FHSAA Football: Class 3M regional playoff preview
Class 3M
Region 1
First round
(1) Edgewater vs. (8) First Coast
(4) Jones vs. (5) Oviedo
(3) Tampa Bay Tech vs. (6) Fletcher
(2) Armwood vs. (7) Wharton
Burning question: Is this the best region in Florida?
At the very least, it’s got to be on the shortlist. Edgewater and Tampa Bay Tech both made state championship game appearances in the past three seasons. Jones was a final four team last year. Armwood is a perennial power. Oviedo was a regional semifinalist last year. Wharton, Wekiva and Fletcher all have legit Power Five talent who can take over games.
Recruit to watch:Edgewater CB Cai Bates
The LSU commit is one of the premier defensive backs in the state. Blessed with outstanding length (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and athleticism, the former wide receiver is a lockdown defender who made a name for himself in the regional semifinal last year when he intercepted three passes against Tampa Bay Tech.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Edgewater vs. Armwood (regional final)
Region 2
First round
(1) Jesuit vs. (8) Pinellas Park
(4) Hillsborough vs. (5) Northeast
(3) St. Petersburg vs. (6) Gaither
(2) Largo vs. (7) East Bay
Burning question: Can anyone prevent Jesuit from reaching its sixth consecutive final four?
Jesuit has been on a roll since back-to-back blowout losses against Treasure Coast and Columbus in September. The 2021 Class 6A state champions have beaten some of the top teams in Tampa this season and will certainly be the favorite to come out of the region again.
Recruit to watch: Largo LB Adarius Hayes
Hayes is one of the best linebackers in the nation and one of the prize recruits in the Florida Gators' loaded 2024 class. Hayes is a physical hitter who can make plays from sideline to sideline. He’s a player offenses have to game-plan for and always be aware of where he is on the field.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Jesuit vs. Largo (regional final)
Region 3
First round
(1) St. Thomas Aquinas vs. (8) Plantation
(4) Blanche Ely vs. (5) Dillard
(3) Coconut Creek vs. (6) Piper
(2) Atlantic vs. (7) West Boca
Burning question: Does any team have enough to beat Aquinas?
Death, taxes and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders have tied a state record with four consecutive state championships and are the top-ranked team on the USA Today Florida Network High School Football Poll. Coconut Creek and Atlantic have had outstanding seasons, but beating Aquinas on the road will be a tall order.
Recruit to watch: Atlantic LB Jayden Parrish
Honestly, you could pick just about any of Aquinas’ talented senior kill position players (RB Jordan Lyle is committed to Ohio State, WR Chance Robinson is committed to Miami, and WR James Madison is committed to Missouri), but let’s look at Parrish. The Florida State commit is a physical hitter, a talented option at running back and one of the more underrated players in the state.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Coconut Creek (regional final)
Region 4
First round
(1) Homestead vs. (8) McArthur
(4) Southridge vs. (5) Hialeah
(3) Miramar vs. (6) American
(2) South Broward vs. (7) Belen Jesuit
Burning question: Can Homestead get back to the state championship game?
The Broncos have just one blemish on the record — a one-point loss against Palmetto (Miami) in the season opener. Since then? Homestead has been dominant, including wins against South Dade, Columbus, Southridge and Edison. The Broncos getting back to the Class 3M state championship game is a very real possibility.
Recruit to watch: Homestead RB Isaac Brown
The senior is something of a rarity as he verbally committed to Louisville on Aug. 1, 2022, and has remained firm for the past 14 months. The dynamic and speedy playmaker can make people miss in the open field and is a solid pass catcher who can line up in the slot.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Homestead vs. South Broward (regional final)
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FHSAA Football: Class 3M regional playoff preview
