Bozeman will embark on a new chapter in program history this fall as the Bucks become the only Bay County school to compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s newly created Football Independent Series.
The FHSAA recently announced the alignment for its Independent Series, which provides a separate postseason path for schools that compete outside the traditional district structure. Bozeman is one of 18 schools placed in Pool B North, which includes independent programs with enrollments of 859 students or fewer.
The Bucks will be joined in their pool by Cornerstone Classical (Jacksonville), Geneva (Casselberry), Graceville, Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach), Hamilton County (Jasper), Hilliard, Jay, Mount Dora Christian, Munroe (Quincy), Oak Hall (Gainesville), P.K. Yonge (Gainesville), Providence (Jacksonville), The Master’s Academy (Oviedo), Trinity Preparatory (Winter Park) and neighboring Wewahitchka.
The Independent Series is divided into two enrollment-based pools. Pool A consists of schools with enrollments of 900 or more, while Pool B is made up of schools with enrollments of 859 students or fewer. Each pool is divided into North and South regions.
Schools will continue to schedule regular-season games independently rather than through district play. At the conclusion of the regular season, MaxPreps rankings will determine the eight playoff qualifiers from each region, creating a 16-team bracket in both Pool A and Pool B.
Higher-seeded teams will host throughout the playoffs, although FHSAA officials retain the ability to adjust pairings if necessary to reduce excessive travel.
The North and South champions in each pool will meet Dec. 4 at The Villages Charter School to determine the Independent Series state champions.
Schools that do not qualify for the playoffs will remain eligible to schedule postseason bowl games.
The FHSAA also announced that participating schools will reconvene in March 2027 to evaluate the first season of the Independent Series and consider potential adjustments moving forward.
Adebanji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bozeman football enters new FHSAA independent series
Reporting by Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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By Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
