Week 3 Primer: Battle for the Paddle highlights schedule

Hard to believe but the season is flying by as we are already in Week 3 of the season. Week 3 brings us several key rivalries this week including intense battles Friday night between Keystone and Bradford, Fort White and Santa Fe, Middleburg and Fleming Island and Hamilton County and Suwannee.

Here is a rundown of what to expect this week.

Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball

Fort White (0-1) at Santa Fe (1-1)

Fort White Indians

Coach: Demetric Jackson

Record: 0-1

Key Players: Corey Durden (Sr., RB/DE), Stephen Pilkington (Sr., LB/TE), Deondre Cray (Sr., WR), Kameron Calhoun (Jr., LB), Matt Dimauro (Sr., OL), Stanley Maxwell (Sr., RB/LB), Kanell Stewart (Sr., WR), Brayden Summers (So., RB), Rahman Paul (Sr., WR/DB), Donovan Jenkins (Sr., DB/WR), Terrance Jones (Jr., WR), Derrick Roberson (Jr., LB/WR), Dylan Blair (Sr., QB)

Outlook: It’s been two weeks since the Indians have had to mull over the stunning loss to Suwannee, look for them to take out their frustrations on arch-rival Santa Fe. Last weeks game was cancelled after the tragic suicide of a Providence player days before the game. Fort White has held on to the Paddle for nine straight meetings and we see know reason to think it won’t be ten. Rumor has it Santa Fe was so frustrated losing to their rivals nine straight times they have asked the Indians to retire the Battle for the Paddle trophy.

Santa Fe Raiders

Head Coach: Dock Pollard

Record: 1-1

Key Players: Deron Reid (Jr., QB), Leon Watkins (Jr., RB), Jarvis Decoursey (Sr., WR), Darrius Powell (Jr., MLB/FB), Deonte Graham (Sr., DB/RB), Kynian Murphy (Jr., RB/SS), Da’shaun Odem (Sr., WR/SS), Cortavis Evans (Jr., DB)

Outlook: The young Raiders stunned arch-rival Newberry 31-13 two weeks ago to win their first opening game since 2015. A week later, Gainesville put it to them 35-6 to put them back into reality. One bright spot has been Reid, who accounted for touchdowns in the opener running for 106 and passing for 55 in the win and 147 yards rushing in the loss last week. Watkins and Decoursey are big time playmakers for the Raiders and both scored in the win over Newberry.

History: Fort White leads 11-3

2017: Fort White 49, Santa Fe 0

2013-2016 No meetings

2012: Fort White 22, Santa Fe 7

2011: Fort White 19, Santa Fe 10

2010: Fort White 30, Santa Fe 7

2009: Fort White 41, Santa Fe 13

2008: Fort White 27, Santa Fe 24

2007: Fort White 19, Santa Fe 14

2006: Fort White 36, Santa Fe 21

2005: Fort White 43, Santa Fe 0

2004: Santa Fe 38, Fort White 10

2003: Santa Fe 34, Fort White 24

2002: Fort White 44, Santa Fe 16

2001: Fort White over Santa Fe

2000: Santa Fe 36, Fort White 10

Hamilton County (0-2) at Suwannee (1-1)

Coach: Doug Clayton

Record: 0-2

Key Players: Keyvon Webb (Sr., QB/RB/DB), Bailey Hawkins (Sr., DB), Nick Straughter (Sr., LB), Jheban Martin (So., OL/DL), Nick Williams (Sr., OL/DL), Darryll Daniels (Sr., WR/LB), Aderius Ealy (Sr., DB/WR), Logan Register (Sr., DB)

Outlook: The season was doomed before it really began when the principal stepped down, the head coach resigned and several assistant coaches also resigned within days of each other. Add to that new interim head coach Doug Clayton only has 25 players to work with and you see clearly why the Trojans have been outscored 100-0 in two games, after 52-0 loss to Baldwin and 48-0 loss most recently to Villages.

