Week 1 brought exactly what high school football fans expected: statement wins, upsets and several teams making a strong case to move up the Northeast Florida football ladder.
The biggest change in the Duval Sports D1 Top 25 is at the top. Mandarin moves from No. 3 to No. 1 after opening the season with a 38-21 victory over McArthur (Broward County). Meanwhile, defending state champion Raines drops to No. 2 despite defeating Oakleaf 21-7. The Vikings remain one of the area’s best teams, but Mandarin’s Week 1 performance earns the Mustangs the top spot.
There were also major moves by Columbia, Creekside and University Christian, while several teams outside the previous Top 25 crashed the rankings.
1. Mandarin Mustangs — Previous: No. 3 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 2
Mandarin makes the biggest move of the week, jumping two spots to No. 1 after defeating McArthur 38-21.Â
The Mustangs looked sharp on both sides of the football and showed why they entered the season with championship expectations. Brysen Wright remains one of the biggest names in Northeast Florida, while Miami quarterback commit Knox Annis gives Mandarin a major weapon behind center.
Mandarin rose to the challenge at bottom of the map, and for that, they move up to #1. Shaunqueze Foster Jr, Knox Annis and Wright stole the show, and made fans and followers. As a public school in Jacksonville that’s very impressive.
2. Raines Vikings — Previous: No. 1 | Record: 1-0 ⬇️ 1
Raines knows a little something about going South and coming back with hardware and rings. The Vikings slide one spot, but there is no panic in Viking Country.
The defending Class 3A state champions opened the season with a 21-7 victory over Oakleaf, using their defense to control the game.Â
Sophomore quarterback Sa’mon Ellison-Morgan showed poise in his first major test, while Johdeem Jones, Troy Butler and the Raines defensive unit made life difficult for Oakleaf.
Raines remains the team everyone is chasing even though they fell from no fault of their own.
3. Ed White Commanders — Previous: No. 4 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 1
Ed White climbs into the Top 3 following a thrilling 42-40 overtime victory over Trinity Christian.
The Commanders showed offensive firepower and toughness in a game that could become one of the season’s most important wins. King Boylston, and Rontrez Loyd lead an offense capable of putting points on the board quickly.
Ed White now has an enormous matchup coming against Raines on Sept. 4.
4. Columbia Tigers — Previous: No. 10 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 6
Columbia is the week’s biggest mover after stunning Bolles 20-19.
The Tigers jumped six spots because of the quality of the victory. Beating Bolles on the road is a major statement, especially considering Bolles entered the season ranked among the region’s top teams.
Amari Green tossed two touchdown passes in the game. Jerome Horne rushed for 127 yards in the game, Kyren Caldwell had 106yds receiving and a TD. Jaylen Underwood had 3 sacks and Mikel Morgan had 2 sacks as Columbia has playmakers on both sides of the ball.
The Tigers have officially entered the championship conversation.
5. Bradford Tornadoes — Previous: No. 6 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 1
Bradford continues to look like one of the most physical teams in Northeast Florida.
The Tornadoes destroyed West Port 65-0 in Week 1.
That performance moves Bradford into the Top 5. Cy Cubbedge 2 passing TDs, and Iyen Addison 133yds rushing and 3 TDs headline a team that can dominate games with physical football.
6. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets — Previous: No. 8 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 2
St. Augustine jumps two spots after crushing Palatka 49-0.
The Yellow Jackets looked every bit like a contender and will get an immediate opportunity to prove it when Nease comes to town.
Durell Preston Jr. rushed for 2 TDs, Cash Downey threw for 2 and the Yellow Jackets defense led by Mason Bean’s pick and tackles are players and units to watch.
7. University Christian Christians — Previous: No. 14 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 7
University Christian is one of the week’s biggest winners.
The Christians jumped seven spots after going on the road and defeating Ponte Vedra 31-29 on a late field goal.
That is exactly the type of win that changes the perception of a team. UC has a long championship tradition and once again looks capable of making noise in the postseason.
8. Oakleaf Knights — Previous: No. 5 | Record: 0-1 ⬇️ 3
Oakleaf falls three spots after losing to Raines 21-7.
The Knights’ defense kept the game competitive for much of the night, with Isaiah Pierre Val, Caleb Fields, Nigel McClendon and Mason Thomas creating problems for the Raines offense.
Despite the loss, Oakleaf remains a Top 10 team.
9. Bolles Bulldogs — Previous: No. 2 | Record: 0-1 ⬇️ 7
Bolles takes the biggest fall of the week after losing to Columbia 20-19.
The Bulldogs entered the season with state championship expectations and still have plenty of talent. Xander Edwards and https://www.duvalsports.com/?sp_player=asher-ghiotoAsher Ghioto remain two of the region’s premier players. The big man in the middle Anson Bivins can block out the sun and stop the run,
However, a loss at home to Columbia cannot be ignored.
10. Creekside Knights — Previous: No. 16 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 6
Creekside makes one of the biggest jumps in the rankings after knocking off Nease 21-14.
Quarterback Rozzi Sperry helped lead the Knights to the upset, and Creekside now has one of the most impressive wins of Week 1. Blake Weeks rushed for 2 TDs.
The Knights have earned their place in the Top 10.
11. Trinity Christian Conquerors — Previous: No. 11 | Record: 0-1
Trinity remains at No. 11 despite its heartbreaking 42-40 overtime loss to Ed White.
