Chris BoyleDaytona Beach News-Journal
The Florida High School Athletic Association's board of directors struck down the metro-suburban split earlier this month. On Friday, the new tentative classifications were released, offering a new yet familiar look to high school football across the state.
The FHSAA separated its 452 non-rural member schools into seven classifications, based upon submitted student population figures. All seven classes feature at least 60 schools, while the rural class has 32.
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Schools may file an appeal to the FHSAA by Jan. 12, 2024. Classifications for the five other fall sports will be released next month.
Here is a breakdown of how the new classifications affect the Volusia-Flagler area's football teams.
District 2-7A
Local teams: DeLand, Flagler Palm Coast, Spruce Creek, University
Non-local teams: None
Notable teams in region: Lake Mary, Seminole, Winter Park
Buzz: Flagler Palm Coast is grouped with its Five Star Conference rivals DeLand, Spruce Creek and University to comprise what should be an entertaining, competitive district for the next two seasons.
FPC, which was grouped with St. Johns County neighbors Nease and Ponte Vedra for the previous cycle, replaces New Smyrna Beach in what had been District 9-3S.
DeLand defended its district crown and reached the Final Four for the first time since 2009, but its challengers each project to return deep crops of talented underclassmen. University set a school record with 10 wins, and Spruce Creek qualified for the playoffs for the seventh time in Andy Price's 11-year tenure as coach.
Lake Mary and Seminole, however, will likely be considered the favorites in the region. Lake Mary's Noah Grubbs is one of the nation's best quarterbacks for the 2026 graduating class, and Seminole features a strong core led by linebacker Ethan Pritchard and offensive lineman Max Buchanan.
District 4-5A
Local teams: Mainland, Matanzas
Non-local teams: Belleview
Notable teams in region: Niceville, Lincoln, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra
Buzz: State champions for the first time since 2003, Mainland is separated from the entirety of Volusia County. Instead, the Bucs are grouped with winless Belleview and Matanzas, whom it defeated in an August preseason kickoff classic.
On paper, Mainland looks like the favorite in its region despite suffering heavy losses due to graduation. Matanzas has a big departing senior class as well, but could be in contention for another wild card spot.
Bigger picture, bringing home the title will be a much tougher task for the Bucs. Two fellow state champions — Lakeland (4S) and St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) — are classified in 5A, along with heavy hitters Tampa Bay Tech and Edgewater, among others.
District 6-4A
Local teams: Deltona, New Smyrna Beach, Pine Ridge, Seabreeze
Non-local teams: Rockledge
Notable teams in region: Vanguard, Jones, Lake Wales, Zephyrhills
Buzz: New Smyrna Beach gets a crack at three Volusia County teams for the next cycle. The Barracudas were previously grouped with DeLand, Spruce Creek and University — going 1-6 against those opponents, including a first-round playoff defeat to University last month.
Deltona and Seabreeze should take strides, with Matt Martin and Lester Davis entering their second seasons in charge of their respective alma maters. Pine Ridge will be under new management, hiring Greg Miller as coach last week.
Rockledge has made the FHSAA playoffs every year since 2017. This is a treacherous, but somewhat top-heavy, region headlined by Final Four qualifier Vanguard.
District 6-3A
Local teams: Atlantic
Non-local teams: Bishop Moore, Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares
Notable teams in region: Dunnellon, Eau Gallie, Titusville
Buzz: Atlantic celebrated its first district championship in program history this fall, taking down Crescent City and Taylor in consecutive weeks for the title. The level of difficulty ramps up this fall as it joins a traditionally solid Bishop Moore team and an improving trio of opponents from Lake County.
Kwasie Kwaku Jr., selected as a nominee for Volusia-Flagler Defensive Player of the Year, is set to return and will be the focal point for the Sharks on both sides of the ball.
The region is wide open. Eau Gallie went two rounds deep in the playoffs, but was upended at home by surprising Sebring. Titusville, which went 1-9 in 2021, has won 17 combined games the last two campaigns.
District 5-1A
Local teams: Father Lopez, Halifax, Taylor
Non-local teams: Trinity Catholic
Notable teams in region: Foundation, Melbourne Central Catholic, Orlando Christian Prep, Victory Christian, Carrollwood Day
Buzz: A tough road lies ahead for Volusia County's 1A contingent. Off the bat, district newcomer Trinity Catholic was the Class 1S runner-up after losing a heartbreaker to Cardinal Mooney.
Halifax, however, is coming off its most successful season ever. The Knights won seven games and punched their ticket to the playoffs.
Taylor struggled with numbers in the back half of the season after a rash of injuries, but beat Father Lopez in its season finale. The Green Wave finished 2-8, but junior quarterback Jacob Lohman averaged more than 195 passing yards per game.
