Key Points
- The Florida High School Athletic Association released tentative football classifications for 2026-27 and 2027-28, with an appeal period ending December 17.
- Buchholz High dropped from Class 6A to 5A-District 3, joining Belleview, Matanzas, and others for upcoming seasons.
On Monday, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) released the ‘tentative’ FHSAA fall football classifications for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
They are pending the appeals process per FHSAA Policy 12.
Among the three biggest schools in Alachua County, the biggest shakeup is in the larger classification. It’s a completely different district for Class 6A state semifinalist Buchholz, which drops to 5A-Region 1.
The Bobcats will compete in Class 5A-District 3 with Belleview, Matanzas (Palm Coast), Oakleaf (Orange Park), South Marion, a new school in Ocala, and West Port (Ocala).
Last year, Buchholz competed in a four-team 6A-District 3 with Bartram Trail (St. Johns), Nease (Ponte Vedra), and Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) and the Bobcats (12-2) advanced to their fifth straight state semifinal, but lost at home, 24-17, to West Broward in the Class 6A state semifinals.
Of the eight teams that made the 6A-Region 1 playoffs with Buchholz, one of the teams, Oviedo, who the Bobcats defeated, 49-41, in the regional quarterfinals, moves to 5A-Region 2.
Gainesville High (2-8) is in Class 4A-District 5 again with Lecanto, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Springstead (Spring Hill), and Vanguard (Ocala), which advanced to the 4A-Region 2 Semifinals.
Mount Dora (2-8) and Springstead (Spring Hill) (4-5) are new to the district.
Eastside (9-3), which defeated South Sumter (Bushnell) in overtime to win its third district title in the past four years, remains in 3A-District 5 along with Dunnellon and North Marion (Citra).
However, South Sumter drops out and Santa Fe (Alachua), which was in the same district as Newberry and Bradford (Starke) in 2A-District 5, moves in.
Bradford and Newberry remain in the district, now 2A-District 4, along with Keystone Heights and Trinity Catholic (Ocala).
Columbia (Lake City) remains in Class 4A-Region 1 and will be in District 3 with Ed White (Jacksonville), Englewood (Jacksonville), Ribault (Jacksonville), Riverside (Jacksonville), and Yulee.
Last year the Tigers (9-3), who lost to Choctaw (Fort Walton Beach), 27-20, in the regional semifinals, were in the same district as region finalist St. Augustine, Clay (Green Cove Springs), and Ridgeview (Orange Park).
A total of 37 teams will compete in the Rural classification, including defending state champion Hawthorne and state semifinalist Chiefland.
In fact, all 16 teams which made the Rural state playoffs, along with Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) champion Fort White and runner-up Port St. Joe, are among the group in the smallest classification.
The Hornets (11-1), who have advanced to their sixth straight state title game, have won three of the last four state titles.
Schools will have one week to appeal. The final classifications and districts will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The remaining fall sport classifications will be released in the spring.
For more on the tentative FHSAA fall football classifications for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, click here.