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The 2026 Pinellas County high school football playoffs have arrived, bringing seven exciting matchups across four classifications. Local teams will face familiar rivals, defending champions, and dangerous opponents from across Florida. The Florida High School Athletic Association released its playoff brackets on November 6. Now, the postseason begins Friday, November 13. Every team enters with the same objective: survive another week and move closer to a state championship. The regional quarterfinals open a challenging postseason journey. Regional semifinals follow November 20, while regional championships take place November 27. State semifinals arrive December 4, followed by championship games December 9-12 in Miami. Pinellas County features several compelling storylines, including championship experience, outstanding regular seasons, and programs seeking postseason breakthroughs.
Class 1A, Region 3: Community School of Naples Seahawks at St. Petersburg Catholic Barons
St. Petersburg Catholic enters the playoffs as Region 3’s fourth seed. Meanwhile, Community School of Naples secured the fifth seed, creating an intriguing opening-round matchup. Both programs earned postseason invitations through their regular-season performances and regional rankings. Neither team claimed a district championship, making their playoff selections especially important. The Barons will enjoy home-field advantage, giving them an opportunity to establish momentum early. However, the Seahawks will arrive looking to spoil those plans. St. Petersburg Catholic must control the line of scrimmage and avoid costly turnovers. Additionally, the Barons need consistent offensive production to keep their opponents from controlling possession. Community School of Naples must answer with physical defense and efficient offensive drives. The Seahawks cannot afford repeated mistakes against a motivated home team. The winner advances toward a potential regional semifinal against top-seeded Carrollwood Day. That possibility makes Friday’s contest even more significant.
Class 2A, Region 2: Calvary Christian Warriors at The First Academy Royals
Calvary Christian faces one of the region’s toughest opening-round assignments. The Warriors enter as the eighth seed against top seeded The First Academy. The Royals earned their position through a district championship and the region’s highest playoff seed. Meanwhile, Calvary Christian secured an at-large postseason opportunity despite missing a district title. The Warriors must deliver their strongest performance to extend their season. Their challenge begins with slowing an opponent that earned the region’s top ranking. Calvary Christian needs sustained offensive possessions and disciplined defensive execution. Furthermore, the Warriors must capitalize whenever the Royals make mistakes. The First Academy enters with significant expectations and home-field advantage. However, postseason football can punish any team that overlooks an opponent. For Calvary Christian, an upset would represent a major accomplishment. The Warriors have an opportunity to change their season’s narrative with one outstanding performance.
Class 2A, Region 2: Lakewood Spartans at Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders
Two Pinellas County programs will battle for postseason survival in Clearwater. Clearwater Central Catholic enters as the second seed after winning its district championship. Meanwhile, Lakewood earned the seventh seed through its regular-season performance and regional qualification. The Marauders carry championship expectations into the postseason. Their district title and favorable seeding give them an excellent opportunity to make another playoff run. However, Lakewood will not surrender simply because Clearwater Central Catholic holds the higher seed. The Spartans understand the importance of playing physical football against a familiar county opponent.
Clearwater Central Catholic must establish its running game and maintain defensive discipline. Additionally, the Marauders need to prevent explosive plays that could shift momentum. Lakewood must win the turnover battle and create manageable offensive situations. The Spartans also need strong special teams to improve their field position. The winner advances into the regional semifinals, keeping its championship aspirations alive. For the losing program, Friday marks the end of its 2026 season.
Class 3A, Region 3: Dunedin Falcons at Cardinal Mooney Cougars
Dunedin faces an enormous challenge against the defending Class 3A state champions. Cardinal Mooney captured the 2025 championship and enters this postseason as Region 3’s top seed. The Cougars also won their district championship, strengthening their position entering November. Meanwhile, Dunedin earned the eighth seed through the regional qualification process. The Falcons now have an opportunity to challenge one of Florida’s established postseason programs. Cardinal Mooney brings valuable championship experience into this contest. The Cougars understand the preparation, execution, and discipline necessary for a successful playoff run.
However, Dunedin can approach this game without the pressure surrounding the defending champions. The Falcons must play aggressively while avoiding unnecessary mistakes. Dunedin needs to control possession and limit Cardinal Mooney’s scoring opportunities. Furthermore, the Falcons must execute defensively against a talented opponent. Cardinal Mooney will attempt to establish control early and protect its home field. An upset would become one of Pinellas County’s biggest postseason stories. Regardless of the outcome, Dunedin has earned another opportunity to compete beyond the regular season.
