FHSAA releases football classification. Here's what it means for Volusia-Flagler teams

At long last, football teams across the state know their district and regional foes for the 2021 season.

The Florida High School Athletic Association released its classification plan for this coming season Monday morning. Per the organization's Board of Directors meeting on March 8, this arrangement is set for one year only.

More:The FHSAA's full 2021 football classification

A handful of Volusia-Flagler teams moved down a class based on student enrollment populations reported to the FHSAA in October. Local programs can be found in six of the eight classifications.

The FHSAA's RPI system is slated to return. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 football season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all schools were given the choice to opt in for the playoffs.

District champions automatically qualify for Classes 5A through 8A, and wild cards are awarded to the next four highest-ranked teams per region. In 1A through 4A, all spots and seeding are based on RPI rankings.

Here is a full breakdown of all 14 local football teams, and their potential regular-season and playoff opponents come the fall.

Pray out loud before they play? Florida bill would give schools mic before high school games

Class 8A

Only two area schools maintain Class 8A population sizes — DeLand and Flagler Palm Coast. Last year's head-to-head plans were scrapped as DeLand instead picked up a marquee contest with Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. As members of District 2-8A, there will definitely be an all-Bulldog battle in 2021.

"I'm just glad we got to keep one Volusia team," FPC Head Coach Travis Roland said. "The rivalries are better for us in Volusia because we play all sports with those schools. It's a better crowd, and it makes for a better environment."

DeLand and FPC will be joined by defending state champion Sanford Seminole, Lake Mary and Oviedo. Seminole and Lake Mary each possess talented passers — Luke Rucker and Gunnar Smith, respectively.

Class 7A

Spruce Creek and University drop down one class, but instantly become contenders in a revamped District 4-7A.

Last season, the Seminole County trio of Winter Springs, Lyman and Lake Howell combined for a record of 5-21. University (4-4 last season) defeated all three of those opponents by no fewer than 20 points.

Spruce Creek returns 10 offensive starters, factoring in talented rising junior quarterback Damarcus Creecy, and eight more on the defensive side of the ball.

"We're always preparing to be in a district with DeLand, Seminole and Flagler," Hawks Head Coach Andy Price said. "It's different than what we were in in the past. Obviously, I like the district. Size for size, it's a better situation for us."

Class 6A

Mainland and New Smyrna Beach remain in Class 6A but drew a pair of heavyweights in District 6 — Lake Minneola and Orlando Jones, along with Groveland South Lake.

Lake Minneola made it all the way to Tallahassee for the Class 6A championship game in 2020, only to be thrashed, 46-0, by Miami Central. The Hawks went 11-2 with both defeats coming at the hands of state champs.

Jones played for the 5A crown in 2019 — at Daytona Stadium — and fell to Miami Northwestern. The Fightin' Tigers, who last faced Mainland in 2012, reeled off nine straight wins in 2020 before bowing out in the Region 3-5A final to Tampa Jesuit.

"They didn't do us any favors," New Smyrna Beach Head Coach John Wilkinson said. "You've got to play the cards you're dealt."

Matanzas stays in Class 6A as well, but was drawn into District 4 with Gainesville, Middleburg, Orange Park Ridgeview and St. Augustine. The Pirates will look to avenge a 56-21 defeat to St. Augustine this coming year.

Class 5A

Four Volusia County teams are grouped together in District 7-5A — Atlantic, Deltona, Pine Ridge and Seabreeze. They are joined by Orlando Bishop Moore, ranked 74th in all classifications by MaxPreps last year.

Seabreeze defeated Deltona and Atlantic in the opening three weeks of its 2020 campaign by a combined score of 86-8.

"I feel like it's pretty much the same, swapping out Mainland with Bishop Moore," Seabreeze Head Coach Pat Brown said. "This year being the third with my players in our program, I don't think it mattered what class or district we were in. We think we will be able to move forward."

Class 2A

Father Lopez moves down from Class 3A and enters a crowded, competitive Region 2-2A which also includes local rivals Trinity Christian and Halifax Academy.

There is no shortage of potential regional champions here. Winter Garden Foundation, Maitland Orangewood Christian, Orlando Christian Prep, Lakeland Victory Christian and Zephyrhills Christian all won at least seven games in 2020.

Class 1A

Taylor regains its rural designation after a few seasons at the Class 3A level.

Without the hassle of having to play district opponents in the regular season, Taylor will not need to travel the vast area of Region 4-1A, which extends as far north as Starke and as far south as Pahokee.

"It doesn't matter to me. It's probably tougher in 1A than 3A," Taylor Head Coach Antuarn Williams said. "We're going to run into a powerhouse, regardless."

Hawthorne advanced to the Class 1A championship game in the fall. Wildwood, Pahokee, Fort Meade and Newberry also serve as threats.