District tournament time: Breaking down the Jacksonville area's boys soccer brackets

The Florida High School Athletic Association boys soccer district tournaments for 2023-24 kick off Wednesday. The Times-Union looks ahead to this year's districts across Northeast Florida. Ordinal rankings within each region are in parentheses. Schedules are as listed by the FHSAA or host schools, but are subject to change.

DISTRICT 1-7A

At Creekside

Schedule: Jan. 24, Tocoi Creek at Bartram Trail, 6 p.m.; Sandalwood at Atlantic Coast, 7 p.m.; Jan. 29, Tocoi Creek-Bartram Trail winner vs. Creekside, 5:40 p.m.; Sandalwood-Atlantic Coast winner vs. Mandarin, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 1 Mandarin, No. 2 Creekside, No. 5 Bartram Trail, No. 9 Atlantic Coast, No. 17 Sandalwood, No. 23 Tocoi Creek.

The top seed: Mandarin. This is a second consecutive unbeaten regular season for the Mustangs, built this time around senior anchor Sasha Maric in central defense and Omar Trto's mix of nonstop energy and subtle skill in the midfield. It's no contest on the scoreboard: They've outscored foes 80-9.

Area bubble team: Atlantic Coast. The Region 1-7A bubble is packed, and the Gateway Conference runners-up are far from safe despite their 8-2-5 record. The Stingrays must surpass at least two teams — Ocala West Port and Lake Brantley are next in line — to attain an at-large berth.

Player to watch: Jackson Hartford, Creekside. The senior wingback's tireless runs and accurate crosses make an impact for the Knights, with seven goals and 11 assists in support of senior Cameron Mueller, freshman Luke Amann and their teammates in a deep attack.

DISTRICT 3-6A

Late rounds at Ponte Vedra

Schedule: Jan. 26, First Coast at Nease, 6:30 p.m.; Fletcher at Ponte Vedra, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 30, First Coast-Nease winner vs. Oakleaf, 5:30 p.m.; Fletcher-Ponte Vedra winner vs. Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 1, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 5 Fleming Island, No. 8 Oakleaf, No. 9 Nease, No. 13 Ponte Vedra, No. 21 Fletcher, No. 22 First Coast.

The top seed: Fleming Island. Strength down the middle is the key for the Golden Eagles. Cade Dailey anchors the back, Daniel Vizcarrondo organizes the midfield and Lucas Horvath and Taylor Suarez link up in attack.

Area bubble team: Oakleaf. Will the Knights make it? As long as other teams don't snatch automatic bids in other districts, they have the inside track. A come-from-behind 3-1 win over Bolles on Saturday displayed Oakleaf's potential.

Players to watch: Evan Miriello, Nease. The Panthers have two FHSAA ranking points to make up and might have to win the district tournament to extend their season, but they can be confident in a senior goalkeeper in excellent form. Miriello recorded three consecutive shutouts entering the districts.

DISTRICT 2-5A

At higher seed

Schedule: Jan. 25, Middleburg vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.; Ridgeview vs. Rickards, 7 p.m.; Jan. 29, Middleburg-Columbia winner vs. Clay, 7 p.m.; Ridgeview-Rickards winner vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 8 Clay, No. 9 Tallahassee Lincoln, No. 11 Tallahassee Rickards, No. 13 Columbia, No. 15 Middleburg, No. 19 Ridgeview.

The top seed: Clay. This is near-uncharted territory for the Blue Devils, whose most recent victory in an FHSAA regional game came in 1999. Freshman Gavin Tenga tops the goal list for Clay.

Area bubble team: Based on the FHSAA ranking formula, expect only one qualifier from this district.

Player to watch: Xavier Abuhl, Middleburg. The junior has 14 goals for a Broncos team that can't be counted out, even as a fifth seed. They tied top-seeded Clay 1-1 in December.