The Conquerors showed they can score with anyone. The challenge now is cleaning up the defensive mistakes and finishing games.
12. Baker County Wildcats — Previous: No. 13 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 1
Baker County defeated Clay 31-19 in Week 1.
The Wildcats move up one spot and look like a team capable of making a run at the postseason.
13. Beachside Barracudas — Previous: No. 12 | Record: 1-0 ⬇️ 1
Beachside dropped one spot despite a dominant opening-night performance, beating KIPP Bold City 58-0.
The Barracudas remain a major threat in St. Johns County, led by quarterback https://www.duvalsports.com/?portfolio=antonyo-davisand a talented group of athletes.
14. Fletcher Senators — Previous: No. 15 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 1
Fletcher moves up after defeating Sandalwood 49-21.Â
Running back Jahmyri Jennings was spectacular, rushing for 188 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Ty Keister added 183 passing yards and three touchdowns.
That type of offensive production makes Fletcher dangerous.
15. Fleming Island Golden Eagles — Previous: No. 17 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 2
Fleming Island climbs two spots after shutting out Atlantic Coast 33-0.
The Golden Eagles’ defense set the tone, while the offense did enough to control the game.Zion Longmire rushed for 150yds and 2 TDs.
16. Bartram Trail Bears — Previous: No. 18 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 2
Bartram Trail made a statement with a 37-3 victory over Tocoi Creek.
The Bears move ahead of several teams after one of their best performances in recent memory. Xander Camus tossed 2 TDs. Blake Soares rushed for 111yds and 2 TDs.
17. Nease Panthers — Previous: No. 7 | Record: 0-1 ⬇️ 10
Nease takes the largest fall of the week after losing to Creekside 21-14.
The Panthers still have plenty of talent, including Enrique Ordoñez, and Chase Phifer, but dropping 10 spots reflects the strength of the Week 1 loss.
Nease gets another opportunity against St. Augustine.
18. Ponte Vedra Sharks — Previous: No. 9 | Record: 0-1 ⬇️ 9
Ponte Vedra falls nine spots after losing a wild one to University Christian 31-29.
The Sharks were unable to protect a home-field advantage against a UC team that made the plays necessary to win late. Ponte Vedra still has enough talent to recover, but the next few weeks are important.
19. Bishop Kenny Crusaders — Previous: No. 19 | Record: 1-0
Bishop Kenny stays at No. 19 after defeating NFEI 35-14.
The Crusaders remain one of the region’s most physical programs. Caleb Mattison Jr. is a major offensive weapon..
20. Ribault Trojans — Previous: NR | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ NEW
Ribault enters the Top 25 at No. 20.
The Trojans upset First Coast in the Week 1 20-14 for coach Michael Hunter’s first win at the program. Leo Taylor passed for two touchdowns in the contest. Both to Taevaughn Winters. Jalen Peters said that the Trojans would surprise teams this year, and he was right!
21. Yulee Hornets — Previous: No. 23 | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ 2
Yulee defeated Baldwin 42-14. They look to go 2-0 by defeating First Coast this week,
22. Riverside Generals — Previous: No. 22 | Record: 1-0
Riverside remains at No. 22 after defeating Terry Parker 32-6.
The Generals looked strong defensively and now have an opportunity to build momentum.
23. Jackson Tigers — Previous: NR | Record: 1-0 ⬆️ NEW
Jackson makes its debut after blasting Orange Park 41-0.
A shutout victory earns the Tigers a spot in the rankings. The challenge will be proving they can maintain that level against stronger competition.
24. Union County Tigers — Previous: NR | Record: 2-0 ⬆️ NEW
Union County enters the rankings after defeating Lafayette 21-7 and Rutherford 35-34.
The Tigers bring a physical style and have earned their opportunity to enter the Northeast Florida Top 25.
25. West Nassau Warriors — Previous: No. 25? / NR in prior Duval Sports D1 Top 25 | Record: 1-0–1
West Nassau rounds out the rankings after defeating Paxon 35-20 in the Week 0 and then playing Charleton County to a 14-14 tie.
The Warriors have already shown they can compete with quality opposition. Their physical brand of football makes them a dangerous team moving forward.
Week 2 Biggest Movers
⬆️ Columbia: No. 10 → No. 4
The Tigers’ one-point win over Bolles is the biggest statement of Week 1.
⬆️ University Christian: No. 14 → No. 7
A road win over Ponte Vedra on a late field goal changes the UC conversation.
⬆️ Creekside: No. 16 → No. 10
Beating Nease gives the Knights one of the region’s best early wins.
⬇️ Nease: No. 7 → No. 17
A 21-14 loss to Creekside creates a major shakeup.
⬇️ Ponte Vedra: No. 9 → No. 18
The Sharks couldn’t close out UC after leading late.
⬇️ Bolles: No. 2 → No. 9
The Bulldogs’ 20-19 loss to Columbia is the biggest negative result among the preseason favorites.
The Bottom Line
Week 1 changed the landscape of Northeast Florida football.
Mandarin is now No. 1, but Raines is still the defending state champion and remains right behind the Mustangs. Columbia made the loudest statement by beating Bolles, while Ed White survived a wild battle with Trinity Christian.
At the same time, Creekside and University Christian proved they deserve more respect, and new teams such as Jackson, Union County and Ribault are entering the conversation.