Coach: Kyler Hall

Record: 5-6

Key Players: Carlton Hall (Sr., RB), Josh Braun (Jr., OL), Lance Gamble (Sr., LB), Isaac Henry (Sr., WR), Keandre McKay (Sr., DE), Jaquez Moore (So., QB), Tyree Taylor (Jr., QB), Jay Williams (Sr., DE), Billy Duchaj (Sr., DE), Dustin Konvalinko (Sr., NG), Reagan Berry (Jr., OL), Dawson Chitwood (So., OL), Antonio White (Jr., DE)

Outlook: When is a rivalry a rivalry, coming off its 10th straight loss to arch-rival Columbia, the Bulldogs will look to turn things around when they host rival Hamilton County in the 37h meeting of the Battle of the Bridge rivalry. Suwannee has won 19 in a row in the series and holds a commanding 32-4 lead in the all-time series. Look for Hall to have a huge game and the Bulldogs to extend it to 20 in a row.

History: Suwannee leads 32-4

2017: Suwannee 42, Hamilton 6

2016: Suwannee 31, Hamilton 8

2015: DNP

2014: Suwannee 41, Hamilton 6

2013: Suwannee 19, Hamilton 6

2012: Suwannee 20, Hamilton 14

2011: Suwannee 51, Hamilton 26

2010: Suwannee 21, Hamilton 6

2009: Suwannee 28, Hamilton 7

2008: Suwannee 33, Hamilton 0

2007: Rained out

2006: Suwannee 29, Hamilton 15

2005: Suwannee 21, Hamilton 18

2004: Suwannee 31, Hamilton 6

2003: Suwannee 49, Hamilton 21

2002: Suwannee 55, Hamilton 7

2001: Suwannee 30, Hamilton 14

2000: Suwannee 49, Hamilton 6

1999: Suwannee 30, Hamilton 19

1998: Suwannee 27, Hamilton 26 (OT)

1997: Suwannee 25, Hamilton 24 (OT)

1996: Hamilton 27, Suwannee 6

1995: Suwannee 35, Hamilton 0

1994: Suwannee 21, Hamilton 6

1993: Suwannee 42, Hamilton 8

1992: DNP

1991: DNP

1990: Suwannee 56, Hamilton 16

1989: Suwannee 51, Hamilton 14

1988: Suwannee 51, Hamilton 14

1987: Suwannee 38, Hamilton 6

1986: Suwannee 32, Hamilton 12

1985: Suwannee 34, Hamilton 32

1984: Suwannee 7, Hamilton 0

1983: Hamilton 28, Suwannee 13

1982: Suwannee 20, Hamilton 6

1981: Hamilton 17, Suwannee 7

1980: Rained Out

1979: Hamilton 27, Suwannee 2

1978: Suwannee 10, Hamilton 7

1977: Suwannee 23, Hamilton 6

Fleming Island (1-1) at Middleburg (0-2)

Fleming Island Eagles

Coach: Damenyum Springs

Record: 1-1

Key Players: Dean Hyams (Jr., QB), Sam Synder (Sr., TE), Eugene Oglesby (Sr., DB/LB), Dewayne McBride (Jr., RB), Max Michaels (Sr., FB), Jake Libretto (Sr., TE), Jaelin Blount (Sr., LB), Jacob Ashe (Sr., WR), Jared Ashe (Sr., WR/DB), Aaron Ramirez (Sr., RB/DB), Jeremiah Jackson (Jr., LB), Andrew Thomas (Sr., RB/DB), Thomas Waters (Jr., OL), Bennett Corey (Jr., OL), Cody Carmen (Jr., OL), Evan Sheets (So., OL), Frank Rooney (So., OL), Zack Payne (Jr., LB), Bryan Maddox (So., RB/LB), Timmy Thomas (So., RB/LB)

Outlook: Coming off a stunning loss to Sandalwood last week, a game with neighboring rival Middleburg is the perfect recipe to get back in the win column. The Eagles have won eight in a row in the series and should clearly make it nine in a row. Look for the defense to get back on track with a huge night.

