Hard to believe we are already nearly halfway through the season and just 6 weeks away from the playoffs.
We are back to crucial district games this week for area teams and some teams face elimination games in some cases.
What do the experts think about this week’s games, let’s take a look at this week’s games.
Week 6 Picks
Fort White (2-2, 1-0) at Baldwin (4-1, 1-0)
Where: The Burial Ground, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Crucial District 6-1A game for both teams, winner remains in first place, while the loser needs help. Fort White has played the much tougher schedule with close losses to 7A Fletcher and 2A University Christian, which gives them the edge.
Andre: Baldwin
Corey: Fort White
Santa Fe (2-1, 1-0) at Bradford (3-1, 1-0)
Where: David Hurse Field, 7:30
Outlook: First place in District 3-4A is at stake in this one, both teams appear to be equal on paper and on the field. To close to call, give this one to the home team.
Andre: Santa Fe
Corey: Bradford
Episcopal (5-0) at Yulee (3-1)
Where: Hornets Nest, 7:30
Outlook: The lone non-district game of the week pairs two teams that equally matched as well. Can the high flying Eagles offense that is been rather unstoppable so far be contained enough by the surprising Hornets? Good test for the Hornets before they jump back into district play.
Andre: Episcopal
Corey: Yulee
Middleburg (2-3, 1-0) at Ed White (2-2, 1-0)
Where: John Gwynes Jr. Field
Outlook: Five weeks into the season who would have thought this would be such a highly contested matchup in the District 3-6A race. If Middleburg can pull off the upset here, watch out for the Broncos this season, one of the surprise teams of the season so far. Remember when Ed White was 0-2 and looking like a train wreck, well coach Kevin Sullivan has righted the ship and has the Commanders steering towards another playoff berth.
Andre: Ed White
Corey: Ed White
Oakleaf (2-2, 0-1) at Fleming Island (3-1, 0-1)
Where: Eagles Stadium, 7
Outlook: It’s quite simple, the winner stays alive in the District 3-7A race, while the loser is pretty much eliminated from the race and needing lots of help. Oakleaf might have revived its season last week with a huge win over Clay the Knights have all the momentum heading into this one. Fleming has been battling injuries all season long and has been relying on several underclassmen for help, can the young Eagles keep it going?
Andre: Oakleaf
Corey: Oakleaf
First Coast (2-2, 0-0) at Fletcher (5-0, 1-0)
Where: Jack Taylor Stadium, 7
Outlook: Six weeks into the season and the Bucs are finally playing their first district game of the season. The Bucs are heavy underdogs here and would love nothing more than to put a wrench into the District 2-7A standings with a win tonight. Cant see it happening though against a very athletic and well coached Senators team that has been challenged since Week 1.
Andre: Fletcher
Corey: Fletcher
Hawthorne (3-1, 0-1) at Hilliard (3-1, 0-1)
Where: Flashes stadium, 7
Outlook: You can bet every single coach in District 6-1A will not only be tuned into their own game but the other district game as well. That’s how tight things are in the district race, the loser may not be necessarily eliminated yet but needs a lot of help too. Look for Armani Scott to have another big night.
Andre: Hilliard
Corey: Hilliard
Atlantic Coast (1-4, 0-1) at Lee (2-1, 1-0)
Where: The Backyard, 7
Outlook: Lee has had two weeks off to prepare for this one, so don’t expect the Generals to still be hung over from the huge win over Columbia. Lee looks to stay on top of the District 2-7A race while the Stingrays would like nothing more than to throw a loop in the 2-7A standings with a upset win.
Andre: Lee
Corey: Lee
Clay (3-2, 1-0) at Menendez (1-4, 0-1)
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, 7
Outlook: Look for Clay to get back on track and remain in the District 5-5A race with a win over a struggling Falcons team that desperately needs this win.
Andre: Clay
Corey: Clay
Ridgeview (0-5, 0-1) at Orange Park (3-1, 0-1)
Where: Hoyt B Cotney Stadium, 7
Outlook: For 15 seasons, Tom MacPherson roamed the sideline battling nemesis Orange Park annually in heated affairs; now he roams the other side for once and goes up against his old school in a critical District 5-5A game for both. Orange Park may have got a much needed confidence boost in a close come from behind loss to Clay two weeks. Look for the Raiders to win this one easily and stay in the thick of the race.
Andre: Orange Park
Corey: Orange Park
Baker County (4-0, 1-0) at Palatka (2-1, 1-0)
Where: ‘The Pit’, 7:30
Outlook: First place in District 5-5A is at stake in this one, with the winner remaining in first with Clay. The Wildcats have manhandled 3 of the 4 opponents they have faced so far, along with a close stunning win over St. Augustine in Week 1. After a two week layoff, Palatka has bounced back nicely with wins over Ridgeview and Seabreeze. It’s not easy to go into the Pit and get a win but we are confident in the Wildcats to come out on top, in a close one.
Andre: Baker County
Corey: Baker County
Sandalwood (4-0, 1-0) at Palm Coast (1-3, 0-0)
Outlook: This has all the makings of a trap game for the Saints with a huge game against Lee looming next week. Will the Saints be caught looking ahead? We think Geiss has the Saints focused and ‘All in for 4’ and ready for this District 1-8A showdown with nemesis Palm Coast.
Andre: Sandalwood
Corey: Sandalwood
Trinity (2-2, 0-0) at Providence (1-3, 0-0)
Outlook: Amazing how people are beginning to write off Trinity already after two tough losses to much bigger and state power teams such as Cocoa and Lincoln. The schedule is brutal for a reason to get the Conquerors ready for District 2-3A games like this and the postseason. One matchup to watch though is cornerback Shaun Wade vs wide receiver Will Mallory, who has offer from Ohio State.
Andre: Trinity
Corey: Trinity
Paxon (2-3, 0-1) at Suwannee (2-3, 0-1)
Where: Paul Langford Stadium, 7:30
Outlook: Neither of us can figure out either of these teams, this much we know though the loser is virtually eliminated from the District 3-5A race. The winner stays alive temporarily and still has to beat either Yulee or Ribault. Will Akari Boss and the boys get back on track or will the Suwannee boys take care of business finally? One thing I know from having covered Suwannee in the past, it’s extremely difficult to leave Langford Stadium with a win. The whole town shuts down and the PA system roars ‘A country boy can survive’ as the Dogs come running from underneath the stadium.
Andre: Suwannee
Corey: Suwannee
Parker (2-2, 0-0) at Wolfson (0-5, 0-1)
Where: Wolfpack Stadium, 7
Outlook: Interesting showdown on the Southside tonight as despite being winless even Wolfson hasn’t been officially eliminated from the District 4-5A race. A win tonight could be the stepping stone the Wolfpack need to not only end their long losing streak, but take the steps necessary towards becoming a winner again. For Parker, the Braves are coming off a demoralizing loss to rival Sandalwood last week and would like nothing more to put that loss behind them.
Andre: Parker
Corey: Parker
