By Official Florida FC
Panama City Beach Arnold, on paper, appears to be the team to beat. The Marlins (20-0-2) are undefeated, have not allowed a goal in their last eight games and enter the postseason on a 19-game winning streak.
Arnold has won five straight district championships and was the No. 1 ranked team in the classification at the end of the regular season. Arnold has entered the postseason with gaudy records before. Is this the year the program breaks through and gets to the state final? To do so, the Marlins will have to beat either Bishop Kenny (11-3-5) or upstarts St. Augustine Menendez in the Region 1-4A playoffs.
Menendez (13-2) has won nine straight. The Falcons have 13 seniors and are 7-0 at home this season. They have defeated six playoff teams and will host a home playoff game for the first time in school history when they face Yulee on Feb. 17.
Elsewhere in the state, a pair of Brevard County programs appear to be very formidable in Region 3-4A.
Rockledge (9-2-5) enters the postseason undefeated in its last 14 matches. The Raiders upset previously unbeaten Merritt Island (14-1-1). However, neither team has played anyone outside of Brevard County this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reigning state champion Miami Gulliver Prep may be 5-5-3 and have a minus-3 goal difference this season; but, a trip to the Region 4-4A final is very possible for the Raiders.
Here is a look at the bracket.
