Playoff Previews: Bishop Kenny, Jackson, Episcopal, Baldwin And University Christian

There are big playoff games tonight and we kickoff our tale of the tape, previewing each Northeast Florida playoff team and opponent. Take a look each great matchup between two these well coached teams, and the break down at several positions.

2A-1

RPI Rankings

Trinity-0.613
Munroe- 0.603
University Christian-0.601
St. Paul II- 0.589
North Florida Christian-0.543
Rocky Bayou Christian- 0.481

#6. Rocky Bayou vs #3. University Christian (6-4)

University Christian Head Coach : David Penland III

Rocky Bayou Christian Head Coach: Robert Vilardo

It’s a familiar matchup for University Christian in Rocky Bayou, but for three time state champion David Penland III, it’s his first time facing the Knights under new head coach Robert Vilardo. UC last defeated Rocky Bayou in the 2018 playoffs 56-6.

Key Players:

University Christian:

RB- Orel Gray -564yds rushing, 10TDS

QB- Desirrio Riles- 556 yds passing 5TDs, 613yds rushing, 9 TDs

LB- Jerome Manning- 41 tackles, 2 sacks

DE Kaydrick Robinson 15 sacks

LB- Luke Thomas 74 tackles

WR- Ja’won Grey has returned from an injury suffered early in the season and is just in time to provide much needed help and spark to the University Christians offense.

Rocky Bayou is led by quarterback Noah Potts on offense.

Episcopal (6-4) vs Florida State University (8-1)

Trinity Catholic (Ocala)- 0.660
Walton – 0.655
Florida State University- 0.632
P.K Yonge-0.597
Crescent City- 0.567
Episcopal- 0.546

Episcopal is backing into the playoffs on a 2 game losing streak and it doesn’t get any easier. Traveling to FSU to face Tre Donaldson and company is a tall order. Donaldson has played in the last three games and scored in all three. For Episcopal, leaning on Ershod Jasey is the key. He’s one of the best running-backs in the area, and an all around football player just like Donaldson. For Episcopal to keep it close, everyone will have to step up.

Head Coaches:

Episcopal : Marcus Wells

Florida State University High:

Key Players:

Episcopal:

QB- Joseph Wiesner 1814yds 13TDs, 13INTs

RB- Ershod Jasey 823 yds, 12 TDs, Jasey has 60 tackles on defense at safety.

WR Corey Scott, 801 yds rec, 5 TDS

OLB Elijah Franklin 95 tackles, 6 sacks

Florida State University High

QB- Tre Donaldson ( Auburn commit)

Rhyder Poppell 625yds rushing , 9 TDs

Brooks Hickman- 644 Rec Yds, 3 TDS

Baldwin (6-3) vs Marianna (5-5)

RPI Rankings

South Walton- 0.663
Bolles- 0.652
Andrew Jackson- 0.575
Baldwin- 0.567
Marianna – 0.546
Gadsden County – 0.491

Don’t let the record fool you, Marianna is a tough team. Baldwin has had a great season but will need a big effort from their playmakers to bring home the W.

Head Coaches:

Baldwin : Robert Shields

Marianna: John Donaldson

Key Players:

Baldwin:

QB Ethan Krause, 869yds passing, 10 TDs, 7 INTs

RB Levarn Harvin, 399 rushing yds, 5 TDs, he also has 3 sacks on defense.

Malcom Harvin 69 tackles

Marianna :

RB Jaden McCall, 868yds, 5 TDs

Gadsden County (2-6) vs Jackson (7-3)

Gadsden County upset previously undefeated Mosely (9-1) two weeks ago to get the last seed in 4A. It’s a slightly misleading record as Gadsden County has had a very hard schedule, evident by their victory. Jackson has had a great season their best in almost two decades. It will be a good one off main street.

Key Players:

Jackson:

QB Jalen Sonnier (1316yds ,11 TDs, 6 TDS rushing)

RB Fred Gaines, 862 yds, 6 TDS

RB J’nethan Jackson , 625 yds , 4 TDS

LB Grayson Howard – 4-star athlete , 137 tackles

WR / DB Caleb Francis- 3 TDS rec

Gadsden County:

Cam Upshaw leads in total yards 644yds

Johntarrious Thomas 569 rushing, and 281 receiving

Andrew Jackson linebacker Latavian Thomas looks on during the early going of a Sept. 17, 2021 football game against Raines. (Photo by Will Brown)

Bishop Kenny (7-2) vs Wakulla (8-2)

RPI Rankings

Baker County-0.618
Raines- 0.616
Wakulla-0.577
North Marion-0.567
West Florida-0.634
Bishop Kenny-0.582
Terry Parker-0.566
Ed White- 0.545

Head Coaches:

Bishop Kenny : Tim Krouse

Wakulla: Scott Klees

Wakulla came over to face a 5A region 1 opponent Ed White earlier this year and fell to the Commanders. But that team is completely different than this one as Wakulla went on to win 7 of their next 8 games, including an upset of West Florida to gain the #3 playoff spot. Bishop Kenny has been red hot as well since their loss to Ed White. They were able to earn the 6th spot in the region but must travel west.