Class 8A
#8. Mandarin(7-3) vs #1. Seminole (9-0)
Seminole is ranked #1 in region 1 and is led by junior quarterback Timmy McClain. McClain has led the team with a vaulted passing attack, passing for 1,973 yards and 21 passing touchdowns. UCF commit Jordan Davis (SR) is one of his weapons at Tight End, and he’s returned from a knee injury suffered earlier this year. However, seniors Josh Guiford (532yds 4 TDS), Zion Jackson ( 522yds 6 TDS), and O’Shae Baker (472yds, 8 TDS) have made up a well balanced passing attack. On defense, the Noles like to get after it on defense. Josh Lyles, Develle Moore and Khalil Hunter have registered multiple sacks. Andre Johnson leads in interceptions with 4 and Jordan Smith leads the team in tackles. Don Stark has gone undefeated twice in his coaching career, losing to Dr. Phillips in the 2016 State Semifinals.
Mandarin is the defending 8A State Champion and looking to repeat. Carson Beck ( Ga commit) leads the team into Friday’s contest on a roll. Beck has passed for 1,646 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s been hot of late as Mandarin, winners of four straight, have hit a stride. K’Darious Poole leads the team in tackles (124) and sacks (7). Uriel Richardson’s three interceptions leads the secondary. The defense has been instrumental in the streak. Junior running-back Matranius Mack has been a force in the running game (703 yards, 5 Tds) and receiving game (110 yds, 3 TDs). Beck is establishing a strong connection with his receivers in Jaylen Smith (581yds, 7 TDs), Tristen Riley (413yds , 3 TDs), and Devon Lewis ( 204yds, 2 TDs). Coach Bobby Ramsay makes his second straight playoff appearance in three years.
Prediction: Mandarin Upsets Seminole 38-35
#7 Spruce Creek (6-3) vs #2 Bartram (10-0)
AJ Jones (1124yds, 22 TDs) leads a rushing attack that is complimented by Eric Weatherly’s (507 rec yds 4 TDs)play making ability. Quarterback Chad Dodson has beaten every top prospect quarterback on his schedule, which should make him a top prospect as well. His receivers ZAch Rhodes (593yds 4 TDs) and Bartram’s defense is fierce as Craig Sinclair’s 6 interceptions leads the team. Phillip Burnett leads the team in tackles. Spruce Creeks offense is powered on the ground by running back Marvin Scott III. His 1424yds rushing and 18 touchdowns will be leaned upon by the Hawks.
Prediction: Bartram
Class 7A
Wekiva #6 vs Fleming Island #3
Fleming Island hosts Wekiva at the Rock as Coach Damenyum Springs leads his undefeated Golden Eagles into battle. Quarterback Dean Hyams (Sr) (1516 yards passing, 207 yards rushing and 7 total touchdowns) leads the offense. His weapons, WR Broden Domineco (Sr) has 701 yards receiving and 4 TDs. Timothy Thomas 811 yards 5 TDs, and freshman Sam Singleton’s 632 yards and 7 TDs leads the rushing effort. On defense, Zach Payne leads the team in tackles (71) and Zach Little leads in sacks (8).
Richard Bedesem’s Wekiva team has navigated a successful season, however they fell short of beating their biggest foes powerhouses Dr Phillips and Edgewater. Quarterback Brenden Cyr leads the Mustangs with 1092 yards passing and 11 Tds. Chad Davis Jr leads the team with 649 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Amari Thomas compliments him with 460 yards and 6 TDs. Harleeontai Reed leads the receiving core with 416 yards receiving and 3 TDs. On defense, Wekiva is led by Johnny Chaney, Luther Johnson and Nathan Pierre’s 5 sacks each.
Prediction: Fleming Island 27-20
Class 6A
#6 Columbia (7-3) at #3 Ponte Vedra(7-2)
Columbia has play makers across the board that can take it the distance any time. Quarterback Jordan Smith leads the team with 2,457 yards passing and 25 TDs. He has several targets in the passing game including Marquez Bell (1,040 yds, 12 TDs), and Lanadrick Bradley (788 yds 5 TDs). On the ground, Kylen Callum leads the rushing attack with 562 yards and 7 TDs. Defense is led by linebacker Le’Vontae Camiel along with Bobby Miller who leads in sacks and Jaden Dunn who leads in tackles.
