Week 1 is in the books, and there were big wins and big upsets that affected the Power Rankings for Week 2. We are now ready for week 2, and Beachside already kicked off the week with a 65-0 shutout of Englewood. Check out the Top 10 teams in Northeast Florida, and why they moved up or down in Week 2 Power Rankings.
1. Raines Vikings (0-0)
- Coach: Donovan Masline
- Week 1: Game canceled (bye week). Rank #1
- Why #1: Despite not playing, Raines stays at the top thanks to depth, speed, and championship pedigree. Timothy Cole (QB) and Ziyon Butler and Kelvin Brown Jr. headline an offense that can score quickly. With Masline’s defense, the Vikings remain the team to beat in Duval, they get to show it versus Sandalwood week 2.
2. Bolles Bulldogs (1-0)
- Coach: Matt Toblin
- Week 1: Defeated Monarch (Ft. Lauderdale) 34–15. Rank #2
- Stars: RB Xander Edwards (2 TDs), RB Jaden Weatherly (2 TDs), WR Naeem Burroughs (TD)(Clemson commit).
- Why Here: Bolles showcased a bruising running game led by Edwards and Weatherly on offense and a punishing O-line. Beating a South Florida opponent proves this team is built for another deep playoff push.
3. Mandarin Mustangs (1-0)
- Coach: Toby Bullock
- Week 1: Defeated Creekside 42–20. Rank #5
- Stars: Freshman Brysen Wright (INT return 100 yards + TD), QB Knox Annis (poised pocket passer).
- Why Here: Mandarin’s big-play ability makes them dangerous. The opportunistic defense flips field position and momentum, and Wright looks like one of the best young talents in the area. They face Atlantic Coast week 2.
4. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (1-0)
- Coach: Brian Braddock
- Week 1: Crushed rival Palatka 41–0. Rank #4
- Stars: WR Somourian Wingo (elite speed), QB Brenton James and RB Trendell Anderson (ground game leader).
- Why Here: A shutout in the rivalry opener shows St. Augustine’s defense is for real. Combine that with explosive play makers like Julio Santiago who had 106 yards receiving and a TD, and the Jackets will sting anyone in their way.
5. Bradford Tornadoes (1-0)
- Coach: Jamie Rodgers
- Week 1: Beat Baker County 24–0. Unranked
- Stars: QB Cy Cubbedge, RB Jy’quez Cason
- Why Here: Defense, defense, defense. Bradford has one of the most physical defenses in the state again and just delivered a Week 1 shutout over Baker County. Justin Hall caught an interception and Elijah Lawrence caught a TD in the game. The Tornadoes are going to be a tough out all season once again, and their impressive win leaped them into the power rankings and into the Top 5.
6. Nease Panthers (1-0)
- Coach: Collin Drafts
- Week 1: Beat Ponte Vedra 38–28.
- Stars: QB Aiden Phifer (229 yards passing 2 TDs), WR Vernon Stephens (TD), RB Enrique Ordoñez
- Why Here: Nease outlasted their county rival in a shootout. Drafts’ high-powered spread attack jumped out early and looks sharp. Ordonez gives them a game-changing playmaker at RB as he rushed for 193 yards and a TD. They face Creekside tonight.
Rank week 1- #6
7. Ed White Commanders (1-0)
- Coach: Lawrence Johnson
- Week 1: Beat Trinity Christian 45–28. Rank #10
- Stars: RB Marion Lagaurree (power back), QB King Boylston ( 2 Rushing TDs)
- Why Here: Statement win. Ed White hadn’t beaten Trinity ever, but a 25–7 second-half surge sealed it. This team has speed on defense Jacquari Parks (pick 6) Julian Holt (Kickoff Return and a punishing ground game. This team shocked the state with the win, and shot up two spots on the power rankings. Bye Week 2.
8. Columbia Tigers (1-0)
- Coach: Brian Allen
- Week 1: Beat rival Suwannee 42–6 (kept the Old Oaken Bucket). Rank #8
- Stars: QB Xavier Collins (321yds passing 3 passing TDs, 2 Rushing TDs), WR Kyren Caldwell, WR Antonio Days
- Why Here: Columbia dominated a rivalry game in every phase. The Tigers’ explosive air attack led by Collins saw two receivers go over 100-yards, 2 TDs and looks strong. The defense allowed just six points and had 4 sacks. Classic Lake City toughness. They have a tougher test against Coffee County (Ga) (1-1) this week.
9. Oakleaf Knights (1-0)
- Coach: Christopher Foy
- Week 1: Beat Riverside 23–14. Rank #3
- Stars: QB Jack McKissock, WR Trace Burney.
- Why Here: Oakleaf is efficient and disciplined. The offense can stretch the field, and the defense made timely stops to fend off a tough Riverside squad. Without their starting running back the Jackets grounded it out with Cornell Moses Jr who filled in rushing for 124 yards. They fall from #3 only because they were without Fareed Coleman who is a dynamic playmaker for them, and seemed to struggle without him against an underwhelming Riverside team.
10. Fletcher Senators (1-0)
- Coach: Ciatrick Fason
- Week 1: Beat Ribault 27–13 Rank #9
- Stars: RB Jahmyri Jennings DB Elijah Keys
- Why Here: Fletcher’s ground game and stingy defense earned them a solid opening win. Jennings scored twice on the ground and WR Diondre Smith scored twice through the air. The Senators aren’t flashy, but they’re tough and can grind out games thanks in part to their defense where Keys led the way with an incredible 3 interceptions!
Best Of The Rest: Fleming Island (1-0), University Christian (1-0), Bishop Kenny (0-0), Impact Christian Academy (1-0), Middleburg (1-0)
Featured Image by Jaxson Visuals
