- Nease (5-0)- Nease may have to dust off some rust after not playing since September 30th. That game was an overtime dog fight against Buchholz where the Panthers won 20-17. No team can boast a record the record against opponents like them. Now Atlantic Coast is on deck this week, a team that put up 37 against Creekside, so they’ve proven they can score. Nease most likely will have to battle themselves after the long break. They remain on top of the power rankings this week.
2. Raines (6-0)- Raines moves up the rankings thanks to a Bradford loss. The Vikings will get their first test in several weeks as they visit Creekside tonight. It will be their first battle outside the 295 beltway of Duval County this year. It’s highly unlikely that will make a difference, as Raines is built to win anywhere, including the state championship. They may be the most championship ready team this year in Northeast Florida. Still, no team has actually put them in a dog fight. Creekside has that ability.
3. St. Augustine (5-1)- The battle between St. Augustine and Bartram Trail has always been a dog fight. The outcome has swung back and forth the last few years. Bartram went 12-1 in 2022 and defeated St Augustine 59-37. Last year, St. Augustine went 14-1 and defeated Bartram 34-31 without their starting quarterback. Both teams were undefeated when facing each other, but that’s not the case this year. This year, both have already suffered losses. So for St. Augustine, they will not be caught by surprise, and will be focused on defeating their county rival. They move up 3 spots from last week after putting Clay on a running clock in the first quarter. That’s how a Top team in Northeast Florida is supposed to handle business.
4. Bradford (6-1)- Speaking of losses, Bradford suffered their first loss of the season after falling to Newberry at Newberry 21-7. The Tornadoes worst fears came true. They lost their first game on the road since week 1. They turned the ball over, and they got down early. A defensive led team can’t fall behind. Luckily for Bradford they have a winless Leon (0-7) on deck to work on their offense. They all 2 spots from last week.
5. Mandarin (5-2)- The Mustangs have morphed into a different team. Run the football, pick to take a big shot in the passing game, and play defense. That formula has worked but the scores have looked different. They beat Creekside 57-13 in week 1, but defeated First Coast 27-6, and Rockledge 24-7. It’s interesting to see how they look against Fletcher(4-3). Mandarin moves down one spot.
6. Bolles (6-1)- Bolles has won 6 straight games in a row after losing week 1. They are playing with lots of confidence, and seem to be in a groove right now. A date with Riverside is tonight, an interesting game that may find Bolles in a shootout like they were against Oakleaf. The Bulldogs are used to dogfights though, and when the game is on the line they have arguably the best wide receiver in the area to rely on in Naeem Burroughs. Bolles moves down one spot.
7. Oakleaf (5-2)- As for Oakleaf, the Knights have an interesting game themselves against Ed White. The Commanders haven’t lost to a team in Northeast Florida since week 1. Oakleaf hasn’t lost at home all season. Something will have to give in this Jacksonville westside battle. They remain at 7.
8. Riverside (5-3)- The Generals have looked better in many phases of the game lately. They held Englewood to just 6 points, and on offense they have put up at least 4 touchdowns in 6 of 8 games this year. This will be a close game and Riverside has proven they are fit for the fight and can win close ones, like they did against Trinity earlier in the year. In that game they leaved on Tae’Shaun Gelsey and the 4-star Florida Gator commit delivered. They remain at 8.
9. Creekside (4-3)- The Knights move up one spot. They have been playing the best football in Northeast Florida of late. They are on a 4-game winning streak and seemed to be getting better as the rounds go longer like a championship prize fighter. They get arguably the best team in Northeast Florida (Raines) at home tonight. If the Knights can pull off an upset, it will send shock waves around the area. However, Bolles tried, Riverside tried, and Trinity tried, but they all were knocked out. Question is, is Creekside ready of this heavy weight fight?
10. Fleming Island (4-3)- Fleming Island enters the Top 10 for the first time this year. New head coach Derek Chipoletti has done a masterful job of keeping the team focused, and moving forward toward the season. And what a season it’s been. After Monday’s contest against upstart Beachside, the Golden Eagles are 3-0 in the district. They’re in the driver seat for a district championship. Yet a non-district battle against Terry Parker who has won 3-straight games in on the horizon. That game will feature two of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks in the area Cibastian Broughton of Fleming Island and Tony Kennedy of Terry Parker. Might be a fight to the finish.
Trinity Christian (4-3), Baker County (4-2), Middleburg (6-1), Ponte Vedra (5-2), Ed White (5-2)
