It’s opening night for the rest of the First Coast area tonight after the area saw six games open the season last night. The lights come on and the field is ready for players, coaches and the band to take the field tonight in our 11 county area.
Tonight features the annual renewal of several rivalry games as well as several huge games involving state ranked teams like Bolles at University Christian and St. Augustine at Baker County.
RIVALRY GAMES
Palm Coast (0-0) at Matanzas (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Series: Palm Coast leads 7-2
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
2017: Palm Coast 35, Matanzas 14
Outlook: Depending on what side of Flagler County your on, the Potato Bowl has finally become a rivalry, a roller coaster of one. After seeing Palm Coast dominate the rivalry early on with six straight wins, Matanzas finally broke into the win column with a narrowing win in 2015 and followed that with a second win in 2016 for a two game win streak. However, a coaching change at Palm Coast brought the Potato Bowl trophy back to the Southside of the county.
Clay (0-0) at Fleming Island (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Eagles 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
2017: Fleming Island 27, Clay 6
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 in the area as well as the traditional season opener for both teams.
Orange Park (0-0) at Oakleaf (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., The Castle
Series: Series tied 3-3
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
2017: Oakleaf 33, Orange Park 13
Outlook: No trophy is at stake in this one but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of blood in this one, as when Oakleaf opened in 2010 the program took players from nearby Orange Park and thus a rivalry was born.
Ponte Vedra (0-0) at Nease (0-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Panthers Stadium
Series: Ponte Vedra leads 8-1
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
2017: Ponte Vedra 24, Nease 13
Outlook: Since that initial meeting back in 2009, Ponte Vedra has dominated the Battle of the Bridge series winning eight 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.
Other big ones
ST. AUGUSTINE (0-0) AT BAKER COUNTY (0-0)
Outlook: For the fifth straight year these two area powers meet in the season opener, this time at Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats have won 3 of the 4 recent meetings including a 31-14 win in St. Augustine last year. Both of these teams have a lot to prove with the loss of heavy graduation classes and will rely on several new guys to step up and lead their team back to the playoffs.
St. Augustine Yellow Jackets
Coach: Brian Braddock
Record: 12-1
Key Players: Elijah Ryan (Sr., K/P), Brandon Johnson (Sr., RB/DB), Jarien Ramos (Sr., DB/WR), Jaden McDowell (Jr., WR/DB), Thomas Marrero (Sr., OL), Rylan Shugart (Sr., LB/TE), Nicholas Barlow (Sr., LB), Robert Zuzu (Sr., DL/FB), Darius Stanley (Sr., DL/FB)
Newcomers: Michael Early (Sr., QB/WR/SS), Wiliam Bothers (Jr., QB), Sammy Edwards (So., QB)
Outlook: Seems like every year, people look at St. Augustine and think oh they lost so and so they can’t be that good this year. Yet every year the Yellow Jackets keep proving the doubters wrong including a state semifinal appearance last season, four quarters away from playing for a state title. The same ones probably think the Jackets will be down again this season after losing 9 starters on offense including quarterback Austin Reed (159 of 248 for 2,925 yards, 34 TD, 7 INT), tailback Dexter Brown (1699 yards, 15 TD on 172 carries), tailback Frequan Sparrow (707 yards, 11 TD on 100 carries), and receivers Karim Brown (59 catches for 1385 yards, 17TD) and Cedrin Daniel (49 catches for 1699 yards, 9 TD). While those losses were substantial, the Jackets next man up philosophy has prepared all spring for finding replacements. As of day one of fall practice, Braddock had not named a starter at quarterback between the three man battle of Early, Bothers and Edwards. Whomever wins the job will have Johnson, who primarily played defensive back and was moved back to tailback in the spring, along with wideouts Ramos, McDowell and Stanley, a two way standout as weapons. Defensively, the Jackets are much better shape returning five starters including Shugart (75 tackles, 3 sacks), Zuzu (87 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss), Barlow (51 tackles, 2 sacks) and McDowell (77 tackles, 4 INT). Ryan is the weapon most teams don’t have after converting 62 of 66 point after attempts and 6 of 9 field goals last season.
