By Official Florida FC

The Florida High School Athletic Association went to a two-site location for its soccer state championships in 21 years. Its three smallest classifications will play the semifinals and final at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.

Here are three things to watch ahead of this week’s matches.

Rural renaissance

South Walton has stormed into the state semifinals. The Seahawks (16-1) are the top-seeded team remaining after a 4-2 win over Jacksonville Stanton.

The Seahawks have shown they can score on anyone. They have 90 goals this year, including eight games with seven or more goals. More importantly, South Walton has shown they can score against good teams.

Since South Walton lost to St. Johns Country Day 4-2 on December 15, St. Johns has allowed three goals in 11 games.

Maiya Bowers scored a hat trick against Stanton to give her 17 goals in 11 games.

Junior Macy Chambers started the season as South Walton’s goalkeeper, but returned to the attack after Georgetown-commitment Aliza Mannon did not suit up for the Seahawks.

Mannon provided 20 goals and 15 assists in seven matches this year, but has not played for South Walton since mid-December. Chambers stepped into the attack and produced 21 goals and seven assists in 11 outfield games.

Titanic Clash

Lakeland Christian (21-3-1) faces Miami True North Classical in a Class 2A state semifinal.

The Vikings have won three straight championships and appear on course to play for a fourth. Standing in their way is an opponent that advanced to the state semifinals last year, but was mercy ruled by St. Johns Country Day.

Lakeland Christian has posted six straight clean sheets. Their challenging schedule – including matches against St. Johns Bartram Trail, Gulf Breeze and Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy – means there isn’t much the Vikings haven’t seen this year.

Unless True North Classical or St. Petersburg Shorecrest prep can produce a monumental upset, Lakeland Christian and St. Johns Country Day (15-2-5) will meet in the Class 2A final for the second straight year.

Is this their time?

Merritt Island Edgewood looks to become the sixth Brevard County girls soccer program to win a FHSAA championship.

The Red Wolves (13-2-2) are in the state semifinals for the first time. Alongside their district and regional titles, Edgewood won the Cape Coast Conference championship this year.

Edgewood has already done what no other team in the state has yet to equal: beat Ponte Vedra. The Red Wolves beat Florida’s No. 1 ranked team 1-0 in December.

Edgewood’s schedule is an example of their quality. Their losses were to St. Johns Bartram Trail – a match played less than 24 hours after the Red Wolves beat Ponte Vedra – and a road loss to then unbeaten Lake Mary.

Monteverde Academy has steamrolled to state championships in each of the last three years it has been a FHSAA member. Edgewood may have something to say about that, the Red Wolves tied Monteverde in November.

Schedule

Class 2A	Class 3A	Class 4A
Miami True North vs. Lakeland Christian	Fort Lauderdale University School vs. Merritt Island Edgewood	Delray Beach American Heritage vs. Orlando Bishop Moore
St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep vs Orange Park St. Johns Country Day	Gainesville P.K. Yonge vs. Orlando Montverde Academy	Tampa Academy of Holy Names vs Santa Rosa Beach South Walton
Class 2A Championship: Feb. 23, 4 p.m.	Class 3A Championship: Feb. 24, 10 p.m.	Class 4A Championship: Feb. 24, 4 p.m.