High school football: FHSAA Class 1R regional championship previews

The USA TODAY Florida Network breaks down the Florida high school football playoffs region by region. Here's a look at what to expect in Class 1R.

Roundup: USA Today Network reporters break down the FHSAA football playoffs

Region 1

First round

(1) Northview

(5) Holmes County 49, (4) Freeport 20

(3) Baker 33, (6) Bozeman 14

(2) Chipley

Semifinals

Northview 34, Holmes County 26

Chipley 33, Baker 20

Regional final

Chipley at Northview

This is a matchup of two undefeated teams that both can score in bunches. Northview is averaging 44.5 points per game and their 34 points in the regional semifinal matched their season low. The Chiefs rely heavily on running back Jamarkus Jefferson, who had rushed for 1,859 yards and 35 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. Chipley, a Class 1A regional champion in 2021, averaged 34.8 points per game this season and allowed 20 or more points only three times. The Tigers have a 1,000-yard rusher (Khaiden Kennedy) and 1,00-yard receiver (Dayquavious Sorey).

Northview is the No. 3 overall seed in the state and would host a state semifinal game if it wins the region.

Recruit to watch

Daquayvious Sorey (Chipley WR)

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Sorey has been outstanding this season. He caught 49 passes for 939 yards (104.3 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns through Week 9. Sorey is verbally committed to Auburn.

Region 2

First round

(1) Sneads

(5) Cottondale 54, (4) Aucilla Christian 40

(3) Blountstown 42, (6) Wewahitchka 0

(2) Port St. Joe

Semifinals

Sneads 42, Cottondale 8

Blountstown 14, Port St. Joe 13

Regional final

Blountstown at Sneads 

Undefeated Sneads have scored at least 30 points in every game this season and comes into the regional final having scored at least 40 in five consecutive games. Running back Jason Patterson (see below) has been a workhorse for the Pirates and is the key to the offense. Blountstown, a regional finalist in 2021, avenged a regular season loss to Port St. Joe last week. The Tigers have won three in a row. Amarion Hover has been a jack-of-all-trades for Blountstown, rushing for 812 yards and 11 touchdowns and leading the team with 110 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Recruit to watch

Jason Patterson (Sneads RB)

The 6-foot, 205-pound junior has been the focal point of Sneads' offense this season. Through Week 10, Patterson rushed for 1,854 yards (206 yards per game) and 26 touchdowns. He's also added a pair of receiving touchdowns. Patterson's offers include Florida A&M, Georgia Tech and USF.

Region 3

First round

(1) Union County

(4) Madison County 36, (5) Fort White 0

(3) Lafayette 35, (6) Branford 7

(2) Hilliard

Semifinals

Union County 27, Madison County 16

Lafayette 31, Hillard 13

Regional final

Lafayette at Union County

Union County was a regional finalist in 2021 and comes into this game with a three-game win streak. Running back Rayvon Durant leads the team with 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns and quarterback AJ Cortese has thrown for 13 touchdowns and rushed for nine. Lafayette has won six in a row and scored at least 31 points during the win streak. The Hornets have three running backs with at least 330 yards and seven touchdowns, including senior Kiami McKnight (873 yards, 12 touchdowns).

Recruit to watch

Markus Strong (Union County DL)

Strong is aptly named. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder is a game-wrecker who had 33 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles through Week 10. His offers include Georgia Tech, Maryland and West Virginia.

Region 4

First round

(1) Hawthorne

(5) Wildwood 46, (4) Williston 35

(3) Chiefland 49 (6) Newberry 7

(2) Pahokee

Semifinals

Hawthorne 33, Wildwood 15

Pahokee 50, Chiefland 28

Regional final

Pahokee at Hawthorne

This is a rematch of the 2021 regional semifinal, which Hawthorne won 51-12 at home. Undefeated Hawthorne ended the season No. 1 on the USA Today Florida Network poll, while Pahokee was a close No. 2. The Hornets have rallied from halftime deficits in two of their past four games, including the regional semifinal where they outscored Wildwood 27-0 in the second half. Quarterback CJ Ingram scored four rushing touchdowns against Wildwood. Pahokee is on a five-game win streak and has scored at least five touchdowns six times this season. Quaretrback Austin Simmons threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns against Chiefland. He's thrown for at least 200 yards and a touchdown in seven straight games.

Hawthorne is the No. 1 overall seed in the state and would host a state semifinal game if it wins the region

Recruit to watch

Jashon Benjamin (Pahokee RB)

The Rutgers commit checks the boxes for what you want in a running back: Speed, toughness, soft hands, elusiveness, etc. Benjamin's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is special and he has a knack for making big plays against the toughest opponents.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: High school football: FHSAA Class 1R regional championship previews