GAINESVILLE – The road to Orlando officially begins this week for several playoff teams, we begin by breaking down each classification. First round games kick of this weekend all over the state, including around town as teams start their conquest of getting to Camping World Stadium.
While Sandalwood and Mandarin both failed to make the playoffs in Class 8A, Palm Coast swept through District 1-8A and along with Spruce Creek are the lone representatives from the district in the playoffs.
No. 6 Boone Braves at No. 3 Palm Coast Bulldogs
Palm Coast (9-0)
Key players: athlete Isaiah Stubbs, lineman Norman Brown, athlete Jimmie Robinson, tailback Ty Jenkins, defensive back Dennis Shorter, defensive back Savigone Murphy
Outlook: What a turn around for first year coach Travis Roland. A year ago, Palm Coast was 3-6, a year later they are undefeated and district champs for the first time since 2007. The former Mainland great has brought a new attitude and instant success to the program with the first undefeated season in school history. Roland told the Daytona News Journal, Boone looks similar to Georgia Tech offensively so they will have to play sound defense and tackle well.
Boone (7-2)
Key players: tailback Daione Creal (1,213 yards, 9 TDs), quarterback Jaxsen Anagnostis, lineman CJ Reeves, lineman Javan Thornton, cornerback Jack Dixson
Outlook: Boone runs the option offense much like Georgia Tech and has rushed for over 2,200 yards averaging 310 yards per game, while throwing for just over 750 yards on the season. Creal is a huge reason for their success and is coming off a huge game in which he ran for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns in the come from behind 35-27 win over arch-rival Edgewater. The win over nemesis Edgewater not only allowed the Braves to hold onto the Barrell trophy for the fifth time in six years but more importantly put the Braves in the playoffs. Losses to playoff teams Apopka and Winter Park helped propel the Braves into the playoffs point wise as well.
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 8A
