Gainesville High hosts First Round Playoff Matchup Tonight, More Prep Postseason Football

The Gainesville Hurricanes (5-5, 4-0) will host the New Port Richie Mitchell Mustangs (6-4, 3-1) in a 6A first round playoff game at Citizen’s Field tonight.

The Canes hope to embark on a deep playoff run after falling in the regional semifinals to Springstead a year ago.

“We excited about the start of a ‘new season’, said Gainesville High head coach Mark Latsko. “That what we talked about all week – the regular season is over and done with and right now we’re playing football in November and we get to host a first round playoff game under the Friday night lights so we’re excited about that. It’s really up to the kids at this point (to decide) how much they want to keep playing.”

Leading the way will be quarterback Caelan Christian, who has put together a nice junior year campaign with 18 touchdowns, 1735 passing yards, and only five interceptions through 10 games. While this team is laden with talented sophomores and juniors, coach Latsko expects the seniors to put it all on the line.

“Our senior class this year is probably the smallest senior class Gainesville’s had in a while,” said Latsko. “(The seniors) were sophomores when they made the state-final run and they know what it’s like to play deep into November and the early part of December so we’re kind of leaning on those guys for experience.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

** The undefeated Dixie County Bears (9-0, 4-0) will look to start a deep postseason run of their own when they host the Pierson Taylor High School Wildcats (4-6, 1-0) tonight.

The Bears go into the playoffs as the No. 1 ranked team in Class 1A.

“We got a good group of seniors that are really level-headed,” said Dixie County head coach Brent Wilkerson. “They understand what it takes – the hard work and preparation that has to go into continuing to get better. They know when you do have the number one ranking, a lot times that gives you a bulls eye on you (and) you’re going to get everyone’s best shot week to week so they prepare.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

**The Fort White Indians (5-4, 2-1) will travel to take on Florida High (7-3, 3-0) in a class 4A first round matchup. Kickoff coming at 7:30 p.m.

** The defending 1A state champion Trenton Tigers (9-1, 4-0) will start their title defense when they host the Lafayette Hornets (6-4, 2-1). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

** The Union County Tigers (8-2, 3-1) travel to battle the Crescent City Raiders (8-3, 2-0) in another 1A first round game. Kickoff coming at 7:30 p.m.

To hear audio from the story, click below:

Gainesville High head coach Mark Latsko says his guys are entering a ‘new season’

Latsko talks about his senior class

Dixie County head coach Brent Wilkerson says his guys still have to get better week to week