St. Augustine Fl-In a showdown of two of Northeast Florida’s top programs, it was clear Mandarin versus St. Augustine would bring physicality, playoff-type energy and the kind of finish befitting two marquee fixtures. Mandarin, went into the game with momentum on a 4-game winning streak. St. Augustine likewise had high expectations with an unbeaten record at 9-0, and home-field advantage. The two teams wouldn’t disappoint.
Anticipation was high to see Mandarin’s 5-Star Brysen Wright and St. Augustine’s 4-Star Somourian Wingo (Miami commit) going head to head at wide receiver, yet early on it was the running backs who took center stage.
Who else but @Quezefoster fir the TD mandarin up 7-0 @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/FeRqqFeNGP
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 30, 2025
In the first quarter, Mandarin set the tone when senior running back Shaunqueze Foster powered ahead for a 7-yard touchdown run to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead. Foster finished the regular season with 906 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.
St. Augustine answered through their ground game, as senior back Nate Preston bulldozed in to tie the game 7-7. Preston has been a positive feature in the pair of runners St. Augustine likes to use. Trendell Anderson has 6 touchdowns on the season for the Jackets as well.
St Aug Answers 7-7 5:29 to go in the 1st quarter @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/HbLQfHTIbH
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 30, 2025
Mandarin would decide to strike through the air: quarterback Knox Annis connected with senior wide-out Tian Wyche on a screen pass that turned into a 48-yard touchdown, putting Mandarin ahead 14-7. It’s been a great season for Wyche, who led the Mustangs in receiving touchdowns with 10 on the season.
@that_boy_tian takes it to the house!!! 14-7 Mustangs @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/CwCw9VSR0H
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 30, 2025
Late in the first half, St. Augustine tied it when quarterback Brenton James found Miami-commit wide receiver Somourian Wingo for a 17-yard score, making it 14-14. The play electrified the home crowd, and gave those who came to see some of the best wide receivers in the area something to talk about. Fittingly Wingo, the senior would strike first, and lead his team into halftime.
@_somourianwingo with a 8yd TD reception we are tied 14-14 with 11.2 seconds to go before halftime @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/gZYNywqlCf
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 31, 2025
The third quarter saw defenses tighten and big plays grow scarce; it wouldn’t be until the fourth quarter that the decisive momentum swung. St. Augustine would score yet again, with Wingo hauling in a 33-yard touchdown pass from James to take the lead in the game 21-14 with just over ten minutes to play. Brenton James once again tossed multiple touchdowns in a game, his 10th time doing so this year. A year that saw him pass for 2,184 yards and 27 passing TDs.
@_somourianwingo breaks the tie and takes it to the house. Saint Augustine leads Mandarin. 21-14 10:20 left in the game @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/XaELLClzMQ
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 31, 2025
Mandarin with plenty of time left, manufactured a great drive as Head Coach Toby Bullock put the ball in the hands of his quarterback. Sustaining a 14-play drive which drained the clock, Annis ended it with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Wyche, again. That tied the game again at 21-21.
Knox Annis passed for 1,866 yards, 18 passing touchdowns on the season. Wright led all receivers with 867 yards receiving. The talented tandem still have two more years together at Mandarin after their post season run concludes. A petrifying thought for opposing defenses.
Both teams proved to have high powered offenses, but what separates Mandarin and St. Augustine is defense. The Jackets had given up at least 3 touchdowns in five games this year prior to their game against Mandarin. Mandarin’s three scores in the contest made that six games. So with 3:53 to go, Mandarin was confident that they could move the ball on the Jackets late.
In the final minutes, the Mustangs took over as Brysen Wright made his impact felt. Experiencing double and triple teams all year, the sophomore sensation still has 867 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. He also has 3 pick 6’s and 2 punt return touchdowns on the year. So when St. Augustine chose to kick it to him, everyone in the stadium held their breath.
Punting to @bfye904 it's never a good idea especially in a tie ball game with four minutes to go @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/MD35WPaE26
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 31, 2025
Wright would field the punt and race around the left sideline setting Mandarin up in great field position in Jackets territory. A 23-yard go-ahead touchdown run by Foster, his second of the game gave Mandarin a 27-21 lead.
Speaking of defenses, it would be Mandarin’s defense turn to show what they were about. The Mustang defense held firm, shutting down a final St. Augustine push with an interception by Israel Ratliff on a tipped pass. The big defensive play would seal the win.
The captain come thru in the clutch #0 Izzy Ratliff with the interception off batted ball. Mandarin takes over first and 10 from the 35 yard line up p 27-21 3:31 left @DuvalSports @biggameJames_36 pic.twitter.com/noQ3rQiSTR
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) October 31, 2025
Individual performances stood out. Foster finished with 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including that decisive run. Wyche caught four passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, proving his big-play capability. On the Jackets’ side, Wingo caught four passes for 90 yards and two scores, while James threw for 192 yards.
For St. Augustine (9-1), the sting of a first loss is immediate. Their previously unbeaten season ends at 9-1, and their path to the top seed in the region now appears more complicated. They’ll regroup in hopes of starting another streak to a 4A title.
Mandarin, now 9-1 themselves, leaves no doubt about their place in Northeast Florida, and their playoff aspirations. They have tremendous momentum heading into the postseason after two consecutive wins over Oakleaf (31-14), and now St. Augustine (27-21). They’ve played the hardest schedule, and no team wants to see them right now.
