HS: Winter state, region rankings, Feb. 8

by Sheldon Shealer

February 8, 2016

The pendulum has swung hard in favor of Florida-North in girls soccer.

After years of domination by southern programs such as St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage-Plantation, American Heritage-Delray, Douglas, Gulliver Prep, among others, Florida-North teams collected four of the five state titles this past weekend. Despite the state's geographic playoff format, only three teams south of the Orlando-Melbourne dividing line even qualified for the state final, further reinforcing the Florida-North's growing position of power.

Orlando-area Oviedo (5A), Melbourne's Viera (4A), Jacksonville's Bolles School (2A) and Orange Park's St. Johns Country Day (1A) won titles. Montverde Academy, another Orlando area program, finished as the state's top independent team. The lone Florida-South team to capture a title was American Heritage-Plantation, in Class 3A.

In most years, the Florida-South teams collect anywhere from two to three titles. This year's single title matched an all-time low since the state broke into classifications.

National weekly highlights:

BOYS

Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) claimed a fourth straight state title after Zach Bailey converted a header in the first overtime session to lift the Jaguars to a 1-0 win over Ocean Springs (Ocean Springs, Miss.). For coach Cecil Hinds, it marked his seventh state title at the school and the third straight year his programs swept the boys and girls Class 6A crowns. Hinds serves as head coach for both the boys and girls programs.

GIRLS

Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) capped an undefeated season with a third straight state title, edging Brandon (Brandon, Miss.) in a Class 6A state final pitting a pair of undefeated teams. Freshman Cady Lloyd scored the deciding goal three minutes into overtime.

See the entire WINTER high school region and state rankings:

WINTER REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Feb. 8) | GIRLS (Feb. 8)

WINTER STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Feb. 8) | GIRLS (Feb. 8)

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