Baker County Wildcats
Coach: Jamie Rodgers
Record: 13-2
Key Players: John Green (Sr., ATH), Kelton Knabb (Sr., LB/FB), Tyler Burnsed (Sr., OL/DL), Chase Hancock (Sr., TE), Kayden Hill (Jr., DE), Matthew McDuffie (Sr., OL), Myles Morrison (Sr., OL), Chris Smith (Sr., DB), Khristian Hill (Jr., DL)
Newcomers: Alex Bowen (Jr., QB), Scooby Graham (So., RB/DB), Maurice Moore (Jr., WR/DB), Will Keineth (Sr., WR)
Outlook: Baker County learned the road to success and the agony of defeat on the same day, as for the first time ever the Wildcats finally advanced past the second round of the playoffs on their way to the state championship. After getting a taste of it, now the goal becomes sustaining that success and getting back to Orlando. That starts with replacing 26 seniors and an unbelievable senior class. However, Rodgers still has plenty to build on both sides of the ball. Yulee transfers Alex Bowen and Maurice Moore will help provide depth and experienced skill players to go along with the versatile playmaker Green and newcomer Graham and beastmode tight end Hancock. Bowen will also have two key lineman back to protect him in McDuffie and Morrison. The defense took some hits but does return physical hitters Knabb and Burnsed, a Troy commit along with brothers Kayden and Khristian Hill.
BOLLES (0-0) AT UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN (1-0)
Outlook: First meeting between the Southside private school powers since 2009 and 2010 meetings won both by Bolles 55-6 and 38-19. Lets hope this isn’t just a one year deal and turns into an annual meeting again. Both teams are loaded again and likely will make serious playoff runs to get back to Orlando. With the new point system every game counts and both need this win to help boost their power rating.
Bolles Bulldogs
Coach: Wayne Belger
Record: 8-3
Key Players: Bryson Kirksey (Sr., WR/DB), Cooper Sullivan (Sr., RB), Jayden McCloud (Sr., RB), Wale Onasanya (Sr., RB), Chris Sanders (Sr., WR), Kyle Coffindafer (Sr., LB), CJ Grimes (Sr., DB), Pearson Toomey (Sr., OL), KJ Fagan (Sr., DB), Ben Netting (Jr., QB)
Newcomers: Michael Jubran (Sr., DL), Jack Brady (Sr., K), Kenny Samuels (Jr., RB)
Outlook: To say last year was a blur would be an understatement, as legendary coach Corky Rogers retired and longtime assistant coach Wayne Belger was given the keys to the program. The change was anything but smooth as the Bulldogs struggled and suffered their first, first round loss since a 1989 loss to Williston ending a 26 consecutive playoff streak of at least one first round win. Part of that was a young team growing up, a year older now the Bulldogs should be back with the return of four offensive starters and five defensive starters. As of fall practice, Bolles wasn’t sure who the starter was going to be but all signs point to Netting possibly getting the nod. Whomever wins the job with have plenty of weapons including the entire backfield featuring McCloud, Onasanya and Sullivan as well as fast athletic receivers Sanders and Kirksey. The defense is stacked as well with the return of Coffindafer, Kirksey and Fagan and should again be solid.
University Christian Christians
Coach: David Penland III
Record: 10-3
Key Players: Ridge Jacobs (So., QB), Caleb Thomas (Sr., OL), Jaedon Stoshak (Sr., WR/DB), Max McClendon (Jr., RB/LB), Maurice Shingles (Sr., RB), Joe Carter (So., RB/LB), Derek Strumph (Sr., DE), Matthew Craig (So., DL/OL), Dymond Allen (Sr., DB/WR)
Newcomers: Allen Adams (Sr., OL/DL), Cody Kopp (Jr., WR/LB), Trevor Stuck (Sr., LB)
Outlook: Despite heavy graduation losses and the loss of several transfers, the expectations don’t ever change at University Christian, no excuses and next man up mentality. After back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016, the bid for a three-peat fell short with a loss to Champagnant Catholic, the goal remains the same getting back to Orlando and competing for another state title. Despite returning five starters on both sides of the ball, Penland will rely on young guys like McClendon, Carter and Ridge on offense along with veteran Stoshak. The addition of transfers Adams (Oakleaf) an UCF commit and Kopp (Providence) will help with depth and experience on offense. Thomas and Adams will man the line and be responsible for opening the holes for Ridge and McClendon as well providing protection for Ridge to get the ball to Stoshak and Carter. The key for UC getting back to Orlando is for everyone to know their roles and do their assignments and for all the young guys to step up and fill their roles and for the few upperclassmen to lead them back to Camping World Stadium.
LEE GENERALS (0-0) AT RAINES VIKINGS (0-0)
Outlook: The last two years has brought this rivalry back with a bang and to the fore front to be included now in the conversation as one of the top rivalries in the area. Two years ago, Raines staged a late comeback thanks to a fight that broke out late in the third quarter that stopped play and forced the stadium to be evacuated and players to lay on the ground for over 45 minutes. allowing the Vikings to make the necessary adjustments during the stoppage of play. Felt cheated Lee responded last year by holding off Raines in the fourth quarter at home to hand the Vikings their first and only loss of the season as the Vikings went on to win 13 in a row to bring home their state title. So what does Round III have in store ? One thing is for sure we will have plenty of fireworks between these two heated rivals from the Westside and Northside.
Lee Generals
