Class 8A playoff spots still up for grabs

The biggest class in Florida has no defending champ, but has two runner-ups - sort of.

Tampa Plant moved up to 8A (defending runner-up in 7A) and Dr. Phillips vacated its 8A runner-up spot from last year. Miami Central, the defending champ - dropped to 6A.

Now that we've played musical chairs with the classifications, here's a look at where we stand entering Week 9 of the high school football season.

Class 8A

District 1 - Deland clinches the district with a win over Mandarin. Fletcher clinches the runner-up spot with a win over Spruce Creek Friday. The only hope Sandalwood has is to win out and hope that Spruce Creek beats Fletcher - which would force a three-way tie.

District 2 - Lake Brantley and Lake Mary play Friday - The winner is the district champ and the loser has the inside track to the runner-up spot. Technically Hagerty, Lyman and Seminole are still in it. If Lake Mary loses to Lake Brantley and Seminole wins Nov. 4 - there could either be a three-way tie between Lyman, Lake Mary and Seminole

District 3 - Timber Creek clinches the district with a win over University Friday. Everything else is muddied. It will be a lot clearer after this week but still, Nov. 4 will go a long way in deciding the rest.

District 4 - Olympia is in the drivers' seat with two games left. Apopka can clinch the runner-up spot next week with a win over Wekiva. Wekiva can win the district with by winning out, which would eliminate Apopka.

District 5 - Dr. Phillips wins the district Nov. 4 with a win over Freedom. Freedom can create a three-way tie scenario with a win and a Boone win over Cypress Creek. Boone is the runner-up with a win over Cypress Creek and a DP win.

District 6 - Plant has clinched the district. Winner of Alonso-Wharton is the runner-up.

District 7 - Winner of East Lake/Palm Harbor University is the district champ - loser is the runner-up

District 8 - Centennial is the district champ. Winner of Treasure Coast-Vero Beach is the runner-up.

District 9 - Seminole Ridge wins the district if they beat Jupiter Nov. 4. A Jupiter win and a Palm Beach Gardens win creates a three-way tie. Gardens is the runner-up if they beat Wellington and Seminole Ridge wins. Of course, if Ridge and Wellington win - there's a three-way tie for second.

District 10 - Park Vista is the district champ. Winner of Palm Beach Central-Boca Raton is the runner-up.

District 11 - Taravella is in the drivers seat after Coral Springs was upset last week by South Plantation. That put the Paladins back in the playoff race. Taravella clinches a spot with a win Friday over Piper. Everything else is just too muddied with Deerfield Beach/Coral Springs and South Plantation/Douglas on tap for this Friday. A loss puts you out of the race.

District 12 - Miramar is in the drivers seat with wins over Everglades and Cypress Bay. if Miramar knocks off Western, the Patriots clinch. Western has to win to stay alive. So does Cypress Bay - which plays Everglades Friday. A Cypress Bay win along with a Miramar win gives the runner-up spot to Cypress Bay.

District 13 - Dr. Krop-Hialeah winner is the district champ - loser is the runner-up

District 14 - Columbus clinched the district Wednesday with a 42-18 win over South Miami. If Miami wins over Coral Gables, the Stingarees can get in with a win over South Miami.

District 15 - Southwest Miami and Varela are in the drivers' seat with games this weekend. If both win - they both clinch district playoff spots and will meet next week. If not - Braddock can sneak into the race with a win over Varela and possibly force a three-way tie.

District 16 - Coral Reef, Southridge and Miami Killian are still in the race. Both Ridge and Coral Reef have district games this week. Killian will face Palmetto Nov. 4. Coral Reef can all but clinch at least a three-way tie with a win over Palmetto Friday. Everything else is on hold.