DISTRICT 3-5A

Late rounds at Beachside

Schedule: Jan. 25, Parker at Orange Park, 6 p.m.; Riverside at Englewood, 6 p.m.; St. Augustine at Menendez, 7 p.m.; Jan. 30, St. Augustine-Menendez winner vs. Riverside-Englewood winner, 5:30 p.m.; Parker-Orange Park winner vs. Beachside, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 1, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 5 Beachside, No. 6 Englewood, No. 7 Menendez, No. 12 Orange Park, No. 17 Parker, No. 18 St. Augustine, No. 24 Riverside.

The top seed: Beachside. A young team on the rise. Only Creekside (2-1) and FPC (1-0) have beaten the Barracudas. While no Beachside forwards have more than seven goals, the Barracudas attack with balance, including seniors Darek Szarek, Xander Heittch and Chaz Luettich.

Area bubble team: Menendez. Because the Panhandle District 1-5A is likely to take three at-large berths, there's only one spot left, and for now, the 8-2-6 Falcons are on the outside. Their postseason starts against St. Augustine, a team they beat 3-0 in December on an Alan Marutov hat trick.

Player to watch: Zion Wise, Englewood. With blistering speed and the willingness to challenge defenders directly on the dribble, Wise is a potential highlight every time he steps onto the field. He's notched 15 goals and 10 assists.

DISTRICT 2-4A

At Alachua Santa Fe

Schedule: Jan. 24, Palatka vs. Eastside, 6 p.m.; Jan. 26, Baker County vs. Suwannee, 5:30 p.m.; Palatka-Eastside winner vs. Santa Fe, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 30, championship, 6 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 2 Alachua Santa Fe, No. 12 Suwannee, No. 16 Baker County, No. 18 Gainesville Eastside, No. 20 Palatka.

The top seed: Santa Fe. With the attack tandem of Sean Allin and Giacomo Burgetto, the Raiders have a pair of double-digit scorers and enter the district as the favorite, although Suwannee gave them some difficulties in a 1-0 Santa Fe win on Dec. 8.

Area bubble team: None. Suwannee, Baker County and Palatka would need to win the district tournament to advance.

Player to watch: Nathan Altom, Baker County. The senior forward leads the Wildcats with 18 goals, including six multi-goal games.

DISTRICT 3-4A

At Fernandina Beach

Schedule: Jan. 25, West Nassau vs. Raines, 5:30 p.m.; Ribault at Fernandina Beach, 7:20 p.m.; Jan. 29, Yulee vs. Ribault-Fernandina Beach winner, 5:30 p.m.; West Nassau-Raines winner vs. Stanton, 7:20 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 6 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 3 Stanton, No. 6 Yulee, No. 9 Fernandina Beach, No. 19 West Nassau, No. 21 Raines, No. 22 Ribault.

The top seed: Stanton. Reliable and efficient, the Blue Devils are always tough to break down and work tirelessly in a midfield commanded by central seniors Ethan Breslin and Leonard Spears.

Area bubble team: Yulee. Surprise Class 4A semifinalists a year ago, the Hornets hold the inside track on an at-large slot but could drop to the wrong side of the bubble if they lose Monday's game.

Player to watch: Patrick Lyden, Fernandina Beach. The senior keeper has allowed only nine goals all season, and even set up their game-winner Saturday against Providence. The Pirates have to win at least their semifinal to overtake Wakulla, and may need the automatic bid if results elsewhere don't go their way.

DISTRICT 4-4A

At higher seed

Schedule: Jan. 25, Westside at Bishop Kenny, 6 p.m.; Paxon at White, 7 p.m.; Jan. 30, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 4 Bishop Kenny, No. 11 White, No. 15 Paxon, No. 17 Westside.

The top seed: Bishop Kenny. Senior goalkeeper Gavin Salomone and junior forward Shawn Selfors (eight goals) are among the top performers on a team that's better than its .500 record might indicate, including recent wins over Episcopal and Stanton.

