Branford coach Tim Clark and the Bucs are in position for a playoff berth in the initial power rankings.

LIVE OAK, Fla. — If the season ended now, Branford’s playoff drought would be over.

The Florida High School Athletic Association released its initial power rankings for the 2018 football season and the Buccaneers are among the top six teams in Class 1A, Region 3.

On the strength of its 3-1 start to the season heading into Friday’s battle for “The Helmet” against rival Lafayette, BHS currently sits in a tie for fifth with Bell High with 35.75 points.

The Bucs last reached the postseason in 2000.

LHS (3-2) is currently fourth in the power rankings with 36.6 points.

Chief land’s 5-0 start has the Indians first in the region with 42.8 points, just in front of defending state champion Madison County’s 42.4 points. Dixie County is third with 41.4 points.

Hamilton County is eighth in the nine-team region with 34 points, also trailing Union County (35.2) while ahead of Hilliard (32).

The FHSAA expanded the playoffs for Classes 1A-4A to six teams per region for this year. Only four teams made the playoffs in each region a year ago.

Eight teams per region make the playoffs in the larger classes with district champions garnering the top four seeds.

Suwannee High, though, has ground to make up to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015.

The Bulldogs are ninth in Class 5A, Region 1’s initial power rankings with 36.75 points. Ribault, which edged SHS 16-15 in the district opener Sept. 14, is tied with Wakulla and Mosley with 38.4 points.

Also ahead of Suwannee are Bolles, Godby, Trinity Christian, West Florida and Ponte Vedra.