We’ve cleared the classics and now it’s time for week 1 of the regular season. Many teams have had to reschedule games due to covid-19 protocols. There’s been a total of 30 plus games across the state rescheduled or cancelled. Locally Union County and Fort White’s game was cancelled due to several players from Fort White entering Covid-19 protocol. Baldwin had to cancel their home game versus Ed White this week due to the entire school being put on lock down. White scheduled Wakulla in their place at home. Bartram scheduled Rickards for week 1 after their game was cancelled two weeks ago. Although many games have been cancelled or rescheduled, the show must go on for the rest of the schedule and we highlight our Top 10 and their opponents this week. Finally, we pick each game this week.
Part 2
- Bolles – Bolles had an impressive showing in their kickoff classic versus a good Oakleaf team. They got 2 rushing touchdowns from Kade Frew as he returns to lead them once again. Super 11 Hayden Swartz will lead the Bulldog defense against a West Nassau rushing attack. It’s going to be a task for them to stop the Warriors running game with Connor Nobles leading the way and Wyatt Butler plowing the road. Could it be a trap game for Bolles? As the Bulldogs might be looking ahead to next week’s matchup with Columbia? Last week #2
- 2. Trinity Christian- The Conquerors began their season with a 29-29 tie with Rickards High School (Tallahassee) 5A on last Friday. Freshman Quarterback Colin Hurley started for Trinity and went 13/21, for 142 yds, TD, INT. Not bad for his first start. Xander Ross caught a TD and Cam Miller came in as a QB and ran a short TD for Trinity. Darnell Rogers also scored on a touchdown run, as Trinity showcased their stable of runners including Oklahoma commit Treyaun Webb who ran for 8 car, 62 yd, and a TD. Look for Trinity to do the same against Raines this week on the road. Control the line of scrimmage with LT Shaun Davis who came over from Ribault (He’s a Viking slayer). Run the football with Webb, Rogers, Miller, and Coach Ross will dial up a play that will catch Raines off guard in the passing game. Trinity’s defense will apply a lot of pressure to get the ball out of the hands of QB Carleton Butler Jr hand’s early. This will prevent Raines big play wide receivers from having time to get open down field. If there is a weak spot for Trinity in this game it’s their undersized secondary vs Raines big and fast receivers. Last week #1
- 3. Riverside High– The anticipated came and went with some questions answered and others still up in the air. For Riverside who is starting at quarterback? Daniel Plummer III or Cale Zarah? On defense it seems like they have all the answers they need. They come in the form of Linebacker in Devin Smith, Bryce Capers, and Gregory Washington. With Jaheim Singletary leading the General Secondary. They had a impressive 25-7 win over Bartram. Now it counts and they’re opponent Terry Parker is coming off a big win over Spruce Creek themselves. Al Gipson was a bright spot in the run game in the kickoff classic and that could be for shadowing what happens in week one. Last week #4
- 4. Bartram Trail– The Bears had a disappointing showing versus Riverside, but the Bears had a very tough week. They lost an assistant coach in Coach Kirk who passed away and was laid to rest this week. Losing a coach so close to the season can shake up a team, but I’m hearing that the team is rallying around each other and eager to play this week. Bartram picked up Rickards for week 1. So Super 11 athletes Eric Weatherly, Micah Pollard, and Segree Graham will lead Bartram into their season focused on a championship. Last Week #3
- 5. Baker County– The Wildcats got a good test in their kickoff classic from Union County who possess a deep and dominant defensive line. Noah Ray and company were able to run their way to victory, a formula Baker County usually rides to success. Jamarian Baker and Cam Smith are poised to lead them in that area. Jaymodd Ruise is a weapon they’ll definitely deploy on offense with his speed. They’ll have to contend with Bradford County and offensive weapon Daejon Shanks, and defensive weapon. Sincere Hankerson. Last Week #5
