Miami Northwestern vs. Gulliver Prep
This installment of the Pick-6 features our first week of Florida high school football playoff predictions, and it begins in arguably the state’s top classification as Miami Northwestern takes on Gulliver Prep in a 2M showdown, with the winner taking on the winner of Miami Central-St. Brendan in the regional semifinals. Both the Bulls and Raiders enter the playoffs with 5-4 overall records, and the game has the potential to be one of the state’s best this week.
Prediction: Miami Northwestern 28, Gulliver Prep 24
Lake Mary vs. Hagerty
Next up in our Florida high school football playoff predictions is perhaps the most intriguing Class 4M regional quarterfinal matchup, Lake Mary will host Hagerty on Friday night, with the winner advancing to take on the winner of Seminole-Mandarin next week. The Rams (6-3) got back in the win column last week after dropping consecutive district games to Apopka and Seminole. Hagerty (8-2) dropped their regular-season finale a week ago against Class 3M’s Oviedo.
Prediction: Lake Mary 24, Hagerty 21
Navarre vs. Creekside
With the winner taking on the winner of the Bartram Trail-Flagler Palm Coast matchup in the regional semifinals, Navarre takes on Creekside this Friday night in one of Class 4S’ top showdowns. Creekside (8-2) has won its last three contests entering the playoffs, while Navarre, which also sits at 8-2, dropped its regular-season finale against Niceville.
Prediction: Navarre 24, Creekside 21
Oviedo vs. Wharton
In a big regional quarterfinal matchup in Class 3M, Oviedo will host Wharton, with the winner taking on the winner of Jones-Wekiva next week. Red-hot Oviedo (9-1) enters the playoff on a seven-game winning streak, but certainly will be put to the test by an 8-2 Wharton team led by one of the state’s top sack leaders, four-star junior Booker Pickett Jr.
Prediction: Wharton 28, Oviedo 20
Pensacola Catholic vs. Wakulla
The Region 1 side of the Class 2S playoff bracket is loaded with notable matchups. The biggest of those may be this game, with the winner advancing to take on the victor of Florida State-South Walton. The Crusaders (9-1) suffered their first loss of 2022 in the regular-season finale against West Florida. They’ll be put to the test against a 7-3 Wakulla team that also enters the postseason having lost two straight.
Prediction: Pensacola Catholic 27, Wakulla 21
Mainland vs. Eau Gallie
Concluding this week’s Florida high school football playoff predictions for the regional quarterfinal round is a Class 3S matchup between Mainland and Eau Gallie, with the winner taking on the winner of Rockledge-Satellite next week. Mainland (7-3) dropped their final game of the regular season last week against Lake Mary, while Eau Gallie, also 7-3, comes in having lost their last two games.
Prediction: Mainland 28, Eau Gallie 24
