Some of the top rivalries in the area will meet in the season opener this Friday. From Palm Coast to Ponte Vedra in other small communities in between, rivalries are what make high school football so much fun.
Here is a run down of some of the top rivalries being played this week; including Ed White and Westside, Oakleaf at Orange Park, Nease and Ponte Vedra, Matanzas and Palm Coast and Atlantic Coast and Mandarin.
Ed White (0-0) at Westside (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Jerry Disch Stadium
Series: 0-0
1971: N/A
1972: N/A
1973: DNP
1974: N/A
1975: Forrest 21, Ed White 7
1976: Forrest 14, Ed White 6
1977: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1978: Ed White 32, Forrest 0
1979: N/A
1980: N/A
1981: Forrest XX, Ed White XX
1982: Ed White 34, Forrest 0
1983: Ed White 21, Forrest 14
1984: Ed White 42, Forrest 14
1985: Ed White 18, Forrest 6
1986: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1987: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1988: Forrest XX, Ed White XX
1989: Forrest XX, Ed White XX
1990: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1991: Ed White 17, Forrest 0
1992: Ed White 18, Forrest 0
1993: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1994: Ed White 41, Forrest 22
1995: Ed White XX, Forrest XX
1996: Ed White 14, Forrest 3
1997-2004: DNP
2005: Ed White 28, Westside 8
2006: Westside 32, Ed White 27
2007: Ed White 41, Westside 12
2008: Ed White 38, Westside 28
2009: Ed White 42, Westside 28
2010: Ed White 51, Westside 0
2011: Ed White 68, Westside 21
2012: Ed White 29, Westside 7
2013: Ed White 49, Westside 0
2014: Ed White 60, Westside 0
2015: DNP
2016: DNP
Key Players: Ed White – Caleb Steward (Sr., RB), Isaiah Flowers (Sr., ATH), Omari Fiffer (Jr., LB); Westside – Nelson Pagan (Sr., ATH), Stanley Thomas (Sr., RB), Jalil Jackson (Jr., QB)
Outlook: The oldest rivalry on the Westside has been one sided for the most part with the Commanders having won 16 of the last 17 meetings, including eight in a row. Could this be the year the Wolverines finally end the streak ? Skill wise Westside can match up with most teams including White; but do they have the mindset to stop the streak and pull the upset ?
Matanzas (0-0) at Palm Coast (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Sal Campenella Stadium
Series: Palm Coast leads 6-2
2009: Palm Coast 44, Matanzas 0
2010: Palm Coast 33, Matanzas 13
2011: Palm Coast 38, Matanzas 20
2012: Palm Coast 42, Matanzas 3
2013: Palm Coast 59, Matanzas 13
2014: Palm Coast 48, Matanzas 8
2015: Matanzas 14, Palm Coast 7
2016: Matanzas 14, Palm Coast 8
Key Players: Matanzas – Trenton Steward (Jr., ATH), Corey Steward (Sr., FS/RB), Devin Matthews (Sr., TE/LB); Palm Coast – Anfernee Brown (Sr., WR), Jimmy Robinson (Sr., RB/DB), Isaiah Stubbs (Sr., DB)
Outlook: Depending on what side of Flagler County your on, the Potato Bowl has finally become a rivalry. Matanzas coach Roert Ripley has made the Pirates into a consistent playoff contender now, while Palm Coast has suffered and looks to get back to its winning tradition under new coach Travis Roland.
