Chasing The Title: NE Florida Flag Football Playoff Previews And Power Rankings

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Northeast Florida is looking for a state title in Flag football this year. As the regular season ended, and district tournaments conclude, focus now shifts from city and county bragging rights, to state status. In order for one of the local teams to be considered a legitime state power in Flag football, they must chase the title and catch it. Fleming Island was close last year, falling to Alonso in the Class 2A State title game, they’ll look to get back there and win it, along with these teams below in our end of season power rankings.

Fleming Island (14-0)– Senior London Jenkins leads this incredible group of players to an undefeated 14-0 season. Her blazing speed has accounted for 21 rushing TDs, 6 receiving TDs, 5 passing TD, and 13 interceptions including 2 pick 6’s. Along with her is WR Emily Poucher who has caught 4 TDs from QB Devyn Dudones who has passed for 1,135ydsyds and 8 TDS. Fleming Island recently defeated previously undefeated Paxon and already won key matchups against Stanton and Middleburg. Ed White and Clay they have defeated as they prepare for Mandarin in the first round of the playoffs. They are the cream of the crop right now.

Class 2A Playoffs: Home vs Mandarin(9-5) 4/18 @ 6:30pm

2. Clay (10-1)

The Clay Blue Devils are one of the best teams in Northeast Florida and are undefeated in their 1A classification. They have defeated top team Middleburg, but fell to a top team in Fleming Island. Kirra Dodson and Teaghan Moses lead this dynamic team into the playoffs after winning 4 in a row to end the regular season. Clay will host Westside in the first round of the playoffs.

Class 1A Playoffs: Home vs Westside (7-5) @ 7pm 4/17/24

3. Bradford (8-1)

The Tornadoes are taking down everyone in their path. With wins over every opponent in Northeast Florida, Bradford’s dominance extends from North Florida to North Central Florida. Their only loss came at the hands of Trinity Catholic out of Ocala. They swept Middleburg this year by scores of 7-6 and 7-0. They’ll look for the hat-trick against the Broncos in a first round matchup in the playoffs.

Class 1A Playoffs: 4/17/24 vs Middleburg @7pm

4. Middleburg (8-5)

The Broncos boast one of the hardest schedules in Flag Football. With Fleming Island, Bradford, Ed White, Clay, and Westside on the schedule, Middleburg still won 8 games. They’re biggest wins came against White, Westside and rival Ridgeview. A trip up against Oakleaf is one reason why this team isnt higher on the list. They will play Bradford for a third time, in hopes of finally getting the long awaited “W” on the season. This time in the playoffs.

Class 1A Playoffs: @Bradford 7pm

5. Ed White (14-3)

The Gateway Conference Champions are rocketing to higher heights riding a 7-game winning streak into the playoffs. They’ve defeated playoff teams in Raines, Stanton twice, and Fletcher for the Gateway championship. It’s been Kyra Jackson with 1,233 yards and 13 TDs passing on the season. While Tyra Pierce leads the team in rushing (1066yds 11 TDs, and 438yds 3 TDs at receiver. White will host Ridgeview (6-8) tonight at 7pm

Class 1A Playoffs: Home vs Ridgeview 7pm 4/17/24

6. Fletcher (10-3)

The Gateway Conference runners-up are next on the list, after defeating several opponents including Paxon, Mandarin, and Sandalwood along the way this season. Balling out for the Senators are Katie Rodney who catches bombs from Jasmine Cross. Cross is athletic and elusive for the Senators and Wills them to victories on the field. Fletcher gears up to face a tough opponent in 12-3 Chiles. However, the Senators are no strangers to tough opponents.

Class 2A Playoffs: Home vs Chiles (12-3) @7pm

7. Paxon (12-3)– The most physically impressive and versatile team in Northeast Florida has to be the Paxon Golden Eagles. It starts with quarterback Ansley Hicks who has passed for 752yds, 15 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs. Her lighting quickness makes it hard for defenders to grab flags rushing for 927yds. She has a tall target in Zionah Shingles who can go up top over players, as she has 6 TD receptions on offense. Sophomore Reese Holman might be the best all around player on both sides of the ball. She leads the team with 438 receiving yards,9 TDs, and on defense contributes with 78 tackles, and 7 interceptions on the season . They have seven shutouts on the season including a 63-0 win over Englewood. Raines is their first round playoff opponent. It will be their third time facing a talented opponent. A game worth watching.

Class 1A Playoffs: Home (@Englewood HS) vs Raines 7pm 4/17/24

8. Stanton ( 9-4)

The Stanton Blue Devils have won 9 out of the last 7 games, and are gaining more confidence as the playoffs begin. This team has shown that they can defeat anyone and are hard to defeat.12-7 win over Fletcher, and a 7-6 loss to Ed White. Aiyanna Smiley and Courtney Brown are leaders on the team with a lot of talent as teammates. Stanton hosts Menendez tonight at 7pm.

Class 1A Playoffs: Home vs Menéndez (10-3) at 7pm

9. Mandarin (9-5)

There’s a consensus among everyone in the area that Mandarin is a scary team. They have wins over talented teams in Atlantic Coast and Westside with close tough losses against Ed White 13-0 and Fletcher. The talented Alexis Pabon has passed for 2,023 yards and 20 Touchdowns this season. Irvieona Gantt has been her biggest target with 769 yards receiving and 7 TDs. She also has 6 interceptions on the season. Darielle Bradley has 482 receiving yards and 5 TDs.

Class 2A Playoffs: At Fleming Island 14-0

10. Westside (7-5)

The turn around team of the year has to be the Westside Wolverines. These ladies have turn around a 5-7 team to a 7-5 team with a much harder schedule this year. It’s their first winning season in school history, and their not through making history for Flag football. Destinie Fair, Jayla Fox, and Shaniya Perine-Doyle have all captained Westside on the field making spectacular plays. Westside will look for the upset against Clay in round 1 of the playoffs.

Class 1A Playoffs: @ Clay(10-1) , 7pm 4/17/24