High school football is less than a week away in Florida, and the PNJ is trying to get local fans ready.
Last week, we asked fans to vote on which non-district games they’re looking forward to the most this fall. This week, the focus is on district play.
There are plenty of big matchups that will double as district games, meaning more than bragging rights are on the line as teams battle for an inside track to a district title and an automatic playoff berth.
There’s new districts this year too, as the FHSAA reclassified for the next two seasons. Seven teams changed classifications from the previous cycle, as the state dropped two classes for football. Class 7A was eliminated when new districts were initially released back in December, then the association eliminated the Rural classification and merged it with Class 1A.
Northview is now in Class 1A this fall, while Central and Jay will partake in the FHSAA’s new Independent League after previously deciding to join the Sunshine State Athletic Association for the postseason.
Even with all the changes, there will be plenty of tough battles ahead this fall, with local teams clashing with each other and some of the other top teams in northwest Florida.
That’s where readers come in. This week, we’re letting you vote for what is the toughest district featuring area teams this fall. Voting runs through 11 a.m. CT on July 28, when teams will be back on the practice field to officially get ready for the 2026 season.
Districts featuring Pensacola area teams
Note: As part of the Independent League, Central and Jay aren’t in districts this fall.
District 1-1A: Baker, Blountstown, Holmes County, Northview, Port St. Joe
District 1-2A: Destin, Freeport, Pensacola Catholic, Walton
District 1-3A: Bay, Pensacola, Pine Forest, South Walton, West Florida
District 1-4A: Choctawhatchee, Escambia, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Booker T. Washington
District 1-5A: Crestview, Navarre, Niceville, Pace, Tate
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