Middleburg Broncos

Coach: Karl Smeltzer

Record: 0-2

Key Players: Tyler Bryant (Sr., RB/SS), Joe Justino (Jr., QB/K/P), Jacob Hensen (Jr., TE), Calvin Suggs (Jr., CB), Laron Bryant (Jr., SE), Richard Cole Leclair (Jr., OL), Colby Walker (Jr., OL), Carson Faulkner (Jr., OL), Jesse Saunders (Sr., OL), Dylan Keller (Sr., DE/LB), Noah Janda (Sr., DE/LB), Anthony Havens (Sr., RB/DB), Jay Lane (So., SE/RB), Trevor Todd (So., DE), Brody Senn (Jr., LB/FB), Nate Ranie (So., OL)

Outlook: Perhaps its just a case of bad scheduling the Broncos can’t be that bad can they be ? A pair of opening losses to Menendez and Clay has seen them outscored 83-20 so far. It doesn’t get any easier though with neighboring rival Fleming Island next on the schedule a team they haven’t beat in nine years.

History: Fleming Island leads 13-2

2017: Fleming Island 27, Middleburg 6

2016: Fleming Island 3, Middleburg 0

2015: Fleming Island 28, Middleburg 7

2014: Fleming Island 42, Middleburg 6

2013: Fleming Island 61, Middleburg 0

2012: Fleming Island 42, Middleburg 0

2011: Fleming Island 43, Middleburg 0

2010: Fleming Island 37, Middleburg 0

2009: Middleburg 25, Fleming Island 24

2008: Fleming Island 31, Middleburg 6

2007: Fleming Island 41, Middleburg 23

2006: Fleming Island 49, Middleburg 8

2005: Fleming Island 34, Middleburg 28

2004: Fleming Island 19, Middleburg 6

2003: Middleburg 40, Fleming Island 10

Keystone Heights (1-1) at Bradford (0-2)

Keystone Heights Indians

Coach: Chuck Dickinson

Record: 1-1

Key Players: Ty Friedlin (Jr., RB/LB), Colton Crane (Sr., ATH), Trey Horton (Sr., RB/DB), Dan Dodd (Sr., DL), Carter Semione (Sr., LB), Josh Hughes (Sr., DL), Joey Baxter (Jr., OL), Chandler Padgett (Sr., DB/WR), Dylan Thompson (Sr., DB/WR), Andrew Cox (Jr., LB/OL), Nick Channell (Jr., RB)

Outlook: It’s no secret what Keystone is going to, give it to either Friedlin or Channell behind their huge line and try to wear things down. The Indians rushed for over 359 yards in the win over Fernandina Beach but struggled against PK Yonge last week in a loss. Channell has run for 293 yards and four touchdowns in two games, while Friedlin has run for 174 yards in two games. Motivation shouldn’t be a huge factor for this one as the Indians have lost four in a row in the series including twice last season including the first round of the playoffs.

Bradford Tornadoes

Coach: Brian Tomlinson

Record: 0-2

Key Players: Jeremiah Vaughn (Sr., RB/DB), Pedro Carter (So., ATH), Jacquez Mosley (Sr., DL), James Martin (Sr., ATH), Nathaniel Davis (Jr., WR/DB), Jackson Smith (Jr., QB), Gavin Woods (Jr., OL), Eric Smith (So., RB), Shaytron Cotton (Sr., LB/DE), Isaiah Crum (Jr., ATH), Adrien Ciena (Sr., QB)

Outlook: This time last year, Bradford was 1-1 and well on its way to making a surprising run to the state semifinals. a year later the Tornadoes are 0-2 in serious danger of missing the playoffs. A win over arch-rival Keystone would go along way to kick starting a potential another lengthy run that could propel them into the playoffs. Having won four in a row in the series gives them a lot of confidence needed to get their first win of the season. Keep an eye on Ciena, who transferred from Keystone Heights over the summer and could be the X factor in the game.

History: Bradford leads 14-10

2017: Bradford 27, Keystone Heights 7 (Playoffs)

2017: Bradford 33, Keystone Heights 0

2016: Bradford 48, Keystone Heights 11

2015: Bradford 28, Keystone Heights 14

2014: Keystone Heights 16, Bradford 0

2013: Keystone Heights 21, Bradford 20

2012: Bradford 28, Keystone Heights 21

2011: Keystone Heights 19, Bradford 18

2010: Bradford 19, Keystone Heights 7

2009: Keystone Heights 35, Bradford 12

2008: Keystone Heights 14, Bradford 13