EG, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Space Coast in thick of football playoffs hunt

Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Melbourne Central Catholic and Holy Trinity would be in. Space Coast would just miss according to weekly FHSAA power points rankings that will determine the at-large teams for the coming football playoffs.

The good news for the Vipers is one week remains in the regular season, giving Brevard schools one more chance to wrap up spots in the postseason that begins Nov. 9.

Playoff berths will be announced Sunday, but the FHSAA released its weekly update of football power rankings on Tuesday. 

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Rockledge and Cocoa are in position to be top seeds in their regions, guaranteeing home games through the regional final if they can hold those spots. The trick is that the two play each other on Friday in the annual Barbecue Bowl.

Viera and Heritage are assured of opening-round home games as district champions, and Astronaut has a strong shot at playing at home on the first Friday.

From Class 7A through 5A, four district champions and the four highest-ranked teams of those remaining from each region make the playoffs. Each district champion will be home in the regional quarterfinal round.

In smaller districts, including 4A and 3A, there is no district play, so the top six in power ratings make the playoffs, with the top two seeds getting byes.

Here are the current standings for the top contenders in regions with Brevard teams in the playoffs race:

# Disrict champions in italics

Region 2-7A

1. Lakeland#  42.10

2. Plant#  41.33

3. Viera#  40.33

4. Wiregrass Ranch  38.56

5. Sickles  38.50

6. Kathleen  38.22

7. Harmony#  38.20

8. Lake Nona  37.22

* Brevard playoff matchup would be: Sickles at Viera.

Region 4-6A

1. Miami Carol City#  40.89

2. Miami Central  40.40

3. Heritage#  39.11

4. Mainland#  38.30

5. Eau Gallie  37.44

6. Miami Northwestern  37.22

7. Dillard#  36.67

8. New Smryna Beach  35.78

* Brevard playoff matchups would be: Miami Northwestern at Heritage; Eau Gallie at Mainland.

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Region 4-5A

1. Rockledge#  42.56

2. Jones#  42.33

3. Plantation American Heritage  42.22

4. Cardinal Gibbons#  41.11

5. Bishop Moore  39.78

6. Merritt Island  38.33

7. Palm Bay  37.22

8. Space Coast  36.56

11. Ft. Pierce Westwood#  36.00

* Brevard playoff matchups would be: Palm Bay at Rockledge; Merritt Island at Jones.

Region 3-4A

1. Cocoa  42.11

2. Bishop Verot  39.50

3. Astronaut  39.33

4. Avon Park  37.78

5. LaBelle  37.67

6. Lake Placid  35.11

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* Brevard playoff matchups would be: Lake Placid at Astronaut. Cocoa, bye.

Region 2-3A

1. Kings Academy  39.60

2. First Academy  39.50

3. Father Lopez  36.00

4. Cardinal Newman  35.78

5. MCC  35.22

6. Holy Trinity  34.88

* Brevard playoff matchups would be: Holy Trinity at Father Lopez; MCC at Cardinal Newman.

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