FHSAA Football: Class 4M regional playoff preview
Class 4M
Region 1
First round
(1) Lake Mary vs. (8) Boone
(4) Winter Park vs. (5) Mandarin
(3) Apopka vs. (6) Evans
(2) Seminole vs. (7) Hagerty
Burning question: Will there be a Seminole-Lake Mary rematch?
The Week 10 meeting between the rivals was an instant classic. Seminole rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the previously undefeated Rams 29-28. The win not only gave the Seminoles the district title but also a measure of revenge after Lake Mary's 12-10 win in the regional semifinals last year. Both teams talked about seeing the other again immediately after the Week 10 game. Winter Park, Apopka and Mandarin are legitimate threats to win the region, but a Seminole-Lake Mary rematch could be epic.
Recruit to watch: Mandarin WR Jaime Ffrench
This is a region loaded with elite talent (Lake Mary QB Noah Grubbs, Evans S Brandon Jacob, Seminole DL Preston Watson, Mandarin’s secondary), but Ffrench might be the best of the bunch. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Alabama commit is one of the nation’s premier wide receivers in the Class of 2025.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Lake Mary vs. Seminole (regional final)
Region2
First round
(1) Sumner vs. (8) Riverview
(4) Palm Harbor University vs. (5) Durant
(3) Olympia vs. (6) Dr. Phillips
(2) Plant vs. (7) Plant City
Burning question: Is this region wide open?
Ocoee won this region as the No. 3 seed last year, beating the top two seeds on its way to its first final four appearance. Durant beat Sumner 28-27 on Sept. 29. Dr. Philipps beat Olympia 31-21. This region legitimately could have several different outcomes.
Recruit to watch: Sumner ATH Greg Smith
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Stingrays as a dual-threat quarterback and defensive back. Smith’s recruiting took off early in the season. He now has offers from Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and others.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Sumner vs. Plant (regional final)
Region 3
First round
(1) Monarch vs. (8) Palm Beach Lakes
(4) Santaluces vs. (5) Palm Beach Gardens
(3) Jupiter vs. (6) Boca Raton
(2) Palm Beach Central vs. (7) Spanish River
Burning question: Will Palm Beach Central’s playoff experience make a difference?
The Broncos were a final four team last season and a regional finalist in 2021. That’s seven postseason games in two years for the No. 1 seed in the region. No other team in the region can match that experience in knockout games.
Recruit to watch: Monarch WR Jabari Brady
Brady is on the shortlist for the nation’s No. 1 receiver in the Class of 2026. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder’s offers include Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Jupiter vs. Monarch (regional final)
Region 4
First round
(1) Columbus vs. (8) Goleman
(4) South Dade vs. (5) West Broward
(3) Western vs. (6) Cypress Bay
(2) Palmetto vs. (7) Doral Academy
Burning question: Can anyone beat Columbus?
The Explorers walked through the region last year on their way to the Class 4M state championship. Columbus won last year’s three regional playoff games by a combined score of 123-3. Columbus beat Palmetto, Doral Academy and Goleman during the regular season.
Recruit to watch: Palmetto ATH Jacory Barney Jr.
The Nebraska commit is the focal point of the Panthers' offense no matter where he lines up. Palmetto uses him as a wide receiver — the position he’ll almost certainly play in college — as well as at quarterback in certain situations.
Potential matchup we’d pay to see
Columbus vs. Western (regional final)
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FHSAA Football: Class 4M regional playoff preview
