Not all FHSAA football regions are created equally.
Some regions have a clear favorite or two, with little else to be excited about or interested in. Other regions have legitimate depth where several teams have a real path to the state semifinals.
With the regional quarterfinals set to begin on Nov. 13, here's a look at the five toughest regions based on the final FHSAA power rankings.
5. Region 2-5A
Average power rating: 11.52
No. 1 seed: Edgewater (20.155, No. 12 overall in the state)
Coming into the season, it appeared that this could be the toughest region in Florida because of the top four seeds: Edgewater, Lakeland, Gaither and Tampa Bay Tech. The four district champs all are rated in the top nine in the Class 5A power rankings. Sebring, the No. 5 seed, is ranked No. 15 in the state. Undefeated Edgewater jumped ahead of Lakeland, the 2024 Class 4A state runner-up, in the final power rankings meaning the Eagles have home field advantage through the regional playoffs.
4. Region 1-5A
![Ponte Vedra Sharks quarterback Cole Rosendahl (7) passes in the third quarter. The Middleburg Broncos (6-0) hosted the Ponte Vedra Sharks (4-2) at Middleburg High School in Middleburg, Fla. Friday night, October 10, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://media.zenfs.com/en/palm_beach_post_natl_articles_437/445ba688d21df51a79bed4ce7bb5374a)
Average power rating: 11.54
No. 1 seed: Ponte Vedra (16.167, No. 39 overall in the state)
While Region 2-5A is very top heavy, Region 1-5A has solid depth throughout. The No. 8 seed, Niceville, was the regional champ a year ago and is the 20th overall team in Class 5A. Top-seeded Ponte Vedra is No. 5 in the Class 5A power rankings and No. 2 seed Mainland is No. 6. Ponte Vedra edged Mainland for the No. 1 seed in the final power rankings.
3. Region 2-4A
Average power rating: 11.77
No. 1 seed: Jones (18.882, No. 18 overall in the state)
Jones, the 2024 Class 4A state runner-up, headlines this region once again but the depth here is notable. The top six teams in the region — Jones, Zephyrhills, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Vanguard and New Smyrna Beach — all have eight wins and are ranked in the top 17 in the state. Even No. 7 seed Rockledge enters the playoffs with the 15th toughest strength of schedule in the state and the third toughest in Class 4A.
2. Region 1-7A
Average power rating: 13.67
No. 1 seed: DeLand (23.563, No. 1 overall in the state)
DeLand, which vaulted Vero Beach and Cardinal Mooney for the No. 1 overall team in the final power rankings, certainly gives the region a boost. The undefeated Bulldogs are looking for their second regional title in the past three seasons. Lake Mary, the 2024 Class 7A state runner-up, is the No. 2 seed. Spruce Creek and Boone are the No. 3 and 4, respectively. No. 6 Seminole beat Spruce Creek in the regular season and lost to rival Lake Mary by a field goal.
1. Region 1-6A
Average power rating: 17.04
No. 1 seed: Buchholz (22.483, No. 4 overall in the state)
This region has it all. Legitimate state championship contenders. Depth that no region in Florida can compete with. There truly is no easy path to a regional championship here. Need proof? Four of the top five teams in the Class 6A power rankings are in this region. Buchholz's lone loss was a last-minute defeat at the hands of Vero Beach, the No. 3 overall team in Florida. No. 2 Mandarin's lone loss came against IMG, the No. 1 team in the USA Today Florida Super 25. No. 3 Pace is undefeated in Florida this season. No. 4 Nease, No. 5 Oakleaf, No. 6 Evans, and No. 8 Oviedo all head into the playoffs with eight wins. Class 6A could be the most exciting this year, and Region 1 is the poster child.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida high school football playoffs 5 toughest regions