Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares and Port Orange Atlantic all know two things: The only way to get an automatic berth into the state playoffs is to beat Bishop Moore and beating the Hornets will be an uphill climb.

Despite Bishop Moore losing its best player when 4-star defensive end Jake Kreul transferred to IMG Academy — one of the nation’s top-ranked teams — the Hornets should be just fine. It seems the only question left for 23rd-year coach Matt Hedrick is can his team make a run at the state title?

Hedrick laughed at the question. He’s not looking that far ahead, but he knows he has the pieces that, if all fit together, could make a deep run in the playoffs.

“We have a chance to be better this year than last year, but to do that you got to beat a few teams that are just freakishly good,” Hedrick said. “But we probably have a chance to get into that last week or two if we get some help and everything goes our way. Maybe.

“I won’t say no to that, but I’d never say yes.”

Perennial powers Miami Central (9 FHSAA state titles) and Miami Northwestern (7) are the teams many are pointing to as the 3A favorite. The Hornets are in the conversation, alongside two teams in its region — South Sumter and Eau Gallie, the latter edging Bishop Moore 12-10 last season. South Sumter is loaded.

Bishop Moore won the Class 5A crown in 2015.

“Before we did it, I never thought it could be done here,” Hedrick said. “Because of all the teams we had to get through, like all those years we were trying to get past [Plantation] American Heritage. But who knows? You never know.”

Losing Kreul, with his talent and leadership, is obviously a big blow.

“We won’t concentrate on that, and we can’t control that, but Jake is great player and he’s just a great kid,” Hedrick said. “Whether it’s an injury or a transfer or whatever, anytime you lose a really good player it impacts the team. But it also provides opportunities.”

Senior Tegan McNealy is likely the guy called upon to provide the edge rush. McNealy has had a tremendous offseason and has also grown a bit at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. On the other side, in line are junior Peter Cannon (6-3, 225) and sophomore Noah Prince.

The defensive leadership will mainly fall to junior captain Trenton Gummer, a stellar cornerback who leads a talented secondary that includes fellow seniors Bobby Miller, Hudson Altenburg and UMass commit Devon St. Clair (Horizon transfer). Senior Jack Posteraro and junior Marco Mohajir anchor the defensive line. Transfer Lane Johnson (Lake Nona) leads the linebackers.

On offense, captain and quarterback Bjorn Jurgensen runs the show. The Virginia commit has options in junior receivers Kenyon Alston and Jaxon Anderson, and sophomores Magnus Talma and Matthew Sullivan. St. Clair will be the main running back and share time with West Virginia move-in junior Amar’e Johnson. Jurgensen will have good protection with seniors Aleks Freyman, Alex Oats and Grant Allen up front, along with senior Parker Stoner, and Cannon at tight end.

Tavares improved from 0-10 in 2022 to 5-5 last season in Gavin Jones’ return to as coach. The Bulldogs boast some talent on defense at linebacker with Izaiah Williams (Leesburg transfer) and Artavius Riley (West Orange transfer). Kicker Owen Wright is the real deal.

Mount Dora scored its first seven-win season since 2014 last year. The Hurricanes return quarterback Jake Sepe, along with top receivers Tanner Waring and Zyshone Perry. Also look out for running back Tymir Gaines (Tavares transfer).

Former UCF star Joe Burnett was named head coach for Eustis, his alma mater, in July. But he stepped down for personal reasons during preseason practice. The Panthers, district champions the past two years, announced their third head coach in a matter of months on Aug. 12. Darnell Harrison, formerly a standout player for Oak Ridge and assistant coach at Lake Mary and then Mount Dora Christian, took the job.

Bishop Moore Hornets

Coach: Matt Hedrick (23rd year, 176-76)

2023: 9-4, 2M regional final

Eustis Panthers

Coach: Darnell Harrison (1st year, 0-0)

2023: 7-4, 2S district champ

Mount Dora Hurricanes

Coach: Luke Hutchinson (3rd year, 13-7)

2023: 7-3, missed 4S playoffs

Tavares Bulldogs

Coach: Gavin Jones

(2nd year, 5-5; career 18-23)

2023: 5-5, missed 3S playoffs