- Nease (5-0) – The Panthers added another impressive victory on Monday, defeating North Central Florida power Buchholz 20-17 in overtime. The Bobcats came into that game with wins over Eastside, Vanguard, and Vero Beach, all teams with winning records. Of all the teams in the area, Nease has played the hardest schedule and won every game. No other team can boast that claim. Nease has a much deserved bye this week. Quarterback Nate Harry has been exceptional for them this year.
2. Bradford (5-0)- The Tornadoes welcome Palatka to Starke. The Panthers are in trouble as Bradford held Mandarin to 13 points when they were averaging 49 points a game. No team has scored more than 14 points against the best defense in the state. Palatka was held scoreless against Newberry 32-0. The reason Bradford was jumped by Nease is strength of schedule. They’re wins are consistent, but they must become more explosive on offense, to be ready for the playoffs and state championship opponents. Jeremiah McKenzie is Mr Everything for them.
3. Raines (5-0)- It’s Northwest Classic time and the way it’s looking Raines is going to roll. Last week they put 62-points on Riverside, showing that they can score with any team. One concern for me is they allowed 42 points on defense. You cannot win a championship with a defense giving up that many points. They will have to shore that up. Timothy Cole has added another dimension to the Raines offense that cant be stopped right now.
4. Mandarin (3-2)- The Mustangs come off the bye weekend and it came at the best time. Some key starters who were banged up were able to rest, heal and may return this week versus Rockledge. Hylton Drake Stubbs, a 5-star safety Miami commit has made plays in every game.
5. Bolles (4-1)- The Bulldogs are playing some of the best football in the area right now. They have gained confidence and an identity in the process. It’s an identity that should’ve been established before the season starts. Use both of their starting running-backs at the same time to create mismatches on defense in the run game, but also in the passing game. They are home for Columbia. Wide Receiver Naeem Burroughs is on a tear right now.
6. St. Augustine (4-1)- St. Augustine rebounded well from their loss against Nease with an impressive district win over Columbia. That was their hardest district opponent as Ridgeview, and Clay remain. Yet, district champion isn’t their goal. A return to the state championship and winning is. They are on a bye today. Trendell Anderson is one of the leading rushers in the state in touchdowns.
7. Oakleaf (4-2)- Oakleaf had a lot of frustration to get out, and they took it out on Fletcher, defeating them 40-12 to start district play. They have a bye this week, before taking on another district opponent First Coast. Chris Foy II has powered an impressive running game and is second in rushing in NE Florida.
8. Baker County (3-2)- The Wildcats find themselves in an interesting district. District 3A-2 has them, Wakulla, Suwannee, and Godby. All teams down I-10 and two in the big bend area of Tallahassee. They didn’t start district play the way they wanted, falling to Godby 39-34. A game in which they had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter 27-17. They may not be the best team in their I-10 corridor district, but seeing that their closer to Northeast Florida, they’re clearly a Top 10 team here. Linebacker Seth Chestnut leads them in tackles and interceptions.
9. Riverside (3-3)- It’s rare that a team get’s into the Top 10 after a loss, but Riverside seems to finally be living up to their preseason expectations. This team was predicted to be Top 5 in the area, but a slow start with unimpressive showings on the field dropped them off the list. Even in losses, Riverside put up 35 on St. Augustine, and 42 on Raines. They have so much “potential” but have yet to put a complete game together. Maybe they start tonight at home versus Trinity. Tae’Shaun Gelsey has been an unstoppable monster at wide receiver.
10. Middleburg (6-0)– One of the few teams still undefeated in Northeast Florida, Middleburg has won the games that they were supposed to and won the games that were toss ups. Although they haven’t reached the toughest part of their schedule, they’re consistency is impressive and hard to do in high school football. They have a bye this week. Carson Stewart has been incredibly efficient at quarterback.
Outside Looking In: Trinity (3-2), Fleming Island(3-2), Creekside (2-3), Beachside (4-1), Ponte Vedra (4-2)
