MaxPreps 2012 Florida high school football playoff previews

It's getting down to the best of the best in Florida, and MaxPreps breaks down all of the playoff brackets in the Sunshine State. Be sure to visit our MaxPreps Florida football playoff brackets.

Florida Class 8A State Championships

Bracket: Class 8A Bracket

Top seed: Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (10-0) The Panthers have worked their way through a schedule that featured six out of ten games against playoff teams. Dr. Phillips is the only undefeated team in the Class 8A playoff bracket this season.

Our pick: Plant (Tampa) (9-1) The Panthers have had a strong showing and have won some tight battles after suffering a 33-3 defeat to Curtis (River Ridge, La.) earlier in the season. Plant is battle-tested and every time we think they might hiccup they come back stronger than ever.

Next in line: Cypress Bay (Weston) (8-2) This is arguably the best team likely to emerge from the Class 8A South bracket. A good handful of seniors were on the best Cypress Bay team from two years ago that made a run to the State Semifinal, so they know what it takes to make a deep run.

Sleeper: Timber Creek (Orlando) (9-1) Despite losing the district championship to University (Orlando), this team has proven it can compete with almost everyone. With Jacques Patrick, a sophomore at running back, teams will have to find unique ways to stop the Wolves.

Defending champion: Plant (Tampa) (9-1) We have seen Plant drop a regular season game only to see them to make a run to the state championship. This is a strong reason to make the Panthers the favorite in Class 8A.

Comment: A lot of people believe that bigger is better in terms of classification, but in Florida this is not the case. Class 8A football is more in the middle of the pack in terms of the strongest classifications. The number of teams with at least three losses or greater is higher in 8A than in most other Florida classifications.

Florida Class 7A State Championships Bracket: Class 7A Bracket

Top seed: Manatee (Bradenton) (10-0) The No. 1 team in the nation in the Xcellent 25, the Hurricanes have been steamrolling competition this season, including teams like Miramar, Central (Miami) and Cypress Bay (Weston). A lot of people think this team is unstoppable — and they might be right.

Our pick: Manatee (Bradenton) (10-0) Manatee has shown its athleticism on both sides of the ball, and has not missed a beat despite losing one of its starters during the season.

Next in line: Osceola (Kissimmee) (10-0) The favorite to emerge from the Class 7A North bracket, this team has been quietly pounding away its competition this season. The Kowboys would not mind a short trip up the road to the Citrus Bowl to play in front of virtually a home crowd next month.

Sleeper: Durant (Plant City) (10-0) The Cougars are a surprise this season, due to a lack of high-profile prospects on the roster. A deep run by Durant and they'll no longer be a secret.

Defending champion: Manatee (Bradenton) (10-0) All signs point towards the Hurricanes repeating at the Class 7A champions this year, giving Joe Kinnan and his alma mater six state championships. This would be his first time winning in consecutive years.

Comment: Class 7A looks exciting again this year, especially in the North bracket where three of the five undefeated teams are located. Usual suspects, including Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) are back in, but Dwyer must become a team of road warriors after dropping a brutal district game last month. If you like unpredictability, this is the bracket to follow.

Florida Class 6A State Championships Bracket: Class 6A Bracket

Top seed: Gainesville (10-0) The Hurricanes have completed an undefeated regular season. Although the Gainesville came one game short of the state championship two seasons ago under a different coach, this Hurricane team has been truly unstoppable.

Our pick: Gainesville (10-0) The closest the Hurricanes came to defeat was in Week 2 against Columbia (17-14), a likely foe should the Hurricanes reach the state semifinals.

Next in line: Central (Miami) (7-2) The Rockets are right back in line to make another trip to Orlando after falling short last season to Armwood (Seffner). Central has the talent, and has even moved its star running back Joseph Yearby to the quarterback position at times, catching teams off guard.

Sleeper: Naples (9-0) The Golden Eagles are playoff bound once again under head coach Bill Kramer and have scored nearly 53 points per game this season. With dangerous running back Manny Morgan and a defense that does not allow many points, Naples has quietly risen throughout the season. That changes now.

