Northeast Fl- The weather is changing, and Fall is upon us. That means the mid-season mark for high school football is here. Madness has already begun with two big upsets in back to back weeks. Will there be another this week? Let the mid-season madness begin.
1. Bradford (4-0)
At the mid-season mark, Bradford comes in at #1 by the slimmest of margins. They’re undefeated, their defense has yielded no more than 7-points to opponents, and they have a powerful running game. They have not been tested yet, and that brings concern as they lost late in the season last year when they were finally tested by Suwannee. Oakleaf is on the horizon as well as Suwanee so we’ll see how they measure up to good teams. Their test won’t come this week however, with Keystone Heights upext.
2. St. Augustine (4-0)
The Jackets could easily be #1 at the mid-season mark, as they have won in every fashion. However, concern grows as starting quarterback Locklan Hewlett has missed two consecutive games due to injury. He could play if they needed him, but they’ve opted to rest him. Resting him versus Bartram was a huge gamble that paid off, but I don’t believe that’s one they were looking to take to the bank. In any case, the longer Locklan sits, the more vulnerable his dynamic team becomes, even with Dylan “Cook-out” under center cooking defenses. They need cohesion with the starters, especially seeing that the hardest part of their schedule is behind them.
3. Creekside (2-3)
I could say I told you so, but honestly there’s no reward in that. Creekside has beaten Mandarin three years in a row, so it was an obvious upset pick. Still, this Mandarin team is stacked with D-1 talent, so Creekside’s 23-22 victory was much more impressive than previous wins. The Knights have had the hardest schedule in St. John’s County during the first half of the season, and it gets no easier with Oakleaf on deck. They’ve proven they are a good team, now it’s about proving consistency.
4. Mandarin (4-1)
Every good team has moments like Mandarin had last week. Now that they’ve gotten the loss out of the way, the question is will it make them or break them. With 4-0 Lake Mary up next, we may not get that answer this week. Yet Mandarin is to good to let it get to them. Their tough schedule will only make the team tougher for the second half of the season.
5. Bolles (2-3)
The hottest team in Duval County is without question Bolles. They have found their running game along with a prolific passing attack. After taking down Trinity, they man-handled an undefeated Oakleaf team on the road. At the mid-season mark, Bolles has a chance to be 6-3 before a season finale with Berkeley Prep. What a turn-around that would be, after starting out 0-3.
6. Bartram (2-2)
Bartram fell to St. Augustine for the first time in five years. Yet there was light at the end of the tunnel, as starting quarterback Riley Trujillo returned to play. The UCF commit along with runningback Laython Biddle are back at full strength, and just in time too. Bartram’s toughest stretch begins with Fleming Island Friday. They have the toughest schedule remaining in Northeast Florida.
7. Trinity Christian (3-2)
Trinity got a bounce back win against Columbia last week on the roard. Even though this has been a tough start by the Conquerors standards, it’s been a good start by regular standards. Above .500 with losses to only Bolles and American Heritage is good by any standard. If Trinity can beat Rockledge this week, it looks like smooth sailing for them until they have a rematch with University Christian.
8. Ponte Vedra (3-1)
Ponte Vedra got the win over Menendez 32-12 last week. The Sharks used a powerful run game and defense to pummel the Pirates. It wasn’t the cleanest game offensively, maybe in-part because current Menendez Head Coach Anthony Rivers came from Ponte Vedra’s staff. Still, the Sharks have impressed overall at mid-season, and take on Flagler Palm Coast this week. This is a team that always plays them tough, and a game that’s always good.
9. Raines (3-1)
The Vikings secured a redemptive win against Trinity Catholic last week 27-26 after falling to Mainland the week before. It’s a great way to find a win against an unfamiliar opponent, setting up a game this Friday against a very familiar opponent in Riverside. The back-yard will have the bands and the food, great atmosphere making for a great game. It’s gonna be fun.
10. Riverside (4-1)
Riverside rounds out our Top 10 this week, after an impressive district win over rival Ed White. The Generals are finding ways to win through defense and the running game, while the quarterbacks are asked to manage the game. Preventing from turning the ball over is key. It’s worked thus far mid-season, and they’ll look to continue this formula against Raines Friday.
Outside looking in:
Fletcher (3-2), Oakleaf (2-1), Fleming Island (2-2), Ed White (3-2), Nease (3-2)
