Hard to believe but we are just four weeks from the start of the playoffs, where has the time gone.
With just a few weeks left, tonight is virtually win or go home for several teams. Who will be some of the teams clinching playoff berths or ending their playoff hopes tonight?
Without further ado, here are expert picks for Week 8.
Week 8
Orange Park (4-1, 1-1) at Baker County (5-0, 2-0)
Outlook: What a difference a year makes. Exactly a year ago this week, Tom MacPherson was on the Baker County sideline and saw his Wildcats team rally from three touchdowns to stun host Orange Park. Now MacPherson is on the Orange Park sideline and takes his team back where he roamed the sidelines the last two years. Jamie Rodgers has done an amazing job at Baker County and has the Wildcats playing with lots of confidence and in total control of 5-5A along with Clay.
Andre: Baker County
Corey: Baker County
Buchholz (3-2, 1-0) at Bartram Trail (4-2, 2-0)
Outlook: Buchholz is the defending District 3-7A champs and still the team to beat; however Bartram Trail might have something to say about that tonight. The Bobcats are coming off a tough 1-point emotional loss to arch-rival Gainesville in its last game and barely got by Oakleaf earlier in the year.
Andre: Buchholz
Corey: Bartram Trail
Ponte Vedra (5-0, 2-0) at Bishop Kenny (3-2, 1-0)
Outlook: This might be Ponte Vedra’s first real test of the season, so we are quite curious how they respond. The Sharks have nearly won every game so far by running clock, how will they respond if its close in the fourth quarter. BK struggled early on but has seemed to find its rhythm lately and has the weapons to hang with Ponte Vedra, just not tonight.
Andre: Ponte Vedra
Corey: Ponte Vedra
Keys Gate Charter (3-3) at Bolles (5-0)
Outlook: Not much is known about the Bolles opponent tonight outside of playing in Miami and in a tough district with Edison, Booker T Washington and Monsignor Pace. What we do know that is its extremely tough to go into Bolles and come out with a victory. Bolles is playing on another level right now and is in prime position to make a serious playoff run.
Andre: Bolles
Corey: Bolles
Providence (1-4, 0-1) at Episcopal (6-0, 0-0)
Outlook: Don’t let the record fool you, Providence isn’t that horrible. The Stallions have played 2A state power NFC, 7A Fletcher and Trinity. Mean while Episcopal has pretty much rolled every opponent so far and looks unbeatable at this point.
Andre: Episcopal
Corey: Providence
West Nassau (1-4, 0-1) at Fernandina Beach (3-3, 0-1)
Outlook: Battle of Nassau County here with the winner not only getting bragging rights but also stays alive temporarily in the playoff race.
Andre: West Nassau
Corey: West Nassau
Baldwin (4-2, 1-1) at Hilliard (3-3, 0-3)
Outlook: So much to lose in this game, Baldwin first must take care of business on the field and then hope Union County knocks off Fort White to remain in the District 6-1A title hunt. Hilliard already eliminated from the playoffs can play spoiler and knock arch-rival Baldwin out of the playoff race.
Andre: Baldwin
Corey: Baldwin
Bradford (4-1, 2-0) at Keystone Heights (2-3, 1-0)
Outlook: Long time arch-rivals collide in Keystone Heights tonight with a lot at stake. The winner takes control of District 3-4A race, with the loser having to battle Santa Fe for the runner-up spot.
Andre: Bradford
Corey: Bradford
First Coast (2-3, 0-1) at Lee (2-1, 2-0)
Outlook: Lee can clinch a playoff berth with a win tonight and eliminate First Coast as well. A First Coast win would throw a huge curveball in the District 2-7A standings.
Andre: Lee
Corey: Lee
Sandalwood (5-0, 2-0) at Mandarin (4-0, 1-0)
Outlook: This is the 26th meeting of all time, with Sandalwood leading 14-11 in the series. Although Mandarin has won the last two meetings including last year’s blow out by over 30 points. With first place in District 1-8A on the line, you can be assured Sandalwood hasn’t forgotten last year’s butt whopping.
Andre: Sandalwood
Corey: Sandalwood
Mainland (6-0, 2-0) at Matanzas (5-0, 2-0)
Outlook: First place in District 13-6A is on the line in tonight’s game as well as respect. Matanzas was in the same position last year undefeated and left with their first loss of the season. History repeats itself tonight.
Andre: Mainland
Corey: Mainland
Palatka (2-2, 1-1) at Menendez (1-5, 0-2)
Outlook: If Palatka has any hopes of staying alive in the District 5-5A race they have to win tonight. Menendez at this point can only play spoiler in the 5-5A playoff race.
Andre: Palatka
Corey: Palatka
Middleburg (3-3, 2-0) at Nease (1-3, 0-1)
Outlook: So much at stake in this one for not just the two teams playing. Middleburg can claim its first playoff berth since 2003 with a win tonight and set up a winner take all game with St. Augustine for the District 4-6A title. Nease win could create a three-way tiebreaker for the runner-up spot.
Andre: Middleburg
Corey: Middleburg
Westside (1-4, 0-2) at Parker (2-3, 0-1)
Outlook: If Parker has any hopes of making the playoffs it must win tonight. Westside can play the spoiler route tonight with a win.
Andre: Westside
Corey: Parker
Suwannee (4-3, 1-1) at Ribault (3-2, 2-0)
Outlook: Two things Ribault can do tonight, avenge two losses last season to Suwannee and most importantly clinch a playoff spot. If Suwannee can pull off the upset, the Bulldogs can quickly get back in the playoff race.
Andre: Ribault
Corey: Ribault
Yulee (3-2, 1-0) at Stanton (1-4, 0-2)
Outlook: You can bet, while all eyes will be watching what goes on, on the field tonight against Stanton all ears will be listening to what’s going on with Suwanee and Ribault. A Ribault win sets up a winner take all game for the District 3-5A title and clinches a playoff spot for both Ribault and Yulee.
Andre: Yulee
Corey: Yulee
Ed White (2-3, 1-1) at St. Augustine (5-1, 1-0)
Outlook: While the Commanders take on power St. Augustine their minds will be on the results from the Nease and Middleburg game. A Nease win keeps them alive in the playoff race regardless of what they do tonight. A Middleburg win tonight ends their playoff hopes, unless they pull off the upset tonight.
Andre: St. Augustine
Corey: St. Augustine
Fort Pierce Central (4-1) at Trinity Christian (4-2)
Outlook: A game literally put together this week after Duval Charter cancelled their game with Trinity and Central lost a game due to Hurricane Matthew last week.
Andre: Trinity
Corey: Trinity
Fort White (4-2, 2-0) at Union County (3-3, 2-0)
Outlook: The highly anticipated showdown is finally here with first place in District 6-1A at stake. Fort White can wrap up the district title here and clinch a playoff spot. Union County might have something to say about though.
Andre: Union County
Corey: Fort White
Englewood (0-6) at Wolfson (1-5)
Outlook: Nothing at stake but neighborhood bragging rights in this one. Can Englewood pick up their first of the season or will Wolfson win its second in a row?
Andre: Wolfson
Corey: Wolfson