Defending champion: Armwood (Seffner) (7-3) Although Armwood forfeited the Class 6A Championship from 2011 after it was found guilty of multiple violations by the FHSAA, the Hawks are not the same as in years past. Issues on the offensive line coupled with a key district loss to Hillsborough (Tampa), have the Hawks on the verge of a likely first round exit.

Comment: This is the most exciting bracket in the FHSAA this year. Having six undefeated teams, the most in any bracket, Class 6A will give us some surprises in every round. Some of the best high school football in Florida is played by the teams in this bracket.

Florida Class 5A State Championships Bracket: Class 5A Bracket

Top seed: Wakulla (Crawfordville) (10-0) Legendary head coach J.D. Jones led Wakulla to its first undefeated season since the early 1980s. The War Eagles, who made a surprise trip to the state final last season, are not going to surprise anyone this time around. They face a tough Region I bracket in order to work their way back to Orlando.

Our pick: American Heritage (Plantation) (9-1) With talented play-makers including linebacker Michael Deeb and running back Sony Michel, this team has been on fire all season — the only loss was a three-point setback to defending 4A state champion Bolles (Jacksonville). The Patriots might find their bracket less difficult than Wakulla's.

Next in line: Wakulla (Crawfordville) (10-0) Wakulla's resumé includes six wins over playoff teams, including defending 1A Champion, Jefferson County (Monticello) and 2A Champion, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee). The War Eagles are battle-tested.

Sleeper: Robinson (Tampa) (9-1) Although Robinson's schedule does not contain many games against quality playoff teams, this team has been on fire. The Knights' only loss was a 2-point setback to defending 8A champion Plant (Tampa). What would be more impressive than head coach Mike DePue ending his tenure at Robinson with a trip to Orlando?

Defending champion: Norland (Miami) (8-2) What is life after Duke Johnson? Not going undefeated, for one. The playoff road could be challenging for the Vikings, especially in the regional semfinals if an expected matchup against American Heritage (Plantation) comes to pass.

Comment: While the North portion of the 5A bracket has a nice bundle of strong teams, the South bracket is the complete opposite. With an unusual amount of teams with 3 or 4 losses, surprises are sure to follow. Get ready for a wild ride in this bracket.

Florida Class 4A State Championships Bracket: Class 4A Bracket

Top seed: South Sumter (Bushnell) (10-0) South Sumter enters the playoffs as the only undefeated team in Class 4A. There are some concerns, however, about the Raiders' ability against stronger teams like Raines (Jacksonville), Bolles (Jacksonville) or even Yulee. But the Raiders are no strangers to the playoffs, having last made an appearance in the state finals in 2005.

Our pick: Washington (Miami) (9-1) The Tornadoes have been on an F-5 twister chase that has even unleashed its fury in Texas against Cedar Hill (Texas). Minus the one loss to Central (Miami) earlier in the season, Booker T. Washington has been the favorite since the start of the season. With talent on both sides of the ball it will be hard for anyone to stop this team.

Next in line: Bolles (Jacksonville) (9-1) The winningest head coach in Florida, Corky Rogers, has the Bulldogs back in a prime position to make a run to Orlando. Although injuries have plagued Bolles this season, things look bright in the playoff bracket.

Sleeper: Cocoa (8-2) The Tigers are back and are on an eight-game winning streak after dropping its first two. Their resume includes a strong win over Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) and Cocoa might be the only team that could challenge Booker T. Washington in the 4A South Bracket.

Defending champion: Bolles (Jacksonville) (9-1) Bolles is right back in the running for another Class 4A State title, but could a team like South Sumter (Bushnell) or Yulee stand in the way?

Comment: The 4A bracket looks pretty much the same again this year as it did last year, with the usual suspects expected to make a run to Orlando. Don't expect many surprises along the way.

Florida Class 3A State Championships Bracket: Class 3A Bracket

Top seed: American Heritage (Delray Beach) (10-0) The Stallions are on fire once again this year despite having a new head coach. The resume is very impressive this year, including wins over Armwood, Dwyer and West Monroe (La.).

