High School Football Power Rankings Week #4: Bad News Bears Jump Tigers; Generals, Christians, Bulldogs, and Warriors Party Up!

It’s a party in Northeast Florida High School Football, and the theme for the party is parody. Week #4 showed us that anyone can beat anyone. Lee defeated Raines, West Nassau knocked off Baldwin, Bolles ran over St. Augustine, and Baker County crashed the Ed White undefeated party. What will week #5 bring? Who will join the parody party? We get you ready before kickoff with our Power Rankings following Week #4 action!

Power Rankings by: Andre’ Ellis

1.Bartram(4-0)- The Bears absolutely put it on Mandarin last week 32-7. Quarterback Chad Dodson out dueled quarterback Carson Beck to the tune on 292 yards 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Beck finished with 46 yards passing, 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. A.J Jones added two touchdowns as well, and Craig Sinclair had two interceptions. Next they face St. Augustine, in a rivalry game that the Jackets have dominated regardless of the talent Bartram has possessed. Not this year though, the Bears are bad news for everyone on their schedule.

2. Columbia (4-0)- Columbia took care of business against Pine Forest 21-13, but what I predicted would happen did. After starting off hot against tough teams like Trinity and Oakleaf, Columbia had a let down against Pine Forest having to grind out a win. Coach Allen will be the first to tell you that he expects more from his talented team. They must exercise their demons of recent years which has shown the Tigers let up mid to late season. It’s the perfect time for a bye week before a tune up game against Gainesville next week. Madison County is circled in two weeks.

3. Oakleaf (3-1)- The Knights are playing like a team who knows that great teams show up every week. A 37-6 victory over Gainesville last week marked the third time in four games that the Knights have scored over 35 points. Look for a fourth time against Ed White this Friday, because Chantz Williams and Walter Simmons III “command” the field which spells trouble for the Commanders.

4. Sandalwood (3-0)– The Saints have rushed for over 200 yards in every game this year. The combination of sophomore Jeremiah Huntley and senior Jeff Sims is getting the job done on the ground. They’ve also won the turnover battle in every game this year. Any football coach will tell you, your percentages of winning increase greatly if you can run the ball, and win the turnover battle. That’s why the Saints are still undefeated.

5. Trinity (1-3)– Trinity falls in this week’s power rankings. Not because they lost to American Heritage, but because they did not keep it close. It’s still to be determined if the grueling schedule is taking a toll on the player’s physically and psychologically, or if American Heritage is just that good this year. We’ll find out tonight as Carol City comes to town, a team very similar to Trinity. The Conquerors need this win.

6. Fleming Island (3-0)- Making their first appearance in the power rankings are the Golden Eagles. Coach Damenyum Springs has his young but fiery bunch confident after defeating Fletcher last week 24-13. A Clay county rivalry game against Ridgeview is up next. This game is always close, as Fleming won by just five points in 2018 and eight points in 2017. So they can’t afford to sleep on the Panthers.

7. University Christian(2-1)– UC has stormed their way into our power rankings for the first time this year. Their win against Bolles the first week is holding more weight as Bolles continues to wipe out opponents. Their blowout of NFEI last week was expected. If the Christians are to stay in the power rankings, they’ll need to face tougher teams. First Coast is not one of those teams, so style points are a must if they win against the Bucs.

8. Bolles(2-1)- Bolles is another new-comer to the power rankings this year. A big win over previously unbeaten St. Augustine has the Bulldogs extremely confident. They’ve got some reliable play makers that can produce. You can tell with each week that they are getting more comfortable with Coach Toblin’s system. Another St. Johns County test awaits this week though, as Creekside welcomes them to the castle.

9. Lee(2-1)– Lee makes its debut on the power rankings after a very nice win against Raines on Saturday. Coach Small is a master adjuster and you knew his team’s slow start wouldn’t last all season.They’re just to talented on both sides of the ball. Cobie Bates, Jahiem Singletary, Kevonte Doles, Ralph Mency, the list goes on. Hopefully their emotion wasn’t all spent on Saturday defeating their rival Raines, because Mandarin will be hungry for a win after their poor showing last week.

10. West Nassau(3-1)- Welcome West Nassau to the fold as they make their first appearance on the power rankings as well. A huge upset over previously undefeated Baldwin turned heads last week. Quarterbacks Chaz Hirschman (213yds 3 TDs) and Blayze Padgett (258yd 4TDs, 1Int) have been duel threats for the Warriors. Jesse Rochay leads with 5 TDs on the ground while Ethan Johns leads in rushing with 303 yards on the ground. Can they keep it up against Bishop Kenny this week?

Makeda Lawton’s Top 10