In the oddest of years due to the pandemic, the state high school football playoffs will have some oddity of their own. 

To begin with, everybody gets a playoff berth regardless of record. Teams that haven’t made the postseason in years — or ever — get a shot this time.

With many areas of the state choosing not to take part in the playoffs due to COVID-19, the Florida High School Athletic Association will let every school participating in the State Series have at least one playoff game.  

That means all West Zone schools, plus Oasis and Bishop Verot, are in.  

Seedings are based on the FHSAA points system (RPI), which doesn’t necessarily reflect regular season results. North Fort Myers, for example, is ranked far below Fort Myers despite a head-to-head victory.  

Class 6A: Island Coast gets a Nov. 6 play-in game in Class 6A, and will be home against Golden Gate. The winner goes to South Fort Myers Nov. 13.

North Fort Myers bypasses the first round, but could scarcely have a tougher opponent Nov. 13 at Naples. Ida Baker starts with a second-round game at Lely.

Class 5A: Postseason competition in Class 5A begins Nov. 6, when Palm Bay visits Mariner in a play-in game. The team that advances will take on American Heritage.

Cape Coral will have a first-round bye and travel to Estero Nov. 13.

Class 3A: Oasis has a play-in home game with Parrish Community Nov. 6, with the winner traveling to Frostproof.  Bishop Verot, meanwhile, begins the playoffs Nov. 13 at Tampa Berkeley Prep.

The playoffs will run throughout November, with the semifinals and championship games the first two weeks of December.