Northeast Florida- Last week, 3 of the Top 10 teams in our Power Rankings lost creating lots of movement. Even the teams that didn’t lose games last week, learned lessons from previous losses to aide them to victory. No matter if you lose a game, or you lose a player, football is about making adjustments from the losses to become better. Better today, better tonight, better tomorrow. Check out the Top 10 teams in Northeast Florida as we recap their player performances, and preview their matchups in week 5.
1. Trinity Christian (4-0)- Trinity enacted it’s revenge on Bolles last week 27-14. They played without several starters including starting DB Jaykob Jones. But sometimes, you have to lose someone to win the confidnece of others, and several others on the defense stepped up last week holding Bolles scoreless in the first half. Junior defensive back Tre Stewart made several key tackles in open space, and Senior defensive end Tomarion McCray stepped up big with 1.5 sacks and 5 tackles. Now they get several starters back in time for a big test against Columbia (3-2), who just blanked Madison County 21-0. The Tigers seemed to have found their niche, and Trinity is coming off a big emotional win. This could get interesting.
2. Ed White (3-1)– Ed White shutout Terry Parker 37-0 in a revenge game from last year where Ed White won their game against the Braves on the field (30-27), but was forced to forfeit as Tery Parker raised issue about an ineligable JV player who moved up to varsity. That forfeiture resulted in a loss, which fueled the 2022 edition of the Commanders, who had this game circled. The player with the biggest memory was Senior Davaughn Patterson, who rushed for 99-yards and a TD, while also adding 11 tackles and a pick 6 exlcamation mark on the win. Wide Receiver Gabriel Garmon remembered as well, going for 69-yards receiving and a touchdown in the game. New comer linebacker Lawrence Neloms registered 14 tackles (10 solo) in the dominating defensive performance. Now White has another revenge game circled, and it’s this week versus Riverside (2-2) who comes off a 28-26 loss to First Coast (2-1). And for all intents and purposes, it’s for the district 2M-3 title.
3. Jackson (4-0)– After losing to Brunswick in their kickoff classic, Jackson has realed off 4 straight victories. The loss seemingly gave them confidence in knowing they can play with a very good team. The Tigers defeated Spruce Creek 35-6 in their home opener last week. Quarterback King Johnson passed for 318 yard and tossed 3 touchdowns. J’Nethen Jackson caught five balls for 100-yards and two touchdowns in the game. Linebacker Grayson Howard is on a tear, tallying 21 tackles in the game. He has 93 tackles in 4 games. Jackson gave head coach Chris Foy an early birthday gift, and the team gets to celebrate this week on their bye, before welcoming Ribault (3-1).
4. University Christian (4-0)– A 56-8 shellacking of Christ’s Church has UC riding sky high and undefeated. Brady Wright rushed for 2 touchdowns, Jenoa Alford caught a long touchdown, and Junior Luke Thomas led the team with 7 tackles and an interception. University Christian lost several key players to injury last year, which has supremely prepared depth wise this year. It’s a big reason for their wins on the field. UC travels back to Georgia to face Rabun-Gap Nacoochee (4-1) this week in hopes of remaining undefeated.
5. Bartram (4-0) After their dominating 24-7 victory over previously undefeated Lincoln (3-1) last Thursday, the Bears moved up four spots this week. Senior defensive tackle Arion Stith closed the game out with a pick-6 for Bartram, but he wasn’t alone in the pick party. Senior Sharif Denson picked off a pass, and Jack McCabe also picked off the Trojans, as the Bear’s defense tallied 3 interceptions on the night. It’s rivalry week now, as the Bears welcome St. Augustine (2-2) down US-16. The Bears have won the last four meetings after never beating their rival in 19 attempts. Those losses have motivated Bartram to start their own winning streak. Can they make it 5 in a row tonight?
