The Rural Division of the 2025 Florida High School Softball Tournament is a showcase for small-town powerhouses, rising underclass stars, and the kind of passionate postseason drama that makes May in Florida special. This year, elite pitching and balanced lineups headline the bracket, and the path to the trophy goes through more than a few genuine contenders. Here’s how the field stacks up—region by region—with full analysis, key regular-season results, and Final Four projections. *All stats were based on the time this was written.

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Region 1

Jay Royals
(Class Rank: 1 | State Rank: 14)
Jay remains the gold standard of the Rural Division, coming in with a .545 team batting average and a .625 OBP. Junior Mylee Frazier (.510) leads the offense with consistent multi-hit games, and senior Kiley Samford (.431/.561) provides veteran leadership and timely hits.
Regular Season: Jay beat Northview twice (8-2, 5-0), leaving no question about district supremacy.

Northview Chiefs
(Class Rank: 4 | State Rank: 41)
Northview’s .500 team batting average (Avery Stuckey .403, Aubrey Hadley .388) is impressive, but head-to-head results show Jay as a clear step ahead. The Chiefs’ bats will need to get hot in a hurry to have any chance.

Holmes County Blue Devils
(Class Rank: 11 | State Rank: 128)
Holmes County’s steady approach (.348 BA, .400 OBP) with Jacee Bowers (.407) and Lyndsey Pilcher (.370) leading the way got them a regular-season win over Chipley—evidence they can win close, scrappy games.

Chipley Tigers
(Class Rank: 15 | State Rank: 162)
Chipley’s .185 team average doesn’t tell the whole story; their .450 OBP means they find ways to score. But lack of power and consistent contact could cost them against Jay’s elite arms.

Prediction:
Jay advances from Region 1 with a combination of depth, experience, and proven results against all challengers. The Royals have set themselves apart not just statistically, but also with big-game performances, particularly in their convincing wins over Northview. Their balance up and down the lineup, ability to generate runs, and reliability in the circle make them the clear favorite to emerge from the region. Unless an underdog gets hot at just the right time, Jay should be penciled in for another deep playoff run.

Region 2

Liberty County Bulldogs
(Class Rank: 5 | State Rank: 49)
Liberty is deep and dynamic. Junior Cha’miya Williams (.554/.581 OBP) leads a lineup featuring freshman Caitlyn Harris (.439). They’ve already logged regular-season wins over both Port St. Joe (3-2) and Franklin County (7-2), showing they’re the real deal.
Regular Season: Liberty’s pitching and clutch hitting in tight games have been their trademarks.

Port St. Joe Tiger Sharks
(Class Rank: 10 | State Rank: 104)
With Christina Clayton (.518) and Addy Silcox (.508), Port St. Joe is dangerous at the plate, but came up just short against Liberty this year—an edge Liberty will lean on in the postseason.

Franklin County Seahawks
A tough, competitive group, but have struggled to get over the hump against the best in district play.

Prediction:
Liberty County enters the postseason not only with an impressive record, but also with key wins over the other regional contenders. Their offense is versatile and their defense steady, and they’ve proven they can deliver in clutch situations. Williams and Harris provide the kind of one-two punch that can turn games around, and the Bulldogs have shown the mental toughness to weather adversity. In a region with several capable challengers, Liberty’s ability to win tight games and their regular-season résumé make them the smart pick to reach the Final Four.

Region 3

Madison County Cowboys
(Class Rank: 2 | State Rank: 29)
Madison County plays classic playoff softball—patient at the plate (.438 OBP), disciplined in the field. Anna-Kayte Smith (.439) and Logan Bass (.404) are their keys. They’ve controlled the district, but haven’t played the same high level of competition as others on this list.

Branford Buccaneers
(Class Rank: 3 | State Rank: 39)
Branford’s offense (.483 BA, .565 OBP) is tough to pitch to. Jesse Frierson and Mallory Blue (3 HR each) bring power, and Blue (2.10 ERA) is one of the division’s more reliable arms.
Regular Season: Branford has handled Fort White twice (5-1, 6-2), which bodes well for their postseason run.

Fort White Indians
A capable lineup led by Kadence Compton (.412), but a couple steps behind the region’s elite.

Prediction:
Region 3 could easily produce a surprise, but Madison County’s consistency in tight games and experience under pressure should give them the upper hand. Their lineup doesn’t blow you away with power, but their approach at the plate and knack for getting on base keeps the offense moving. Against teams like Branford that can score in bunches, Madison County’s defense and ability to avoid the big inning will be key. Expect a hard-fought regional final, with the Cowboys’ steadiness proving decisive.

Region 4

Trenton Tigers
(Class Rank: 7 | State Rank: 79)
Trenton’s formula for success starts in the circle. Sophomore Addison Allaire has been brilliant—posting a 1.12 ERA and 124 strikeouts in just 86 innings. That’s the type of ace who can carry a team through the postseason gauntlet. Add in key bats like MacKenzie Fisher (.462) and Presley Akins (.423), and Trenton has just enough offense to back up its pitching.
Regular Season: Trenton topped Williston 6-3 and enters the playoffs as the region’s most battle-tested team.

Williston Red Devils
(Class Rank: 9 | State Rank: 98)
Eighth grader Jayla Coleman (.455) and Luna Asencion (6 HR, 32 SB) give Williston spark, but youth and defensive lapses have shown up against top teams.

Fort Meade Miners
(Class Rank: 14 | State Rank: 156)
With Makayla Deleon (.623, 39 SB) and Ariel Ramirez (1.28 ERA), Fort Meade puts up wild numbers—but did not fare as well in higher-leverage games.

Prediction:
Trenton stands out in Region 4 for one major reason—pitching. Addison Allaire has proven she can shut down even the most explosive lineups, and in the postseason, an ace can be the great equalizer. Trenton has also tested itself against top competition. With a little timely hitting, look for the Tigers to ride their dominant pitching into the Final Four.

Final Four

Region 1: Jay Royals
Region 2: Liberty County Bulldogs
Region 3: Madison County Cowboys
Region 4: Trenton Tigers

Semifinal & Championship Predictions

Jay vs. Trenton
It’s a classic battle: Jay’s relentless offense vs. Allaire’s dominance in the circle. Trenton keeps it close, but Jay’s deep lineup and experience make the difference late. The Royals’ ability to string together quality at-bats throughout the order ultimately proves too much, sending Jay to the championship game.

Winner: Jay Royals

Liberty County vs. Madison County
Liberty’s clutch bats and deeper lineup find a way in a tight one. Williams’ hot bat leads the Bulldogs into the title game. The edge goes to Liberty for their ability to score in a variety of ways and deliver under pressure.

Winner: Liberty County Bulldogs

Championship: Jay Royals vs. Liberty County Bulldogs
Jay’s team-wide hitting, experience, and discipline prove decisive. Liberty County fights hard, but Jay’s offensive versatility—anchored by Frazier and Samford—delivers a state title to the Royals. It’s a fitting end to a season where Jay has set the standard from start to finish.

2025 Rural Division State Champion: Jay Royals