Analysis Ahead of the November 6 FHSAA Reveal
The FHSAA releases official playoff brackets Friday, November 6, at 5 p.m. Seeding is driven by final MaxPreps computer ratings. District champions receive automatic berths; the rest of each eight-team region is filled by at-large teams ranked by rating. The new Open Division pulls the top eight eligible teams statewide before class brackets are set. Regional quarterfinals begin November 13.
Here is how the Greater Orlando picture projects based on the latest available MaxPreps rankings (through roughly October 31) and recent results.
Open Division Impact
The Open Division is expected to take several top teams out of their classes (Columbus from 6A, St. Thomas Aquinas / West Boca Raton / Lakeland from 5A, and others). This opens the top of several regional brackets and elevates teams such as Seminole, DeLand, and Bishop Moore in their respective classes. The First Academy is on the Open Division bubble; a strong finish in its makeup game could still push it in or leave it as a high seed in Class 2A.
Class 6A – Region 1 (Deepest Greater Orlando Quadrant)
This is the most loaded region involving local teams.
- Projected No. 1 seed: Seminole (10-0) — Highest-rated remaining 6A team in the region (~78.96). Finished perfect and owns the District 3 title. Likely hosts a first-round game against a lower at-large.
- Projected No. 2 or 3 seed: DeLand (9-1) — Close behind (~77.83). District 2 champion with a strong running game. Could host or travel depending on exact final ratings.
- Mainland remains a dangerous lower seed due to schedule strength despite a .500 record.
- Other local teams (Winter Park, Timber Creek, Hagerty) are fighting for at-large spots or lower seeds. Hosting in the regional quarterfinals goes to district champions even against higher-rated at-large teams.
Scenario notes: Seminole and DeLand are positioned for deep runs. A Seminole–DeLand regional final is possible if both win early. At-large teams from this region will face tough first-round travel.
Class 6A – Region 2
- Edgewater (district champion) projects as a top-four seed (~74.10 rating) and should host early.
- West Orange (9-1) and Lake Nona are solid at-large candidates with strong ratings relative to the rest of the region. West Orange’s late wins improve its seeding floor.
- East Ridge is on the at-large bubble after winning its district earlier.
Class 5A
- Evans (district champion) projects as a top-four seed in its region and should host a first-round game. The Trojans’ balanced offense and recent shutout of Dr. Phillips help their positioning.
Class 4A
- Bishop Moore (8-2) sits among the higher-rated teams in its class (~78.44) after eight straight wins and a district title. Strong candidate for a top-two seed and home games through the early rounds.
- Jones remains in the mix for a high seed depending on final ratings and Open Division movement.
Class 2A / Open Division Bubble
- The First Academy is the clearest local team with Open Division upside. If it misses, it becomes a top seed in Class 2A with a favorable early path.
Key Variables Before Friday
- Final MaxPreps ratings update (expected Thursday).
- Outcome of remaining makeup games (especially anything involving TFA).
- Hosting rules: District champions host at-large teams in the regional quarterfinals regardless of rating. Higher seed hosts from the regional semifinals onward.
- Open Division cascade: Any team that jumps into the top eight removes itself from its class and reshuffles the remaining seeds.
Bottom Line for Greater Orlando
- Automatic berths locked: Seminole, DeLand, Edgewater, Evans, Bishop Moore, Lake Nona, East Ridge (and others).
- Highest-upside seeds: Seminole (likely 6A Region 1 No. 1), Bishop Moore (strong 4A seed), DeLand (top-two or three in 6A Region 1).
- At-large contenders: West Orange, Winter Park, Timber Creek, and others depending on the final cut line.
- Deep-run potential: Seminole and DeLand in 6A Region 1, Bishop Moore in 4A, and Edgewater/Evans as district champions with home-field early.
The official brackets drop Friday at 5 p.m. Once they are released, Prep Prospect Report will break down every local matchup, projected paths, and players to watch heading into the November 13 first round.