Fleming Island (0-0) at Clay (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., CB Bowles Stadium
Series: Fleming Island leads 7-5
2003: Clay 54, Fleming Island 0
2004: Clay 18, Fleming Island 0
2005: Clay 28, Fleming Island 0
2006: Fleming Island 34, Clay 20
2007: No game
2008: No game
2009: Fleming Island 31, Clay 21
2010: Fleming Island 20, Clay 17
2011: Fleming Island 42, Clay 21
2012: Fleming Island 31, Clay 14
2013: Fleming Island 17, Clay 14
2014: Clay 25, Fleming Island 22
2015: Clay 28, Fleming Island 0
2016: Fleming Island 24, Clay 14
Key Players: Fleming Island – Jackson Bull (Sr., ATH), Chauncey Garrison (Sr., RB), Dewayne McBride (So., RB/DB), Anfernee McCaskill (Sr., RB/WR), Ryan Smenda (Sr., LB); Clay – Caleb Eason (Sr., QB), Cedric Brown (Jr., RB), Ajay Bellanger (Sr., WR), Aundre Carter (Sr., RB), Raequan Williams (Sr., ATH)
Outlook: One thing I have learned about this rivalry having grew up in the county, is expect the unexpected. The best team doesn’t always win this one. This has become one of the hottest rivalries not only in the county but the area as well as the traditional season opener for both teams.
Atlantic Coast (0-0) at Mandarin (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Arlington Toyota Stadium
Series: Series tied 3-3
2011: Atlantic Coast 32, Mandarin 20
2012: Mandarin 22, Atlantic Coast 20
2013: Atlantic Coast 13, Mandarin 7
2014: Atlantic Coast 28, Mandarin 20
2015: Mandarin 27, Atlantic Coast 14
2016: Mandarin 28, Atlantic Coast 7
Key Players: Atlantic Coast – Tanner Watson (Sr., QB), Kingsley Eguakun (Jr., OL), Darius Adams (Sr., WR); Mandarin – Kyle Smith (Sr., QB), Dominic Santiago (Sr., LB/DB), Stephen Butler (Sr., WR)
Outlook: When Atlantic Coast opened a few years ago, the bulk of its student body came from Mandarin and thus a rivalry was born. The two play for the annual Principal Cup trophy, which has resided in Mandarin for the last two years. Both have new coaches on staff and both want to bring home the trophy.
Oakleaf (0-1) at Orange Park (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Hoyt B Cotney Stadium
Series: Orange Park leads 3-2
2011: Orange Park 56, Oakleaf 21
2012: Orange Park 35, Oakleaf 0
2013: Orange Park 15, Oakleaf 14
2014: Oakleaf 34, Orange Park 0
2015: Oakleaf 44, Orange Park 7
2016: Did Not Play due to Hurricane
Key Players: Oakleaf – Tre Simmons (Fr., QB), Keshawn King (Jr., RB), Jakari Williams (Sr., WR), Jamaric Bonner (Jr., ATH); Orange Park – Marquise Brown (Sr., RB), AJ Mealder (Jr., QB), Zykeim Sermons (Jr., ATH), Kendy Charles (So., DE)
Outlook: It’s been a week since last week’s 19-6 loss at Camden County, hopefully the offense has had plenty of time to work on timing and routes. What a better way to get out of the rut than playing an Orange Park team that is starting several underclassmen on defense. Skill wise Orange Park can match up with anyone in the area, but until that defense grows up they won’t shock anyone.
Nease (0-0) at Ponte Vedra (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Sharks Stadium
Series: Ponte Vedra leads 7-1
2009: Nease 38, Ponte Vedra 20
2010: Ponte Vedra 34, Nease 7
2011: Ponte Vedra 41, Nease 0
2012: Ponte Vedra 35, Nease 7
2013: Ponte Vedra 52, Nease 17
2014: Ponte Vedra 21, Nease 20
2015: Ponte Vedra 17, Nease 3
2016: Ponte Vedra 27, Nease 14
Key Players: Nease – Zach Sheffer (Sr., TE), Ashton Wood (Sr., WR), Jareem Wescott (Sr., RB); Ponte Vedra – Duncan Van Kouteran (Sr., LB), Jack Murray (Jr., QB), Jarrett Stepp (Sr., WR/DB)
Outlook: Since that initial meeting back in 2009, Ponte Vedra has dominated the Battle of the Bridge series winning seven straight in the series. The loss of numerous starters on both sides of the ball might give Nease a edge this season but don’t count out Matt Toblin.
