District realignment has created some interesting matchups this season:
By Times Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2003
CLASS 6A, DISTRICT 6: Bloomingdale, Durant, Plant City, Riverview, Sarasota, Sarasota Riverview.
OUTLOOK: Talk about a killer district. Bloomingdale was 19-2-1 and ranked No. 6 in the nation by Studentsports.com before losing in the region semifinals last season. Sarasota Riverview and Durant also won district titles. Sarasota was a district runner-up, and Plant City and Riverview have talent.
CLASS 5A, DISTRICT 7: Alonso, Chamberlain, Gaither, Leto, Sickles, Wharton.
OUTLOOK: After an up-and-down season, the Cowboys (12-10-2) made a playoff run before falling in the region semifinals. Expect them to be more focused this season. The Ray DiPompo-coached Ravens will be a contender, as will Sickles and Wharton. Chamberlain played teams tough last season.
CLASS 5A, DISTRICT 8: Brandon, East Bay, Hillsborough, King, Middleton, Plant.
OUTLOOK: Class 2A state champion Brandon (23-1-1) lost several stars but still might have enough firepower to edge Plant. The Panthers (15-1-2) fell to Class 3A state champion Seminole in last season's region final. King could be the most talented team in the district, though.
CLASS 4A, DISTRICT 11: Armwood, Blake, Freedom, Jefferson, Newsome, Tampa Bay Tech.
OUTLOOK: The Hawks will try to build on last season after making their first state playoff appearance. Tampa Bay Tech probably is the only other contender.
CLASS 3A, DISTRICT 9: Clearwater Central Catholic, Jesuit, Robinson, St. Petersburg Catholic, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, Tampa Catholic.
OUTLOOK: Does Robinson feel like the oddball in this district or what? Jesuit and CCC will rekindle their old rivalry and vie for the top spot. For the first time since high school soccer began in Florida in 1977, neither the Tigers nor Marauders made the state playoffs last season. Both will be out for payback.
CLASS 2A, DISTRICT 8: Admiral Farragut, Berkeley Prep, Cambridge, Indian Rocks Christian, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest, Tampa Prep.
OUTLOOK: Tampa Prep was the surprise story of Class A last season, winning the district in its first season after moving from fall soccer. Berkeley Prep also made the playoffs. In fact, this looks like the old Bay Conference.
