and host No. 11 Liberty County.
Update: 12:01 p.m.
Rural classification is up first.
Update: 12 p.m.
The FHSAA Bracket Release Show is live. To watch live, visit the FHSAA YouTube page.
Update: 11:49 a.m.
Per USA Today Florida Network reporting, a lawyer representing The First Academy’s players said that the Royals most likely will not be on the 1A bracket if it is announced today. 1A bracket might be delayed until after the hearing on Monday.
Update: 11 a.m.
The FHSAA Bracket Release has been delayed by an hour, per FHSAA.
The reason for the delay was due to a court ordered injunction by The First Academy (Orlando) to lift a playoff ban. The First Academy played no district games (6-1A) and finished 5-5.
Playoff Picture (Post Week 11) 10:30 a.m.
With Baker going undefeated in Rural, currently sitting as the #8 seed, Mid Bay News can project that Matt Brunson and the Baker Gators will be playoff bound.
In 2A, both Pensacola Catholic and Bozeman won their respective districts outright and will be guaranteed in the playoffs. As for South Walton, they were the runner-up in 1-2A and were ranked third as of Oct. 28.
As for Walton and Freeport, who both picked up Week 11 wins, they both sit at #7 and #8 respectively, and should make it to the playoffs.
In 3A, the Bay Tornadoes, which have been impressive to watch all year, won their respective district. Joining them will be West Florida (#6).
In 4A, Pine Forest and Choctawhatchee will be guaranteed into the post season, but for Big Green, where they will be ranked is a bit of an unknown. With a heartbreaking loss to Enterprise in Week 11 and a St. Augustine loss to Mandarin that same night, Choctaw may lose its #1 seed, and with that, homefield advantage through the playoffs.
Joining them in 4A are Escambia, Booker T. Washington and Rickards, who were all ranked inside the Top 8 going into the final week. As for Arnold, they are on the outside looking in.
In 5A, the Mosley Dolphins beat Milton, Niceville and Gulf Breeze, and won the district title. As for Milton and Niceville, who sat #5 and #6 respectively going into Week 11. However, a two-game skid by Milton, may drop them to either towards the cutline or out of the Top 8.
In 6A, the Pace Patriots only stumbled once this season, but that punishing run game has allowed them to finish 9-1, taking back-to-back district titles. For Crestview, who are coming off a five-game win streak to finish the year, might make the playoffs. As for Tate, who finished 7-3, they are on the outside looking in.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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