Class 3A, Region 3: Tarpon Springs Spongers at Robinson Knights
Tarpon Springs enters the playoffs with a district championship and a challenging first-round opponent. The Spongers earned the fifth seed after capturing their district title. Meanwhile, Robinson also won its district championship and secured the fourth seed. That combination creates an interesting matchup between two teams that already understand winning important games. Despite Tarpon Springs’ championship, the Spongers must travel to Robinson for the opening round. Tarpon Springs must establish its offensive identity immediately. The Spongers cannot afford slowly starts or repeated penalties against another district champion.
Robinson will attempt to use home-field advantage and consistent execution to control the contest. Additionally, the Knights must protect the football against an opponent seeking another meaningful victory. The battle along both lines could determine the outcome. Tarpon Springs needs defensive stops, especially during critical third-down situations. Robinson must prevent the Spongers from controlling possession and dictating the game’s tempo. Both programs earned their playoff opportunities by winning district championships. However, only one can continue toward the regional semifinals.
Class 3A, Region 3: Gibbs Gladiators at Nature Coast Sharks
Gibbs enters the postseason seeking an upset against one of Region 3’s strongest teams. The Gladiators earned the seventh seed through the regional qualification process. Meanwhile, Nature Coast captured its district championship and secured the second seed. The Sharks will host Gibbs with the expectation of advancing deeper into November. However, the Gladiators have an opportunity to change those expectations with a strong performance. Gibbs must emphasize defensive discipline and avoid giving Nature Coast additional possessions. Furthermore, the Gladiators need offensive consistency to keep the game competitive.
Nature Coast will attempt to establish control through physical football and efficient execution. The Sharks also have the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters. For Gibbs, the most important objective involves staying within striking distance. An early deficit could create significant pressure against a higher-seeded opponent. The Gladiators must convert scoring opportunities and capitalize on defensive takeaways. Nature Coast enters as the favorite based on its seeding and district championship. Nevertheless, Gibbs has an opportunity to deliver a memorable postseason performance.
Class 4A, Region 3: Dunbar Fighting Tigers at Clearwater Tornadoes
Clearwater enters the playoffs following an outstanding 9-1 regular season. The Tornadoes captured their district championship and secured the fifth seed in Region 3. Meanwhile, Dunbar earned the fourth seed and will travel to Clearwater for this opening-round contest. Dunbar enters with considerable momentum after winning six consecutive games. The Fighting Tigers also compiled a 4-1 road record during the regular season. Those numbers create an intriguing matchup between two programs carrying confidence into November. Clearwater must protect its home field against an opponent comfortable playing away from home.
The Tornadoes need to establish their offensive rhythm and control the game’s physical battles. Dunbar will attempt to continue its winning streak through aggressive defense and efficient offense. Additionally, the Fighting Tigers must avoid turnovers that could energize Clearwater’s home crowd. The Tornadoes have enjoyed one of Pinellas County’s strongest regular seasons. However, their impressive record offers no guarantees against a dangerous postseason opponent. Clearwater must execute during critical situations and prevent Dunbar from building early momentum. This matchup could become one of the region’s most competitive opening-round games. The winner will advance into the regional semifinals with growing confidence.
Pinellas County’s Championship Chase Begins
The seven matchups offer different challenges for Pinellas County’s postseason representatives. Some teams enter as district champions, while others secured opportunities through regional qualification. Clearwater Central Catholic and Tarpon Springs bring district championships into their opening-round contests. Clearwater also carries a district title and an impressive 9-1 record. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Catholic will attempt to capitalize on home-field advantage. Calvary Christian, Dunedin, Lakewood, and Gibbs face difficult assignments against higher-seeded opponents. Each team must understand that regular-season accomplishments no longer guarantee success. One turnover, defensive breakdown, or missed scoring opportunity could determine an entire season. Additionally, several programs face opponents with significant championship experience.
Cardinal Mooney enters as a defending state champion, while The First Academy holds its region’s top seed. Nevertheless, playoff football creates opportunities for unexpected results. Underdogs can change games through defensive takeaways, special teams, and disciplined execution. For Pinellas County football supporters, November offers another opportunity to celebrate local programs competing on Florida’s biggest stages. The ultimate destination remains Miami, where Florida will crown its state champions in December. However, every championship journey begins with surviving the opening round. For these seven Pinellas County teams, that journey starts Friday night. The stakes are simple: win and advance or watch the championship dream disappear.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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