The exhibition games are over for now, now the real season begins this week. Okay so the first three weeks count but it’s the district games that make or break your season.
Buckle your chin straps folks, its district week finally and time to separate the pretenders from the contenders. The road to Orlando officially begins this week.
Here is a quick rundown of games to keep an eye on. The amount of $ signs means how big we feel the game is.
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Fleming Island (2-0, 0-0) at Bartram Trail (2-1, 0-0): Which Golden Eagles team shows up for this one, perhaps the one that upset Clay two weeks ago. The Bears with their three headed monster at quarterback got back on track against Ridgeview. The winner keeps pace with Buchholz or Oakleaf in the District 3-7A race.
Oakleaf (1-1, 0-0) at Buchholz (2-0, 0-0): After a demoralizing loss last week to Ponte Vedra the Knights need this win badly. Nick Roberts and the defense will have their hands full with an aerial assault of Buchholz, which rallied for 27 straight points against Columbia in an upset win. The winner of this District 3-7A game moves to the top of the standings.
Lee (1-1, 0-0) at Columbia (1-2, 0-0): It’s been 20 years exactly since Lee last beat Columbia and if they are ever to end the streak it might be this year. Lee has the right combo of offense and defense to beat most teams. Meanwhile after three straight road games, the Tigers finally play at home and need the mojo back after back-to-back losses and seeing 4 players suspended. Look for senior Davin Shuck to be back this week for this key District 2-7A game.
Sandalwood (2-0, 0-0) at Spruce Creek (2-1, 0-0): After seeing its quarterback Ashton Gonzalez go out with a possible season ending injury, how will the Saints respond going into its biggest game of the season the District 1-8A opener. There is no question the Saints are one of the most talented teams but can they put it together and get to Orlando. The first step starts this week against a decent Spruce Creek team coming off its first loss of the season.
Suwannee (1-2, 0-0) at Yulee (1-1, 0-0): After two surprising losses to Leon and Fort White, the Bulldogs finally got in the win column last week. If Yulee is as good as advertised, they need a win this week in the District 3-5A opener for both teams to have any chance of the playoffs. This one will hinder on the legs of Jamari Peacock.
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Oak Hall (2-0, 1-0) at St. Joseph (3-0, 1-0): The best player you have probably never heard of Tre Preston can help St. Joe to its 16th straight win but more importantly virtually wrap up a division title. St. Joe isn’t likely to drop another divisional game so a win here for Oak Hall would go along way to stealing the divisional title away from the Flashes.
Pedro Menendez (1-2, 0-0) at Baker County (2-0, 0-0): Both saw each other twice last season and both split their meetings; however it was Menendez winning the most important matchup in the District 5-5A shootout title game. Baker County is on a roll and looks on another level right now and looks to avenge last season devastating loss.
Orange Park (2-0, 0-0) at Clay (2-1, 0-0): When these two teams meet annually anything is bound to happen. The two county rivals tangle at CB Bowles Stadium in the District 5-5A opener for both teams. The winner looks to keep up with Baker County in the early race. Clay may have found another playmaker for opponents to have to stop in Tymious Goodman to go along with Colin Wilson and Jaylan Jenkins. Good thing the Raiders defense is coming off a solid performance of stopping Jamari Peacock holding the explosive back to just one score.
Ribault (0-2, 0-0) at Paxon (2-1, 0-0): One thing we can be assured of while the offense tries to hurry up and find an identity; the defense featuring Jaalen Ford, Jaylen Joyner and Antonio Hagans will lead this Trojans team. Who better to see now then a one dimensional Paxon team featuring tailbacks Akari Boss and Gabe Devoe. History isn’t on Paxon side either as the Eagles have dropped 7 straight games to Ribault. The winner of this District 3-5A game will be in the thick of the playoff race.
Ed White (0-2, 0-0) at Nease (1-1, 0-0): Despite the slow start the Commanders can’t be counted out just yet. Losing to state powers Lakeland and Raines, both ranked highly in the state polls, should help the Commanders in games like this. The Commanders have talent including Jamal Tillman, Xavion Allen, Keyon Washington, Johnnie Myers and Caleb Stewart, can they just put it all together finally. Although Leighton Alley, Jareem Westcott and Ashton Wood might have something to say about that as the Panthers come into the game full of confidence having won the game last season and knocking off county rival Menendez last week. Whoever comes out of this one will remain with St. Augustine in the District 3-6A race.
