The forecast for today might call for showers, but for several teams last Friday it was a deluge of defeats that completely wiped out our power rankings. There were five Top 10 teams that were left bogged down by bitter defeats, leaving the way open for more teams to move up as the regular season nears it’s end.
1 Riverside (7-1)- Riverside bounced back in a big way after their loss to Columbia. They had a long time to revaluate personnel and the plan going forward after a bye week. The plan worked as they marched into Trinity Christian and conquered the Conquerors in convincing fashion. Riverside is the most talented team in Northeast Florida from top to bottom, and with the win over Trinity, they know it now.
2 Bolles (6-1)- The Bulldogs left Bradford with the blues last Friday, after Buchholz defeated them 14-7. Earlier in the year we told you that Bolles normally drops one late in the season, and this was their time. Buchholz is a talented and tough team. However, history has proven that after a loss the Bulldogs refocus and reign terror down on opponents all the way to the championship game. No reason to believe that won’t pan out any differently this year.
3 Bartram Trail (7-1)- The Bears are mauling any and everyone that comes in their way. They’re on a 5 game winning streak after defeating Oakleaf. They wrapped up the district title and guaranteed playoff spot with the win. Sandalwood is up next.
4. St. Augustine (5-2)- St. Augustine moves up two spots from last week after their fifth victory of the season. One way to gauge their power rankings is performance against opponents. Against two of the best teams in the area, the Jackets played them tougher than any other team in Northeast Florida. They lost by 5 points to Bolles and 12 points to Bartram. For proper perspective, Trinity lost by 35 to Bolles, and Columbia lost by 27 to Bolles.
5. Columbia (6-3)- It was a tough loss to Madison County for the Tigers last week 28-16. The hard hitting affair did not leave Columbia unscathed however, as playmaker Tray Tolliver suffered an apparent injury. With the playoffs secured and a first round home game guaranteed as district champs, the Tigers may rest starters for their final game of the season versus Raines.
6 Trinity (6-3)- It’s not a normal occurrence to write “Trinity” and “consecutive losses” in the same sentence, but after consecutive losses to FSU and Riverside, Trinity is looking vulnerable at the moment. It starts with the defense, as they’ve given up 59 points the last two games. Fortunately for the defending 3A state champions, they have a bye week to correct mistakes before the 2A playoffs begin.
7 Raines (6-2)- It was another Northwest Classic victory for Raines last week manhandling Ribault. In their four game winning streak, the Vikings haven’t given up more than 14 points to an opponent. Defense wins championships and that’s why they are district champs. Now it’s decision time. Does Coach Masuline play his starters against Columbia and shoot for the #1 seed over Baker County? Or does he elect to rest them for the playoffs?
8 Baker County (6-2)- The Wildcats won the 2-5A district last week with a big 36-16 victory over Ed White. The Wildcats showcased talented weapons on both sides of the ball including Noah Ray who tossed and ran for a touchdown. Jaymodd Ruise who caught a long touchdown and Cam Smith who ran for two scores. Carlos Jefferson had a pick and Jamil Jones grabbed two interceptions to give him 8 total on the season, tied for the lead in the state of Florida. Baker County sits atop the 5A-1 region of the playoffs, thanks to their defense led by linebacker Camilo Rollins. They can’t get cozy, because Raines is right behind them looking to grab the #1 seed. Baker County has Suwannee next which is never an easy place to play for them.
9 Fletcher (5-3)- Fletcher became district champs and their head Coach Ciatrick Fason was inducted into the Florida-Georgia hall of fame. What a three months it’s been since being named head coach in late July. Fason has his team playoff bound in just his first year. They are playing hard and confident, something Fason embodied as a player. The Senators have Ponte Vedra this week and then Mandarin before the playoffs.
10 Hilliard (8-0)- It’s time to give credit where credit is due and it certainly goes to the Red Flashes of Hilliard. They are 8-0 and one of only two teams in the area left to have 0 in the loss column. They defeated Trenton last week 28-21, thanks to four touchdowns by Lyle Bennett. Bennett passed for two and ran for two in the win. The Red Flashes have Blountstown (6-1) next up to end the regular season. A win could put them in as the #1 seed over Chiefland.
Outside Looking in: Union County (8-0), Creekside (6-2), Ed White (5-2), Clay (6-2), Fleming Island (5-3)