6. Bradford (3-0) Another game and another shut-out for Bradford, this time blanking (2-1) Eastside 28-0. The Torandoes haven’t allowed a point on defense all season! Not 1-point! A 35-0 win over Baldwin, a 21-0 win over Middleburg (before the game was post-poned due to weather), and then last week versus Eastside. It was an emotional game against Eastside as the rivals were flagged several times in the first quarter. Quarterback Jeremiah McKenzie would score on a quarterback power up the middle. He’d also toss a touchdown in the contest. Manny Covey ran for two second-half touchdowns as well. Munroe (2-1) comes to town tonight, which will be their toughest test of the year.
7. Creekside (3-1)– It was a tale of two halves for Creekside in their game versus Buchholz. Running back Sean Ashenfelder’s 1-yard keeper was his second rushing TD of the first half, but the Knights still trailed Buchholz 34-14. At halftime, Coach Sean McIntyre and his staff made adjustments and the offense exploaded. Wilson Edwards passed for 261 yards and 3 TDs, and added a rushing touchdown as well. But it wasn’t enough as they fell to who I believe is the best team in the region (Buchholz) 48-41. Creekside has put up at least 40 points on three opponents already this season. They’ve also given up 40 points to two opponents on defense this year. Their defense has to play better, especially with high powered Mandarin (3-1) on deck. Their loss to Buchholz actually won them respect from me, and I’m sure other coaches in this region. They fought till the end, and never gave up on both sides of the ball.
8. Bolles (2-2)– It’s been a tough two weeks for Bolles after losses to Brunswick and Trinity. But in my opinion, the young Bulldogs are exactly where they want to be. Sometimes an early loss can be beneficial for the long season to correct areas that need fixing. These areas were identified by me the last two week’s before their matchups, so the coaches are certainly aware of these areas too. Bolles has enough time to figure out the answer before it’s too late. Quarterback Ethan Drumm has proven that he can come in and lead the team in case starting QB DJ Moore goes down again. They can also lean on sophomores Emmett Grzebin and Ty Neal who rushed for 162 yards and 2 TDs vs Trinity. I’d like to see them involve 6 foot 6 Senior tight end Connor Cox (South Carolina commit) more in their offense. This takes pessure off their young receivers. Yes the yfell from #2 last week, but they’re still a Top 10 team who’ve played a tough schedule. Benedictine (Ga) (2-2) travels to Bolles tonight.
9. Mandarin (3-1) – It’s gonna be a shoot-out tonight at the Mandarin Corral as Creekside comes in for a big matchup of high powered offenses. Mandarin’s Tramell Jones has passed for 715 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Jaime Ffrench has caught 4 TDs on 314-yards receving. Tiant Wyche has rushed for 4 touchdowns on the season as well. The Mustangs defense shut-out Atlantic Coast 30-0 last week, so they are hitting a groove at the right time. Calvin Roebuck (LB) and Jerimy Upson (S) registered 13 tackles each in the game, while Grant Pettigrew (DE) and Phillip Makaskaus (DT) registered 2 sacks each. The defense that makes the play late in this game will win the game for their team..
10. Oakleaf (3-1) – We welcome a brand new team to the Top 10 this week, after their big win over rival and previously #7 ranked Fleming Island 26-20. The Knights got big efforts on both sides of the ball as quarterback Drew Ammon passed for 241 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore Carlos Witherup went for 118 yards receving and 2 TDs, while senior running back Devin Outlaw scored on the ground as well. On defense, sophomore Drake Stubbs led the team with 12 tackles, and wide receiver Taylor Bradshaw showed his skills on defense picking off 2 passes. Jordan Nesby also registered an interception in the game, along with 2 sacks from Da’Jon Brown. Oakleaf is tied for tops in district 4S-3, but there’s still a long way to go in this extrmemly tough district.
Outside Looking In: Raines (2-1), Union County (2-1), Baldwin (3-1), Bishop Kenny (4-0), Episcopal (3-0),