Area bubble team: White. Although they're a long shot to reach regionals, the 12-4 Commanders have put together their best season more than a decade. They'll likely need either the district title or multiple stumbles elsewhere to overtake enough opponents to seal their first regional bid since 1984.

Player to watch: Andre Oliveira, Paxon. Ahead of the district semifinal, Oliveira has already demonstrated his ability against White, scoring twice in a 4-3 win earlier this year.

DISTRICT 3-3A

At higher seed

Schedule: Jan. 25, Jackson at Wolfson, 7 p.m.; Bishop Snyder at Providence, 7 p.m.; Jan. 30, Jackson-Wolfson winner vs. Bolles, 7 p.m.; Bishop Snyder-Providence winner vs. Episcopal, 7 p.m.; Feb. 1, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 2 Bolles, No. 5 Episcopal, No. 7 Providence, No. 9 Wolfson, No. 21 Jackson, No. 22 Bishop Snyder.

The top seed: Bolles. Four-time defending regional champions but still looking for their first state final visit since 2018, the Bulldogs can call on the creativity and scoring instinct of senior midfielder Will Morales (six goals) to steer their postseason run.

Area bubble team: Providence. On a largely defensive team, keeper Ridge Cullen is ultra-valuable, not only recording an 0.769 goals-against average but lining up in attack to score four times. Wolfson is also on bubble territory, in the Wolfpack's case on the outside, and will likely profit if the Stallions slip up.

Player to watch: Ford Rachels, Episcopal. Whether on the tennis court or in the penalty area, the senior is a high scorer for the Eagles with six goals this season.

DISTRICT 4-3A

Late rounds at Williston

Schedule: Jan. 24, Interlachen at Keystone Heights, 7 p.m.; Branford at P.K. Yonge, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 25, Ocala Trinity Catholic at Newberry, 7 p.m.; Fort White at Williston, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 29, Trinity Catholic-Newberry winner vs. Branford-P.K. Yonge winner, 5 p.m.; Fort White-Williston winner vs. Interlachen-Keystone Heights winner, 7 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 6 P.K. Yonge, No. 8 Keystone Heights, No. 10 Williston, No. 15 Newberry, No. 16 Ocala Trinity Catholic, No. 19 Fort White, No. 20 Interlachen, No. 23 Branford.

The top seed: P.K. Yonge. A 24-goal junior, Addisu Frisbie, leads the scoring line for a 16-2 Blue Wave team that's outscored this season's opponents by an 81-15 margin.

On the bubble: Keystone Heights. With 93 goals in 16 contests, including 32 from Aaron Wiley, they're averaging nearly six goals per game. But a low-ranked strength of schedule leaves them squarely on the bubble. A potential semifinal against Williston, who beat them 6-4 two weeks ago, could determine Keystone's fate.

Player to watch: Connor Bass, Fort White. The senior, who netted 32 goals a year ago and scored four in a game last week, is the undisputed top scoring threat for Fort White.

DISTRICT 3-2A

Late rounds at Christ's Church

Schedule: Jan. 24, University Christian at St. Johns Country Day, 6 p.m.; Jan. 26, University Christian-St. Johns winner vs. St. Joseph, 5 p.m; Harvest Community vs. Christ's Church, 7 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 6 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 2 St. Joseph, No. 5 Christ's Church, No. 6 Harvest Community, No. 8 St. Johns Country Day, No. 16 University Christian.

The top seed: St. Joseph. The Flashes' strength of schedule paid off, netting a No. 2 seed in spite of a 6-7-1 record. They swept the season series against Christ's Church, winning both games 1-0.

Area bubble team: St. Johns Country Day. State finalists three years ago, the Spartans stand 0.608 points behind Gainesville St. Francis for the last available Region 1-2A playoff berth. They might need to upset St. Joseph in a semifinal to make up enough ground.

Player to watch: Caleb Zeigler, Christ's Church. The junior forward, proficient with both feet, has racked up a team-leading 14 goals for the Eagles.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school boys soccer: Jacksonville district tournament previews