Northeast Florida- The weather is changing and so is the climate of high school football in Northeast Florida. Last week, we saw a new #1 team atop the power rankings for the first time in seven weeks. This week, we saw several district champions crowned, inlcuding one for the first time in 13 years. Climate change is real, and so are the teams causing it. check them out below.
#1. Bartram Trail (8-0)
Last week, the Bears mauled the Bobcats of Gainesville Buchholz 21-6, to take home the 4S-3 District Championship. Their win delt Buchholz their first loss of the season, and gave Bartram their third win in the district. They face district opponent Oakleaf (4-4) today, but the outcome of that game won’t impact the district standings. Bartram is clicking on all cylinders right now.
#2. Bradford (8-0)
Dunnellon was the next opponnent in the path of the tornados as Bradford demolished them 44-0. To put this in perspective. Bradford has seven shut-outs on the season, including ones against good teams like Baker County, Baldwin, and now Dunnelon. Top teams like Jackson didn’t even shut out Baker County. That puts it in persepctive how good this team really is.
#3. Trinity Christian (8-0)
After defeating Christ’s Church last week 47-14, the Conquerors get set to face Providence (4-4). If there were a silver lining surrounding the injury to their starting quarterback Colin Hurley, it’s that it occured during the easier part of Trinity’s schedule. Hopefully that provides time for recovery, so that the Conquerors are at full strength to make another playoff push.
#4. Jackson (8-0)
Every week I explain why Jackson is still undefeated in my eyes, and last night was a prefect example of why that’s so important to note. The Tigers are having an historical season. Against Raines Thursday, they defeated the Vikings for the first time since 2009. They won the District 2M-1 title, their first district championship in 13 years. The signifigance of their unblemished season shouldn’t be diminished by kickoff classic loss in which they didn’t play their starters the entire game. The Tigers have a good chance of completing the perfect regular season next week versus First Coast (5-3).
#5. Creekside (6-2)
The Knights closed out their district play last week with a 38-35 victory over Fleming Island. It’s been an impressive season by Creekside and they look to keep it going 0-8 Atlantic Coast.
#6. University Christian (8-1)
U.C bounced back big against Terry Parker (3-7) with a 49-26 victory. I liked the way they took the loss to Trinity and didn’t have a pitty party or a let down, they handled businesses. They have a bye week before another big game agaisnt Bishop Kenny (7-1).
#7. Bolles (5-3)
The Bulldogs are barking again after a 3-game winning streak. Bishop Kenny at 7-1 is next up tonight after their bye week and they have been coming for Bolles the last few years. This one has been fun and exciting the last few years, and the records would suggest the same for 2022.
#8. Fleming Island (4-4)
The Golden Eagles put up a big fight, but fell to Buchholz Thursday night 49-35 in high scoring affair. It’s been unfortunate that a Top 10 team like Fleming Island suffered all four of their losses to district opponents. It speaks to the immense difficulty of this particular district that has four of the best teams in Northeast Florida.
#9. Mandarin (5-3)
Quarterback Tramell Jones tossed a touchdown pass to Kieren Jackson late in the game, as Mandarin took down rival Sandalwood 24-14 Thursday night, to win the 4M-1 District Title. The Mustangs finish the season against Bartram Trail on November 4th.
#10. Fletcher (7-2)
District Champs Again!! Fletcher and coach Ciatrick Fason won the 3M-1 district championship after defeating his former team First Coast 30-18 Thursday night. Fletcher will look to extend their winning streak to 7-games versus Atlantic Coast next week.
Outside looking in: Ed White (5-2), Columbia (5-3), Raines (6-2), Union Co (5-2), Oakleaf (4-4)
