Northeast Fl- Several good teams have gotten off to poor starts this year mostly due to tough schedules and injuries. But teams like Fletcher, Creekside, Middleburg, Lake City, and First Coast, can break through this week with wins, to get rolling on winning streaks. They’re tough enough to do it.
#1. Mandarin (4-0)– Mandarin took care of business against previously undefeated Atlantic Coast. They are checking off boxes against everyone that’s stood in their way. A win over Creekside would check another box, that they can outscore a high powered offense. This is the first one they’ved faced this year.
#2. Bradford (4-0)– The Tornadoes remained undefeated scoring at least 30 points for the third straight week. The Tornadoes are on a bye this week.
#3. St. Augustine (3-0)– Quarterback Locklan Hewlett is arguably the best quarterback in Northeast Florida. He did not play last week, but St. Augustine didn’t need him for the big win over Menendez. They will need him against rival Bartram Trail, and we’ll get to see if the Jackets are at full strength to finally get a win over Bartram.
#4. Bartram Trail (2-1)– The Bears have had two weeks to prepare and lick their wounds from a close loss to Mainland. Will starting QB Riley Trujillo return tonight? Even so, the offense will roll through Laython Biddle and Bartram will force the Jackets to stop the run.
#5. Ponte Vedra (2-1)– This team is the quietest top 5 team in the area. It’s time for people to start paying attention to them. They shutout a very good team in Middleburg last week.
#6. Bolles (1-3)– What a break-through win for Bolles last week agaisnt Trinity. It quite possibly changed the trejectory of their season. They’ve had the toughest schedule in Northeast Florida, and it continues today against Oakleaf.
#7. Oakleaf (2-0)– The Knights are the kings of Clay County after their big win at home versus arch rival Fleming Island. Now, they are attempting to be the kings of Duval by coming to Bolles today and trying to defeat one of the best teams inside the loop.
#8. Trinity Christian (2-2)– It was a tough loss for Trinity Christian last week. They seemed to have the game won, and it slipped from their grasps. They can’t harp on that loss with a very desperate and winless Lake City Columbia team on deck.
#9. Creekside (1-3)– The Knights have had probably the toughest schedule in St. Johns County. Yet with every game they’ve shown that they can put up points. They have traditionally been porous on defense and that won’t change this week with Mandarin coming in. But if any team can out score Mandarin, it’s Creekside. They have the greatest chance to upset Mandarin tonight.
#10. Fletcher (2-2)– We welcome Fletcher back to the Top 10 this week after 2 straight wins over Jackson and Nease. Even with their starting quarterback injured and not playing, Coach Fason has found a way to win. A victory over rival Sandalwood today, and the Senatros will breakthrough over .500
Outside looking in:
Raines (2-1), Ed White (3-1), University Christian (2-1), Fleming Island (2-1), Riverside (3-1)
