Northeast Florida- The wait is finally over. High school football returns to Northeast Florida on Thursday, August 13, as three Week 0 games involving teams from the area officially open the 2026 season.
While most area teams will take the field Friday night, Thursday provides an early look at several programs looking to build momentum before the regular season gets underway.
The three Thursday matchups are Ribault at Tallahassee Rickards, Ridgeview at Gainesville and Tocoi Creek at Orange Park. All three games are scheduled for 7 p.m., with Ridgeview’s game kicking off at 6 p.m.
Tocoi Creek Visits Orange Park
The matchup closest to home features Tocoi Creek visiting Orange Park.
The Toros enter the season looking to continue establishing themselves as one of Northeast Florida’s rising programs. Tocoi Creek has continued to build its football identity, and Thursday’s game provides an early test against an Orange Park team looking to make its own statement.
Tocoi is looking to rebound after a tough 2025 season with injuries. Yet players like quarterback Karter Alvarez are optimistic that the team can work hard and yield wins. Head Coach Kevin Doelling will have his team prepared to make a statement and get off to a fast start.
Tocoi’s Liam Wilson (DB) and Coady Sheils (LB) are two players to look out for with the Toros.
For both teams, Week 0 is about more than simply getting a game on the schedule. It is an opportunity to evaluate young players, build confidence and see how the team responds when the lights come on.
The Raiders have running back Austeen Mills returning who had a great spring game for Orange Park. Last year he score 3 TDs for the team. Xavier Jones was a playmaker for the Raiders last year and is a senior. So is Julian Still who led the team in interceptions last year with three.
Orange Park will get the benefit of playing at home, while Tocoi Creek will look to turn its road trip into the first win of the new season.
Ribault Begins the Journey at Rickards
The Ribault Trojans will travel west to face Tallahassee Rickards in another Thursday night match-up.
Ribault Trojans slogan for the year is ” Buy In, Lock In”, emphasizing everyone being on board with the New program and the direction.
Senior Jalen Peters is a 6’4, 225lbs athlete that is committed to Morgan State. Peters said at the Baker’s Sports High School Media Day that the Trojans are looking to shock some teams. “We have a lot of seniors, we’ve been working hard and the Trojans have something to say”, said Peters.
Breaon Bethea is another name to look out for with the Trojans. Head Coach Michael Hunter said the 5’10 athlete is “my Travis Hunter” because the senior will play all over the field.
Ribault is one of Jacksonville’s proudest football programs, and the Trojans will begin their 2026 campaign on the road. A Week 0 road game can provide an immediate test of a team’s discipline, communication and conditioning.
Rickards, meanwhile, will have home-field advantage as the two programs open their seasons.
Ridgeview Heads to Gainesville
The third Thursday game sends Ridgeview to Gainesville for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Panthers will get an early opportunity to test themselves away from home before the regular-season schedule becomes more demanding. Ridgeview’s Week 0 matchup is especially important for a program looking to develop its identity early in the season.
Jordan Mesa is now a senior as the 2-way standout looks to take the next step not only as a top player in the area, but elevating his team as one of the top in the area. Mesa last year had an interception on defense, in addition to rushing for nearly 400 yards, 6 TDs on the ground with 3 passing TDs as well. Ridgeview has a new head Coach this year in Jason Smith.