Ponte Vedra and Coach Jeff DiSandro brings a high octane passing offense to the playoffs with RJ Glod leading it. Glod has passed for 2,238 yards and 17 TDs. Campbell Parker leads the team in rushing with 455 yards and 4 TDs. In receiving, Michael Olkiewicz leads the team with 468 yards and 4 TDs, while Aiden Lingenfelser has 447 yards and 5 TDs. Defensively, Shane Bloss leads the team in tackles, while Will Frank leads in sacks (8).
Prediction: Coach Brian Allen hopes the new season will spark a new winning streak to stop the bleeding. Columbia has lost 3 of their last 4 games to end the season. But the won’t lose this one. Columbia 35-24
#7 St. Augustine (6-4) vs #2 Lee (7-3)
St. Augustine’s RPI was high enough to secure the #7 seed. A remarkable job by the young team led by Sam Edwards at quarterback. Edwards has 1,745 yards passing and 17 TDs. Justus Johnson leads the rushing attack with 440 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ty Baxter (376yds 4 TDs), and Anfernee Wilson (372 yards 5 TDs) carry the load as well for the Yellow Jackets. Dequan Stanley’s 564 yds and 5 TDs leads the receiving core including Jose Blanco (448yds ,3 TDs), and Jaden McDowell (444yds, 7 TDs). McDowell is also a play maker on defense (97 tackles). Darrell Myers (98 tackles).
Lee started the season slow but finished strong with signature wins. Sophomore Cale Zarah leads the team with 1,570 yards and 15 TDs. Lee’s rushing attack has multiple parts made up of Al Gibson (719 yds, 2TDs), Cobie Bates (407 yds 4 TDs), Zaire Lee (373 yds 6 TDs), and Kevonte Doles (309yds, 4TDs) make up a dynamic quadruple threat. Terry McKinney leads in receiving 635 yards, 5 TDs. Isaiah Jones and Larry Smith lead the secondary with 5 interceptions each. Robert Simmons and Jaheim Singletary round out a talented secondary. Craig Sinclair, Ralph Mency and Jai Robinson leads the team with 4 sacks each. Ahmahd Denmark leads the team in tackles.
Prediction: Had a good talk with Coach Brian Braddock this week and he’s extremely proud of his team for making the playoffs. Said ” we’ve got a tough one though”. Yup they do. Lee 28-21
Class 5A
#8 Suwanee (5-5) vs #1 Wakula (10-0)
Suwanee’s Tyree Taylor leads them in passing with 698 yds and 7 TDs. He also is second in rushing with 608 yds and 10 TDs. Jaquez Moore’s 626 yds 13 TDs leads them on the ground, he also leads them in receiving with 282 yards. Wakula’s Jaylon Worsham has passed for 1974 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 1011 yards and 9 TDs.
Prediction: Wakula
#5 Westside (8-2) vs #4 Raines (5-4)
Westside is led by DJ Otis 1600 passing yards and 19 TDS, along with Jared Ealy’s 619 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. On the ground, Otis and Westside’s Ahmari Mahan (585yds, 8 TDs) lead the team in rushing. The Wolverines defense is it’s strongest unit with Antwon McCrae leading with 3 interceptions. Angelo Philpot leads the team with 15 sacks, and 151 tackles.
Raines is led by senior Adrian Williams and sophomore Carleton Butler Jr. at quarterback. Wide Receiver Kareem Burke is ta big play maker on offense. Nigel Smith leads the rushing attack for Raines and is an extremely efficient running-back gaining positive yards. On defense, Reginald Harden Jr, Jarius Stewart, and Treyvon Hobbs man a defense that is aggressive and opportunistic.
Prediction: Raines
#6.Godby (4-6) vs #3 Terry Parker (7-2)
Godby’s Trey Fisher leads the team with 1786 yards and 19 touchdowns. Jaquez Yant 487 yds rushing and 8 TDs. Avery Boyd’s 620 yards and 10 TDs leads the team. Alvin Jones III 520 yards and 3 TDs is second.
