The Florida High School Athletic Association released tentative district assignments last week that reshuffle the landscape for several area baseball programs.
Buchholz, which captured its fourth straight district title and reached its third consecutive final four, will now compete in Class 6A‑District 3 alongside Flagler Palm Coast and Spruce Creek, both of which advanced to the state playoffs a year ago.
The realignment also puts Union County and Trenton, whose 2025 state final went to extra innings, in the same district for the next two seasons, a pairing that has already drawn criticism.
Coaches voice concerns
Chris Malphurs, Buchholz’s head coach, told the press that the new brackets make the road to a state championship considerably tougher, citing matchups against traditional powerhouses such as Stoneman Douglas and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Jiwan James, Union County’s coach, expressed displeasure with the placement of Trenton in the same district, while Trenton’s coach Chris Marlo noted that the realignment removed local rivals and added teams located far from the region.
Appeals process
Teams have until Friday, July 3, to file appeals of the district assignments, a deadline that adds a procedural layer to the already contentious realignment.
Season outlook
Despite the heightened competition, Malphurs plans to lean into a schedule that pits his squad against elite opponents, a strategy he believes will better prepare the team for any postseason run.
The FHSAA, the governing body overseeing high school athletics, will review the appeals and may adjust the districts before the season officially begins.