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Baldwin (2-1, 0-0) at Hawthorne (2-0, 0-0): The Indians have the talent to match up with just about anybody in 1A but can they put it all together though. Among the talent is quarterback Gavin Screws (605 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs), wide receiver Shane Sanderson (10 catches for 206 yards, 5 TDs) and tailback Isaiah Miller (500 yards, 4 TDs), an Oregon State commit. A win over a well coached and former Gator great Cornelius Ingram would go along way for the Indians staying in District 6-1A contention.
Hilliard (2-0, 0-0) at Union County (1-1, 0-0): Great Scott this is a huge game for the Indians. As in Armani Scott, the talented tailback who looks to carry the Flashes to the playoffs. The schedule is set up nicely with winable home games against Keystone and Hawthorne before traveling to Fort White Oct 7 in another huge 6-1A showdown. The Flashes might be catching the Tigers at a good time as they were stunned by nemesis Newberry 40-22 last week on the road.
Mandarin (2-0, 0-0) at Deland (1-2, 0-0): You can be rest assured Mandarin coach Quinn Gray will have his team well focused on this weeks opponent. Deland might be struggling but they have lost to state powers Mainland (35-0) and Apopka (35-0) and have the talent needed to knock off Mandarin if the Mustangs sleep on them in the District 1-8A opener for both teams. Gray won’t let that happen though with a lethal offense featuring Trey Graham, Mekhi Jackson, DeQuante Showers, Zach Netting and Spencer Mollnow; paired up with a physical defense featuring Terrance Curry, Aundre Kearney, Keon Jackson, Joshua Mincey and Darius Morris. The Mustangs have won 12 regular season games in a row and look to keep that streak going and more importantly get off to a solid start in District 1-8A.
Westside (1-1, 0-0) at Bishop Kenny (2-1, 0-0): This one has all the makings of an offensive shootout as the two teams combined for 53 points last season. The winner of this District 4-5A game will remain in contention with overwhelming favorite Ponte Vedra. The two playoff spots appear to be between four teams including Parker, who gets a bye this week. The Wolverines have talent including Tahveon Nicholson, Raekwon Peterson and Winston Sweeting but can they knock off a confident and young BK team which just shut down an undefeated Paxon team 31-2 last week.
Fernandina Beach (2-1, 0-0) at Raines (2-0, 0-0): Is Fernandina Beach for real, we will find out soon enough when the Pirates come to the Graveyard for the District 2-4A opener for both teams. Something tells me the Pirates are quite ready for the young but talented Vikings squad featuring Ivory Durham IV, Willie Wright, Brandon Marshall and Nigel Tribune.
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Fletcher (3-0, 0-0) at Atlantic Coast (0-3, 0-0): Don’t think for one second the Senators are taking this game lightly. As the Stingrays pulled off the upset last year at the beach to essentially knock the Senators out of playoff contention early. Look for the more athletic Senators featuring Michael Young, Anthony Evelyn, Calvin Lewis, Trevon Williams, Jeremiah Payton and Cordavien Suggs to pull this District 2-7A game out. Despite the abysmal start the Stingrays still have plenty to play for starting with this weeks game. A win here might change the complete direction of the season. The depleted Stingrays have a lot to still play for and would love nothing more than to pull the upset again.
Englewood (0-3, 0-0) at Middleburg (1-2, 0-0): My has Middleburg turned the corner on its 15 game losing streak. Since stopping the streak the Broncos went toe-to-toe with nemesis Fleming Island losing a tough 3-0 decision. Look for not only the Broncos to get win No. 2 but remain in the District 3-6A race.
Palatka (0-1, 0-0) at Ridgeview (0-3, 0-0): On paper this looks like a terrible game with both teams combining for four losses so far. The good news is despite the rough starts neither team is out of the playoff race yet. Palatka hasn’t played in three weeks thanks to Hurricane Hermine and a bye week; while Ridgeview has looked lost in its first three weeks. I’ll take the Panthers in this one.
St. Johns Country Day (0-2, 0-0) at St. Francis (0-3, 0-1): If either team has any chance of winning the Southern Division of the North Florida Football Conference they must win this game. St. Joseph is playing on another level and the winner must keep toe-to-toe with them to steal the division title.
Bolles (2-0) at Jackson (0-1): This has all the makings of a trap game for Bolles with a huge game against Miami Jackson looming next week. Will the Bulldogs be over looking this Jackson team and get caught looking ahead to Miami Jackson. Nah, this game will be over by half.
