It’s district battle time, as several districts will be settled tonight across Northeast Florida. Check out the Top 10 teams in Northeast Florida this week on the Duval Sports Power Rankings. We highlight which teams have a chance to cement their playoff positions, and which teams have risen on the rankings.
- Raines (7-0) — Raines rolled past Creekside 51-3 behind a physical run game; and the Vikings looked balanced on both lines while holding serve at home. Raines remain unbeaten and their downhill rushing attack coupled with incredible speed and play making through the air, make them the best team in the area. Their defensive toughness put them back at the top this week, after a few weeks at number two.
2. St. Augustine (8-0) — The Yellow Jackets stayed perfect with a 34–20 victory over Bartram Trail. Offensively they’re clicking — efficient quarterback play and playmakers in space — and St. Augustine’s depth shows late in games, which is why they remain near the top. The defense gives up lots of points, and that could be a concern in the playoffs. They can wrap up the district tonight.
3. Bolles (7-1) — Bolles’ season leaders continue to carry the offense; the stat sheets show Jaden Weatherly and the Bulldogs as central to a high-tempo attack. Bolles pair a veteran core with playmakers at WR/TE and a defense that bends but rarely breaks, but has broken opponents will the last few weeks. They can wrap up the district unbeaten against Wolfson tonight.
4. Mandarin (7-1) — The Mustangs’ balanced attack (big play passing mixed with a physical running game) helped them grind out a mid-October win against Fletcher two weeks ago. Coach Bullock’s offense is methodical — complementary special teams and red-zone efficiency are the reasons Mandarin stays inside the top five. They’ll look to win the district in a tough battle against Oakleaf. A team who upset them in the playoffs last year.
5. Oakleaf (7-1) — Oakleaf escaped a shootout with Ed White, winning 45–41 in a game defined by a breakout running performance by Fareed Coleman — the Oakleaf back had touchdown runs of 30, 9, 4, 36 and 34 yards and could not be stopped. That kind of explosive rushing makes Oakleaf dangerous every week, and this week they look for revenge against Mandarin whom they fell to in the regular season last year.
6. Nease (6-2) — Nease recorded a dominant defensive outing in a 29–0 victory over Atlantic Coast; the Panthers’ front seven controlled the line of scrimmage and the defense produced turnovers and field-position wins that the offense converted. Nease’s dominant defense after shutting out Bartram 10-0 the week before, and complementary football keeps them inside the top half of this list.
7. Bradford (8-1) — Bradford showed they can score in bunches with a 45-10 defeat of Leon. Look for Bradford’s running game and explosive special-teams plays to be the difference in close district matchup against Sante Fe tonight; their junior/senior leaders provide consistent production and the defense looks to lead them to a district title.
8. Columbia (7-1) — Columbia’s season has been steady — balanced offense, opportunistic defense. Recent results and their schedule strength keep them inside the top ten; when their top skill players get space in the second half they turn games into decisive wins. Coming off the bye, they host Clay tonight in a district battle.
9. Ed White (9) — Despite the close loss to Oakleaf (45–41), Ed White’s offense showed big-play ability and several skill players had long gainers and multiple scores. If Ed White tightens up the red-zone defense and cuts down big plays allowed, they’ll climb back up quickly. They can win the district for the second consecutive year if they defeat Riverside tonight.
10. Middleburg (7-1) — Middleburg rounds out the ten with strong individual performers and a defense that can bend and create turnovers. It was a dramatic win over Ponte Vedra that propelled Coach Ryan Wolfe’s team into the Power Rankings for the first time this year. They’ve had some signature defensive stops this stretch. The offense capitalizes on big plays, and if it becomes more consistent, they can move up in these rankings. More importantly, a win today versus Fleming Island can put them in the drivers seat for a district title.
Best of the rest: Ponte Vedra (6-2), Fleming Island (4-3), Fletcher (5-3), Beachside (5-2), Trinity (4-4)
