With Halloween coming up, we look at who the scariest teams in Northeast Florida. Our Top 10 power rankings for week 10 as we preview games starting tonight.
#1. Bradford (8-0)
Bradford’s 42-0 shutout of Lecanto is their third of the year. They have 7-1 Palatka at home Friday. What makes them scary? Defense! It’s a nightmare on 301 in Starke for any team that faces them. They’ve only given up 39 points all season.
#2. St. Augustine (7-0)
The Yellowjacket’s secured their first shutout of the season. They also put up 50 points for the first time this season. They are at Clay on Friday. What makes them scary? Elite Skill Players makeup their team, as their backup QB, #2 wide out and #3 receiver would be number 1’s on other team’s rosters.
#3. Bartram Trail (4-4)
Bartram had a bye and takes on 2-5 Oakleaf Friday. What makes them scary? Run Game, is unmatched and unequivocally the best in Northeast Florida.
#4. Ponte Vedra (7-1)
The Sharks showed that they can shut teams out as well, blanking Orange Park 35-0. They face a very good Nease team which will be the game of the week on Friday. What makes them scary? Balance on both sides of the ball, makes them hard to predict and they know it.
5. Creekside (4-4)
Creekside survived a scare at home last week against a very talented Fleming Island team, coming back to defeat them 49-48. The Knights face a 4-4 Atlantic Coast team today on the road. The Stingrays played Raines close, but they will have to score more points to stay with the Knights. What makes them scary? The Hurry up offense. Simply put, its unstoppable.
6. Mandarin (6-2)
The Mustangs are looking to wrap up the district tonight versus a winless Sandalwood, after a bye week. What makes them scary? Top recruited talent, across the board. They’re just better at almost every position than you.
7. Fletcher (6-2)
Fletcher moves up one spot after their bye week. They face First Coast Thursday which will be a big contest for both teams. What makes them scary? Preserving Playmakers. They’re never out of a game, so you can never sleep on the senior leaders who make plays for 60 minutes.
8. Raines (7-1)
Raines falls one spot this week, after playing Atlantic Coast close 29-22. The Stingrays are getting better as the year goes on, but Raines should’ve won this one convincingly. Raines must not have a let down against 3-5 Jackson. What makes them scary? Size up front on offense and defense. A focused Raines team should dominate every game.
9. Riverside (7-2)
The Generals completely dominated Sandalwood 37-7. This team may be the scariest in the entire area the way they are playing of late. Noone want’s to play them right now. What makes them scary? Hunger and Aggression. Every player on the team is hungry for success and feels looked over and disrespected, that creates aggression.
10. Nease (5-3)
Nease has had a week to prepare for this big matchup against Ponte Vedra Friday. Both teams are playing great football right now, and both teams want the bragging rights as neighboring schools. Should be a good one. What makes them scary? Confidence, something the team is playing with more after winning 3 out of their last 4 games.
Outside Looking In:
Trinity Christian (5-3), Columbia (3-4), Bolles (4-4), Baker County (4-3), Middleburg (4-4)
