#1. Bolles (6-0)- It’s time to get back to work for Bolles, and it’s a big task ahead of them tonight in Stark as the Bulldogs visit Buchholz (6-1). Interestingly enough, the game is not being played in Gainesville but at Bradford High School. What was meant to be a home game for Buchholz has now turned into a neutral site game. Bolles is led by Kade Frew who has run for 873 yards, and 15 touchdowns on the season. Defensively, Bolles has a group of highly recruited hard hitters in Linebackers Hayden Swartz and Jack Pyburn. Buchholz is led by the charismatic playmaker Quan Lee. Lee has 438 receiving yards while playing wide receiver, returner and defensive back. He makes plays all over the field. Senior Adrian Sermons (407yds Rec) and junior Creed Whittmore (1041yds passing ) both have helped lead the Bobcats in total yards.
#2. Trinity (6-2)- Coming off a loss to Florida High, Trinity has a big challenge ahead in Riverside (6-1). The Conquerors have been inconsistent against good teams this year, beating American Heritage but falling to Bolles and FSU. But they have bounced back after losses as well. This will be an interesting game as all eyes will be on the two quarterbacks. Trinity decided to go a different direction at quarterback with freshman Colin Hurley over senior Daniel Plummer III. Hurley has passed for 1405 yards and 20 touchdowns impressing the Trinity staff with his play.
#3. Columbia (6-2)- Lake City Columbia wrapped up the district last week defeating Orange Park. The Tigers look to keep their winning streak going against a big test in Madison County (4-3) tonight.
#4. Riverside (6-1)- It’s a homecoming of sorts for Riverside’s quarterback Daniel Plummer III and linebacker Bryce Capers. These two former Conquerors return to Hammond Drive with a loaded team with them, equipped to match the fire power of Trinity Christian. Capers helped lead Trinity to a championship last year, yet opted to play a different position at Riverside. Plummer on the other hand was supposed to be the air apparent to 2021 quarterback Jacory Jordan (Famu), patiently waiting as a back-up for several years at Trinity before opting to go to Creekside for one year in 2020. Plummer returned to Trinity in the spring of 2021, however Trinity decided to move ahead with freshman Colin Hurley. Although Plummer has not been given the opportunity to start for Riverside this season, he still leads them in passing with 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Generals are fighting for their playoff lives from here on out, so there’s no time to play around coming off a bye week. They have to win and win now.
#5. Bartram Trail (6-1)- Bartram took care of their toughest district test so far and are in the driver seat for the title. They still have to best a very dangerous Oakleaf team.
#6. St. Augustine (4-2)- After a 29-21 victory over Nease, the Jackets remain firm at #6 as Matanzas is up next.
#7. Raines (5-2)- The Vikings remain at #7 after besting Yulee to win the District 3-5A championship. The Northwest classic is on deck for the Vikings against a struggling (1-7) Ribault.
#8. Atlantic Coast (4-3)- Three teams no one wants to play are next up. The first is, Atlantic Coast who have another big district battle for AC as they battle Fleming Island (4-3) It’s a long shot for either of them to win the district, but playoffs are still on the line, which makes this a great one to attend. Coast is playing confident football with Jacob Corley at quarterback making plays and a defense playing together. Arthur Walker is still the key playmaker that provides the sting for the Stingrays.
#9. Mandarin (4-4) – The second is Mandarin, who has quietly reeled off two in a row. They’ll face 8A long time rival Sandalwood tonight but without their gunslinger freshman quarterback Tramel Jones. It will be interesting to see if they can generate the same explosiveness offensively without him. They have two running backs that can certainly do the job for them.
#10. Fletcher (4-3)- The third team no one wants to play is Fletcher. They are in the driver seat for first year head coach Ciatric Fason, who has guided his team to four straight wins. With such a short time between being named head coach and the start of thee regular season, Fason opted to focus on district opponents primarily and it’s worked to perfection a s they sit 3-0 in district play. Jabari Williams has led the ground game with 432 yards rushing and the defense, led by defensive end Aaron Hester has held every opponent to less than 20 points all season. First Coast (0-7) is up next, as Fason faces his former team where he called plays on offense for the last couple of years.
Outside Looking:
University Christian (5-2), Creekside (6-2), Baker County (5-2), Ed White (5-1), Union (7-0),