Terry Parker has a team of scrappy talented iron men football players who play both way football. William Wyche Jr leads the team with 970 yards and 11 TDs. Jajuan Turner leads the rushing attack with 631 yards 6 TDs, He is joined by Artis Maddox, and Tabari Rollins as play makers on the ground and receiving. Tyrone Williams is a premier play maker on offense and defense. Sophmore Javis Brooks is a great young player with a high motor that leads the team with 112 tackles.
Prediction: Terry Parker
#7. Baker Co (6-4) vs #2. Pine Forest (7-2)
Alex Bowen and Scooby Graham lead a Baker County offense averaging 73 rushing yards a game. It’s not the Baker County offense of old, and these two will be relied upon to carry the load as they’ve done all season.
Pine Forest has suffered clsoe loses to really good teams including Columbia and Escambia. Their 202 passing yards and 200 rushing yard average this year makes them a well balanced team.
Prediction: Pine Forest
Class 4A
#2 Gadsden Co (5-4) vs #6 Bradford (4-5)
Pedro Carter’s 600 yds passing leads the Tornadoes in the air. His biggest target has been Austin Lovell with 208 yards receiving. The famous Bradford rushing attack is led by Erric Smith’s 723 yards and 6 TDS. 189 yard rushing average.
Prediction: Bradford
Class 3A
#5 Trinity Christian (5-5) vs #4 Trinity Catholic (7-3)
Trinity Christian Academy comes into the contest averaging 213 yards rushing and 128 yards passing on the season. Kyjuan Herndon leads the rushing attack with 1,630 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. JaCory Jordan’s 1,069 yards passing 8 touchdowns leads through the air. His primary target is Marcus Burke who has caught 32 receptions for 765 yards and 8 Touchdowns. C.J Ross leads the team in tackles with 53 tackles. Terrell Jackson leads in interceptions with 3. The Secondary is headlined by Miles Brooks and Fred Davis.
Trinity Catholic averages 272 yards rushing primarily by Jamarian Samuel’s 1,942 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns They will attempt to control the clock and force the Conquerors into turnovers.
Prediction: Trinity Christian
#6 Baldwin (7-3) vs #3 Episcopal (9-1)
2,172 yards passing by Bryce Tompkins is one of the tops in Northeast Florida. Baldwin’s offense capitalizes from big plays from wide receivers Xavier McGriff (656yds 5 TDs) and Christian Sanderson (652 yds 6 TDs) . Amos Porter 509 rushing yards and 12 TDs is tops on the ground. Gregory Washington leads the team in tackles and Tyson McClendon leads the team with 15 sacks. Sims and Malcom Harvin both lead the team with 3 interceptions.
Episcopal’s Tucker Tomberlin 1645 yards passing and 22 touchdowns leads the team. Nick Elksnis (574yds 5 TDs) and Jack Bogan (423yds 6 TDS) leads the team in receiving. Ershod Jasey can take it the distance with 1093 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.Defensively, Langston Hardy leads the team in tackles and sacks, while Bogan and Carl Tremble lead with 3 interceptions each.
Prediction: Baldwin
#6 St. Josephs Academy (4-5) vs #3 Aucilla Christian (9-0)
William Carn leads St. Josephs with 1597 yards and 15 TDs. Aaron Roberson has scored five times and rushed for 528 yards on the season. Michael Battis 395 yards receiving and 7 Touchdowns compliment an impressive offense this year. However Aucilla is undefeated and taken care of every opponent in their way. Their 300 yards rushing average is led by Jared Grant’s 1129 yards and 18 TDs.
Prediction: Aucilla Christian
Class 1A
#5 Brandford (6-4) vs #4 Hilliard (6-4)
Branford’s Seth Heiderman leads the team with 1657 yards passing and 17 touchdowns on the season. His biggest target is Colton Leibold who’s caught 10 touchdowns and 784 yards . They’ll have to contend with Hilliard who has 41.5 sacks on the season. Nathan Wilson’s 7 and Tanner Morgan’s 6 sacks have led the team. Seth O’Neal leads the team in tackles. DJ Coston 307 yards and 7 TDs leads a recevign corp. Tywuan Lee’s 770 rushing yards and 7 TDs is a complete number that makes him a complete back. Freshman Lyle Bennett’s 968 passing yards and 15 TDS is impressive for the Red Flashes.
Prediction: Hilliard
