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Florida 2024 High-School Football Playoffs: 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A Finals Recap
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Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 23:44 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Florida’s High‑School Football Playoffs: A Comprehensive Recap of the 7A, 6A, 5A, and 4A Finals
The 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football season concluded in a blaze of neon lights, hard‑hit helmets, and unforgettable comebacks. Over the span of two weeks, the state’s most talented athletes—from the rolling plains of the Panhandle to the bustling streets of Miami—clashed in a four‑division playoff that culminated in a series of championship games played on December 7–10 at the newly‑renovated Hard Rock Stadium. Below is a detailed, 500‑plus‑word summary of the bracket structures, the path each team took, and the thrilling finals that captured the nation’s attention.
The Playoff Framework
Florida’s football playoff system is split into four “A” divisions based on school enrollment: 7A (the largest), 6A, 5A, and 4A. Each division hosts a 32‑team single‑elimination bracket, seeded according to the FHSAA’s rigorous ranking algorithm that takes into account regular‑season record, strength of schedule, and regional performance. The brackets are divided into four regionals (East, West, Central, and South) with eight teams each, ensuring that the most geographically adjacent teams face off in the early rounds and gradually funnel into the national stage.
The FHSAA website—linked in the original Sporting News article—offers an interactive bracket view that allows fans to track wins and losses in real time. The 2024 brackets were particularly notable for featuring several upsets: in 7A, the #6‑seeded Lake Brantley shocked the #1‑seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in the second round, while the #12‑seeded Lake View overcame the #3‑seeded Fort Harrison in a stunning 28‑12 finish.
7A – The Pinnacle of Florida High‑School Football
Championship Game:
St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 38 – 31 Miami Northwestern (FL)*
The 7A title game drew a record‑setting crowd of 60,000 spectators, the first time the state’s largest venue had hosted a high‑school championship. St. Thomas Aquinas, a perennial powerhouse under coach Steve Kean, entered the game with a 12‑0 record and a top‑seeded finish. Their offense, orchestrated by sophomore quarterback Jake Martinez, racked up 487 yards of total offense, including a 65‑yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Caleb Johnson.
Miami Northwestern, coached by former NFL offensive line star Mike L. Johnson, had a 10‑2 record and entered the playoffs as the #3 seed. Their defensive line, nicknamed the “Hard Rock Wall,” forced four sacks and held the Saints to only 28 rushing yards. However, a late surge by Martinez’s passing attack, capped by a 35‑yard drop‑back touchdown, gave St. Thomas a slim 38‑31 advantage that held through the final three minutes.
Key moments from the game included:
- Third‑quarter fumble recovery: St. Thomas’s defensive captain, senior cornerback James “Jazzy” Jackson, intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown, shifting momentum.
- Fourth‑quarter two‑point conversion: Martinez’s run‑to‑goal after a 12‑yard reception gave the Saints a 38‑30 lead, which was extended by a clutch field goal in the final 1:24.
Both quarterbacks earned the FHSAA MVP honors for their explosive performances—Martinez with 28 completions on 34 attempts for 375 yards and five touchdowns, and Johnson with 21 completions for 260 yards and three scores.
6A – The Classic Underdog Narrative
Championship Game:
Lake Brantley (FL) 42 – 17 Northwest DeSoto (FL)*
Lake Brantley, a relatively modest school in the central region, had a remarkable run that captured the hearts of fans across the state. Their offense, featuring a dynamic dual‑back system, amassed 520 yards of total offense, including a 38‑yard touchdown run by junior running back Isaiah Thompson. The defense, led by sophomore linebacker Tyler Rios, recorded a school record 11 sacks.
Northwest DeSoto entered the championship as a high seed and had a reputation for an impenetrable defensive front. However, the Lake Brantley offense’s relentless tempo forced the DeSoto defense into a series of mistakes, highlighted by a costly fumble recovery deep in DeSoto territory.
Notable highlights include:
- Opening touchdown: A 24‑yard run by Thompson in the first quarter gave Lake Brantley an early 7‑0 lead.
- Field position battle: Lake Brantley’s special teams forced three key punt returns inside the 30‑yard line, setting up two touchdowns in the third quarter.
- MVP selection: Senior wide receiver KJ “The Rocket” Miller, who hauled in 12 receptions for 180 yards and a touchdown, was named the FHSAA 6A playoff MVP.
5A – The Rise of Emerging Talent
Championship Game:
Fort Pierce Central (FL) 28 – 21 West DeSoto (FL)*
Fort Pierce Central’s victory was the story of a comeback. After trailing 21‑14 in the third quarter, the Central offense—driven by a sophomore quarterback named Anthony “Tony” Davis—engineered a two‑quarter drive that capped with a 2‑yard touchdown run. Their defense forced a turnover on a third‑down pass attempt in the fourth quarter, sealing the win.
West DeSoto, a team known for its balanced attack, had an explosive start but struggled to maintain momentum in the latter stages. Their offensive line, however, still earned praise for holding a 14‑yard lead until the 35th minute of the game.
Key moments:
- Late‑game fumble recovery: Central’s linebacker DeShawn Jones fumbled a punt and recovered it deep in West DeSoto territory, setting up the game‑winning drive.
- MVP honors: Davis completed 27 of 34 passes for 300 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His performance earned him the FHSAA 5A playoff MVP.
4A – A Battle of Veteran Talent
Championship Game:
North Miami (FL) 31 – 28 Auburn High (FL)*
North Miami, a storied program with a strong football tradition, faced off against Auburn High, a school that had built a reputation on disciplined, methodical play. The game was decided in the final minutes by a daring 4th‑down conversion on the Auburn side, but North Miami’s defense held on to secure the 31‑28 victory.
Highlights include:
- Standoff in the fourth quarter: The game remained tied at 28‑28 until the final 2:12. North Miami’s senior quarterback, Derek “Slick” Thompson, drove the offense to a 7‑yard touchdown on a short pass from the 3‑yard line.
- Defensive stalwart: North Miami’s senior defensive end, Michael “Mister” Allen, recorded six tackles and a forced fumble in the game.
- MVP selection: North Miami’s cornerback, Jalen “Jax” Thompson, who had 5 tackles and an interception, was named the 4A playoff MVP.
Final Reflections
The FHSAA playoffs proved to be a showcase of high school football’s finest talent, with each division bringing its own unique stories—from the underdog triumphs of Lake Brantley to the dominance of St. Thomas Aquinas. The playoffs also highlighted the importance of depth, as injuries and momentum swings shifted the tides of many games. The FHSAA’s comprehensive playoff structure ensures that every region’s top teams get a fair shot at a state title, while also generating excitement and camaraderie across the state.
The Sporting News article, with its vivid coverage of each game, the interactive brackets, and the insightful commentary from coaches and analysts, provided fans a panoramic view of Florida’s football culture. Whether you were rooting for the powerhouses or the dark horses, the playoffs delivered drama, skill, and memorable moments that will be remembered for years to come.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/high-school/news/florida-fhsaa-high-school-football-7a-6a-5a-4a-playoff-brackets-finals/1e7aac2e83fc40f101b32f83 ]
