Fab 5: No changes ahead of DeLand-FPC, Mainland-NSB matchups
For another week, the Fab 5 remains unchanged. It's hard to imagine that will be the case after Friday night, though.
The two biggest games in the Volusia/Flagler area could dramatically alter not only this poll, but the playoff picture in the state of Florida. Flagler Palm Coast looks to fend off DeLand in pursuit of its second straight District 1-8A title, while Mainland tries to keep its nearly six-year District 13-6A win streak intact against greatly improved New Smyrna Beach.
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Chaos may soon be coming. For now, here's where everyone stands through Week 8.
1. DeLand (6-1)
There's a compelling argument to be made that DeLand owns the three most impressive wins of any local team. Opening with supposed upsets of Mainland and Sanford Seminole, the Bulldogs throttled Lake Mary, 47-28, on the road Thursday.
Dionte Marks caught 10 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Demaurez Bellamy again topped the 100-yard rushing mark. The Bulldogs' balanced attack (124 passes, 189 rushing attempts) has been difficult to slow down.
Junior linebacker Ian Schoenwetter has also made a big impact since returning from an elbow injury, averaging 12 total tackles per game with two sacks.
Last Week: 1
2. Flagler Palm Coast (7-1)
Handling its business in an anticipated rematch with Spruce Creek, FPC controls its own postseason destiny in the final two weeks. Wins over DeLand and Mandarin would guarantee a second straight district title, a home playoff game and likely a top-2 overall seed in the region.
Tyler Irigoyen added two more sacks for FPC's defense, which was somewhat shorthanded against Spruce Creek. All-Area safety Dennis Shorter sat out with a back injury, but is expected to return on Friday.
Last Week: 2
3. Mainland (5-3)
Mainland got much more of a fight than anyone anticipated from Matanzas, leading by a score of only 7-0 after three quarters. D'Andre McMillian's two fourth-quarter touchdown runs helped the Bucs survive, 21-6.
The Bucs have reached the state playoffs for 24 consecutive seasons, the last five have come as district champions. Knocking off New Smyrna Beach would all but wrap things up again.
Last Week: 3
4. New Smyrna Beach (6-1)
The Barracudas extended their winning streak to five despite what head coach John Wilkinson deemed a "terrible" performance, particularly in the second half. They handled Seabreeze, 23-6, despite gaining only 94 yards after halftime.
NSB last won a district title in 2012, a season in which it ran the table with a 9-0 record. The 'Cudas are also very much in the thick of the Region 4-6A wild-card race.
Last Week: 4
5. Father Lopez (6-2)
With a forfeit victory looming, as its Oct. 26 game with Warner Christian will not happen, Father Lopez will safely coast into the Class 3A playoffs. The Green Wave knocked off region rival Taylor, 42-14, behind TJ Lockley's three touchdowns.
Father Lopez will have just shy of three weeks to prepare for its regular season finale on Nov. 1, an intriguing matchup with 4A playoff hopeful Atlantic.
Last Week: 5