Rivals Reunited? FHSAA Tentative Districts Released

Mainland, DeLand, & Creek Collide as FHSAA Shakes Up 2026 District

Mainland lines up against Spruce Creek at Daytona Stadium

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has dropped its tentative football classifications for the 2026 season, and for fans in Volusia and Flagler counties, the landscape is shifting in a major way. With the state moving to a consolidated six-classification system (1A–6A, plus Rural), several local programs are finding themselves in new territory—or in some cases, back in the ring with old heavyweights.

While these assignments are tentative pending appeals due December 15, the proposed districts set the stage for some intense local battles. Here is what we know so far about the new 6A-2 and 4A-6 districts.

The New "Big School" Battleground: District 6A-2

One of the most eye-opening adjustments is the composition of District 6A-2. This district effectively gathers the area's largest enrollment powerhouses into a single, high-stakes group.

The Tentative Lineup:

• DeLand

• Flagler Palm Coast

• Forest (Ocala)

• Mainland (Daytona Beach)

• Spruce Creek (Port Orange)

For years, Mainland has dominated in classifications slightly below the state’s largest (often 5A or 6A under previous models), while schools like DeLand, Spruce Creek, and Flagler Palm Coast battled in the highest bracket (formerly 8A or 4M).

This new alignment allows Mainland to "rejoin familiar foes" not just for bragging rights, but for district hardware. Mainland has maintained fierce non-district rivalries with these schools—often playing them in packed regular-season finales—but those games were usually tune-ups for different playoff brackets. Now, a Friday night clash against DeLand or Spruce Creek carries direct playoff implications. The local rivalries just got a massive injection of incentive.

The I-4 & Volusia Mix: District 4A-6

The proposed District 4A-6 offers a fascinating blend of Volusia County staples and competitive Orlando/Seminole area programs.

The Tentative Lineup:

• Bishop Moore (Orlando)

• Deltona

• New Smyrna Beach

• Pine Ridge (Deltona)

• Seabreeze (Daytona Beach)

• Winter Springs

I-4 Corridor Clashes. This district keeps the historic rivalry between Seabreeze and Mainland separated in district play, preserving their matchup as a likely non-district classic. However, it creates a competitive corridor for Deltona, Pine Ridge, and New Smyrna Beach. The addition of Orlando's Bishop Moore—a perennial private school power—adds a significant hurdle for the Volusia public schools hoping to claim a district title.

The Independent Route

Not every school is locking into a district. According to the tentative list, two notable local programs are currently charted as Independents:

• Halifax Academy

• Atlantic High School (Port Orange)

  
  

For a program like Atlantic, which is currently in a rebuilding phase, independent status can be a strategic move. It allows the administration to craft a schedule that matches their team's competitive depth rather than being forced into a grinder of a district schedule against powerhouses. This flexibility can be crucial for building confidence and roster numbers.

What’s Next?

It is important to remember that the ink isn't dry. Schools have a short window to argue their case if they believe they have been misplaced due to enrollment numbers or geography.

• Appeal Deadline: December 15

• Final Release: December 17

  
  

For now, Volusia and Flagler fans can start circling dates on the calendar. The 2026 season looks like it will bring some of the best local versus local football we have seen in years.

View the full list on the FHSAA Website