Our pick: University (Fort Lauderdale) (8-0) Despite having two games cancelled due to weather, the Suns have run over every team in sight, including Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood, Ohio) and Cocoa. A second trip in three years to the state finals would not be surprising at all.

Next in line: Madison County (Madison) (9-1) Madison County is on a roll, with their only loss coming in a close 14-9 game to a highly-ranked 6A Gainesville squad late in the season. However, like last year, the 3A North bracket is going to have some challenges waiting in the fold.

Sleeper: Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (9-1) Head Coach Verlon Dorminey knows what it takes to get to Orlando, but the road will not be easy. The Conquerors, who have won 8 straight coming into the playoffs, have to knock off strong teams including Pensacola Catholic (Pensacola), Madison County (Madison) or First Academy (Orlando) for a chance to get to Orlando.

Defending champion: American Heritage (Delray Beach) (10-0) With an impressive season so far, the Stallions face a tough bracket in the playoffs with a likely meeting with University (Fort Lauderdale) in the regional final. If the Stallions do prevail they could likely win another 3A state championship, giving them three state championship in four seasons.

Comment: This bracket is loaded with great teams that could easily provide upsets. Although this is the smallest classification out of the eight, this bracket appears to be a fun one.

Florida Class 2A State Championships Bracket: Class 2A Bracket

Top seed: Lake Mary Prep (Lake Mary) (10-0) This is the first-ever undefeated season for Griffins, but not the first district championship season for the Buck Gurley coached team. With Ray Lewis lll, one of the key players, a run in the playoffs looks very much possible.

Our pick: Dade Christian (Miami) (9-0) This Crusaders team is about as scary as they come. Nine wins against teams their own size as well as larger schools explain why they're the pick in 2A.

Next in line: University Christian (Jacksonville) (9-1) Having won six state titles in school history, the last in 1994, the Christians would love to make a return trip after an 18-year absence. With some talented play-makers to work with and the only loss coming to a very strong Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) squad, we would not be surprised if they make the run to Orlando next month.

Sleeper: First Baptist Academy (Naples) (10-0) A program only in its fourth season of football and second in district action, the Lions are looking to make a name for themselves as they enter the playoffs for the first time.

Defending champion: North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) (6-3) Things looked promising as the season got started for the Eagles, but injuries combined with a couple of surprising losses has put North Florida Christian almost out of the picture at this point.

Comment: While a few familiar teams are back, several of teams are making their debut including First Baptist Academy (Naples) and Carrollwood Day (Tampa). Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg), state runner-up from last season, failed to qualify for the playoffs this year after dropping a late-season district game.

Florida Class 1A State Championships

Bracket: Class 1A Bracket

Top seed: Union County (Lake Butler) (10-0) The Tigers completed their second undefeated regular season in a row. Union County has been a heavy favorite since the preseason and are now in prime position despite a few close games.

Our pick: Union County (Lake Butler) (10-0) The Tigers are looking to make their first state championship appearance since 2003 and to win their first state championship since 1996 when head coach Ronny Pruitt's brother Robby was the head coach.

Next in line: Northview (Bratt) (7-3) Although the Chiefs have three losses this season, they all come to higher classification teams including playoff teams West Florida (Pensacola) and Gulf Breeze. Although the bracket might be a bit of a challenge with Holmes County (Bonifay) lurking for a possible state semifinal showdown, a first-time trip for the Northern Escambia County school is likely.

Sleeper: Trenton (10-0) Another Tigers team (popular mascot in the 1A playoffs) is looking to make a run here and give this Gilchrist County school a chance at something neither it or its rival Bell has been able to accomplish: Making a trip to a state championship game.

Defending champion: Jefferson County (Monticello) (3-7) Likely the most battle-tested team in the classification once again this year, these Tigers are on the road as a district runner-up this year. Not being in the comfort of home makes it a challenge to defend the title. A first round exit might not be surprising, but a run to Orlando isn't out of the question.

Comment: This is the second year that Class 1A has been designated the rural classification in Florida, and it seems to have built a loyal following not only among fans, but also among coaches and school administrators. An interesting note to this year's bracket is that the state runner-up from last season, Chipley, failed to qualify for the playoffs.