News Summary
The Sunshine State Athletic Association has unveiled the postseason brackets for high school football in Jacksonville. The playoffs kickoff on October 30, featuring local independent teams. Finals are set for November in The Villages, distinct from FHSAA playoffs starting November 14. Local teams are gearing up for competitive matchups as the Jacksonville High School football program aims for success as Coach Mark Grounds seeks to add to his record.
Jacksonville, FL – The Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA) has announced postseason brackets for high school football teams in the Jacksonville area, setting the stage for an exciting playoff season. The playoffs will kick off on Thursday, October 30, with matchups featuring various local independent teams.
The SSAA finals are scheduled to take place in The Villages in November, offering a prime opportunity for local teams to compete for championship titles. It’s important to note that the SSAA playoffs are separate from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) playoffs, which are set to commence on November 14. Teams participating in the SSAA playoffs are placed into brackets based on their performance throughout the regular season.
Current game pairings for Jacksonville-area teams include:
- Stanton (5-5) at West Nassau (9-1)
- Lake Weir (5-5) at Umatilla (7-0)
- Franklin County (6-3) at Paxon (6-4)
- Bell (5-4) at Fernandina Beach (5-5)
- Eagle’s View (6-4) at Mount Dora Christian (9-1)
- Central Florida (9-0) at Aucilla Christian (7-1)
- St. Joseph (9-0) at Winter Garden Foundation Academy (8-2)
- Old Plank Christian (8-2) at Lake Highland Prep (6-2)
- Halifax Academy (1-7) at Oviedo Master’s Academy (4-5)
- Duval Charter (3-7) at Orangewood Christian (5-4)
- Seven Rivers Christian (3-7) at Christ’s Church (7-3)
- Winter Park Trinity Prep (5-5) at Gainesville Oak Hall (5-4)
- Cedar Creek Christian (0-8) at Lighthouse Private Christian (3-6)
- Rocky Bayou Christian (3-5) at Bishop Snyder (4-6)
- Harvest Community (1-8) at Winter Park Geneva (1-10)
- Geneva Classical (4-6) at Bradenton Christian (9-0)
- Shorecrest Prep (5-2) at Donahue Catholic (7-2)
- Leesburg First Academy (6-4) at Hernando Christian (7-1)
- Lakeside Christian (6-3) at Academy at the Lakes (6-4)
- Ocala Christian (4-4) at Florida Deaf (6-1)
- Countryside Christian (4-5) at Merritt Island Christian (9-1)
- Bell Creek (5-4) at Foundation Christian (7-3)
- SLAM Tampa (3-7) at Real Life Christian (9-0)
Jacksonville High School has also qualified for the playoffs with a record of 5-4. Coach Mark Grounds has been at the helm for 25 seasons and has led Jacksonville to the playoffs 14 times. Nonetheless, he has faced criticism this season, particularly in light of a recent game where the team suffered a loss of 77-0. Following this match, some expressed disappointment with Grounds’ coaching decisions, notably the lack of substitutions, prompting discussions around sportsmanship and player treatment.
Under Coach Grounds, the Crimsons hold a 129-114 overall record. He is now just 23 wins shy of becoming the winningest coach in the history of Jacksonville High School. These achievements, coupled with the playoff qualification, highlight the significance of this period for the school and its football program.
The SSAA playoffs not only showcase the competitive landscape among local high schools in Jacksonville but also present opportunities for student-athletes to demonstrate their skills on a larger stage. As the playoffs approach, both players and coaches are focused on preparing for these important matchups, aiming for success in the postseason.
In summary, with the SSAA playoffs beginning on October 30 and the finals slated for November in The Villages, Jacksonville-area teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting football season. The distinction between SSAA and FHSAA playoffs adds to the intrigue, with teams eager to make their mark.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville SSAA Playoff Bracket
- Google Search: Florida High School Football
- Jacksonville Football Collection
- Wikipedia: Florida High School Athletic Association
- Illinois High School Football Scores
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- FHSAA Football Schedule for Jacksonville
- Google News: Jacksonville Football 2025
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