- 6. Ed White– We said the Commanders could be a surprise team this year with the potential to make lots of noise early on. Well they made the most noise this week, going into the Graveyard and defeating Zarapeth Academy and Raines with a combined 34-0 score. Runningback Christian Ellis lead them on offense with 2 touchdown runs, over 100 yards of total offense in two quarters, and an interception on the first play from scrimmage by Zarepath. Ellis debut has all eyes on the Commanders and the question now is how will the team handle the spotlight? Now that teams know they are formidable opponents, how will this young team respond? Junior quarterback Isiah Teal responded well tossing a touchdown and running for a score in the contest last week. We’ll see how everyone else responds Friday as White hosts Wakulla after their away game against Baldwin was cancelled due to Covid-19 protocol. Last Week #6
- 7. Raines– The Vikings have the game of the week in week 1 as they welcome Trinity Christian to the graveyard. Starters Kareem Burke, Quincy Burroughs, and Kryee Hammond did not play in their kickoff classic. Jaquon King looked like he was in midseason form with his speed at quarterback in the classic. Kenton Kirkland and Hammond will have to step up on defense to stifle Fred Highsmith and Xander Ross. If Raines wants any chance to win Friday, they’ll have to play stout in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Last Week #7
- 8. Terry Parker– Terry Parker unveiled new uniforms this week purchased by entertainer Lil Duval. The Braves also unveiled two quarterbacks last wee. Quarterback Roman Doles and Jaylen Pettway both got considerable snaps in their game. It was (Doles, Pettway), and 3 wide receivers (Hamilton, Williams, Smith) at Parker’s disposal to put up points this year. They will have to outscore Riverside on offense and hope that Damani Dent and the defense can get a big turnover in the game. Last Week #8
- 9. Fleming Island– Coach Springs is just out in Clay County minding his business and putting together winning season after winning season. He’s 36-12 the last 5 years. Sam Singleton gets the nod as the man this year. He very well could lead the area in rushing . This week, they have Clay and running back Alquerious Ray might have something to say about the area rushing title this year. D’Maurion Frazier, Jr. for Clay is a DB, who is 5’8″ 143lbs . He’s a special athlete who excels on special teams, wide receiver and defensive back. His DB skills will be challenged by Fleming’s Darion Domineck who is one of the best wide receivers in the area. He might provide problems for Fleming. Fleming Island’s Jhace Edward will get the nod on defense to try and stop Ray. Last Week #9
- 10. Jackson – Andrew Jackson had one of the most impressive Kickoff Classic games as a team. They defeated Mainland 14-7 and defeated Atlantic Coast 7-0. They had a great showing, running the ball with RB Fred Gaines, and passing the ball with QB Jalen Sonnier. Sonnier looked like he was a college ready quarterback. Climbing the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield, passing deep for touchdowns, passing intermediate for first downs, using his legs to scramble for first downs. When you play like that, you give your team a chance to win every game. They have Westside coming to Main St and this will feature the Antwon McCrae showcase. Westside’s playmaker flirted with the idea of transferring to Jackson over the summer. He decided to stay on the Westside and now we get to see what decision was best.
- Last Week -Unranked
Honorable Mention: Mandarin, Sandalwood, Fletcher, Columbia , St Augustine
Predictions
Trinity at Raines – Trinity
West Nassau at Bolles – Bolles
Terry Parker at Riverside- Riverside
Atlantic Coast at Mandarin- Mandarin
Sandalwood at Fletcher- Sandalwood
Englewood at Paxon – Englewood
Westside at Jackson – Jackson
Wakulla at Ed White – Ed White
Harvest Community at Christ’s Church – Christ’s Church
Wolfson at Hilliard – Hilliard
Providence at Bishop Kenny- Bishop Kenny
Episcopal at Toci Creek – Episcopal
Bishop Mc Glaughlin at St. Edwards – Bishop Mc Glaughlin
St Johns Country Day at Hope Christian – St Johns Country Day
Stanton at Middleburg – Middleburg
Fernandina at Keystone – Fernandina
Matanzas at Menendez –Menendez
Eagles View at St Joseph- Eagles View
Yulee at Hawthorne- Hawthorne
Pine Ridge at Flagler Palm Coast – Flager Palm Coast
Bishop Snyder at St Edwards – Bishop Snyder
Lake Weir at Palatka- Palatka
Buchhholz at Trinity Catholic – Buchholz
Rickards at Bartram- Rickards
Nease at Ponte Vedra – Ponte Vedra
Clay at Fleming Island- Fleming – Fleming Island
Baker Co. at Bradford Co.- Baker Co.
St Augustine at Dunnellon – Dunnellon
American Heritage (Delray Beach) at Columbia- Columbia
Ft White at Union (cancelled) –
Suwannee at Dixie –Suwannee
University Christian at Booker T Washington (Pensacola) – Booker T
Dakota Ridge vs First Coast (Kissimmee FL)- Dakota Ridge
Saturday Games
Orange Park at Oakleaf – Oakleaf
Ribault at Creekside – Creekside
