Northeast Fl- Most teams are hitting the mid-way mark of their seasons, and many teams have fallen from the unbeaten. In Northeast Florida, there are a few that remain, and two of those teams will showdown tonight. Check out the Top 25, previews of this week’s games, and lets see who remains unbeaten.
1. Raines Vikings (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 1 | No change
Raines remains the No. 1 team after dominating Terry Parker 43-8. The Vikings controlled the game from start to finish and continued their strong start to the season.
Running back TJ Williamson remains one of the area’s top offensive weapons after another productive performance. Raines also received strong defensive play from its front seven and secondary. Scooter Green and Sa’mon Ellis-Morgan headline a receiving / Quarterback duo that will look to shine bright in front of all the cameras.
The Vikings welcome unbeaten Mandarin to the Graveyard, for the game of the year in Florida. The defending Class 3A state champions on a 18-0 win streak will face the #1 ranked WR in the nation (Brysen Wright) and the red hot Mustangs. They’ve already taken down Oakleaf, and Ed White on the road. Yet this next showdown will be at home, where the Vikings haven’t lost a game since 2023. To put that in perspective..Many of the starters on both teams were still in middle school.
This week: vs. No. 2 Mandarin.
2. Mandarin Mustangs (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 3 |
Mandarin stayed perfect with a 32-14 victory over Nease. The Mustangs used a strong rushing attack and timely passing to pull away from the Panthers.
Shaunqueze Foster continued his impressive season on the ground, while quarterback Knox Annis and wide receiver Brysen Wright remained important parts of the offense. Foster entered the week as one of the area’s leading rushers, while Wright has been a major threat in the passing game
Mandarin has gone South to Broward County and taken down Monarch. They’ve gone East to Nease and taken down the dangerous Panthers. Now they travel North to the Graveyard to face the Raines Vikings. Last year they went to St. Augustine, and turned out the lights there. Can they do the same thing at Raines in front of a solid out crowd?
This week: at No. 1 Raines.
3. Columbia Tigers (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 2 |
Columbia remained unbeaten after shutting out Ribault 49-0. The Tigers have now opened the season with four straight victories and continue to look strong on both sides of the football.
Running back Jerome Horne has been one of Columbia’s top offensive performers, while Jaylen Underwood continues to lead the defense with pressure and big plays. Columbia’s defense has been especially impressive during its undefeated start.
This week: at No. 10 Trinity Christian.
4. Bradford Tornadoes (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 4 |
Bradford remained undefeated after a strong start to the season. The Tornadoes have received consistent production from quarterback Cy Cubbedge, who has contributed through the air and on the ground.
Iyen Addison has also been a key contributor in the rushing attack. Bradford’s physical defense and powerful ground game continue to make the Tornadoes one of the toughest teams in the region.
This week: vs. Tocoi Creek
5. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 5 |
St. Augustine continued its perfect season with a dominant 48-6 victory over Middleburg. The Yellow Jackets controlled the game on both sides of the ball and showed why they remain one of the area’s top teams.
Quarterback Cash Downey continues to lead the offense, while Markeal Logan and the Yellow Jackets’ defensive front have been strong throughout the season.
This week: vs. Evans.
6. Ed White Commanders (2-1)
Previous ranking: No. 6 |
Ed White bounced back from its loss to Raines with a convincing 53-27 win over Riverside. The Commanders once again showed their ability to move the football with a powerful rushing attack.
Tavaris Jones was one of the team’s top offensive performers, while Rontrez Loyd continued to provide production in the backfield. Ed White’s offense has been one of the most productive units in the area.
This week: at Camden County.
7. Bolles Bulldogs (2-1)
Previous ranking: No. 8 |
Bolles picked up an important 35-13 victory over Bishop Kenny. The Bulldogs played one of their most complete games of the season, combining a strong defensive performance with big plays on offense.
Running back Xander Edwards remains the key offensive weapon. Asher Ghioto has also been a standout defensive player, creating pressure and making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Bolles is now riding a two-game winning streak.
This week: vs. No. 9 Oakleaf.
8. Fletcher Senators (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 9 |
Fletcher continued its impressive season with a dominant 30-7 win over Bartram Trail. The Senators have now defeated Creekside and Bartram Trail in back-to-back weeks. Both of whom were unbeaten at the time. If you are undefeated, you don’t want to face Coach Fason and company.
Quarterback Ty Keister has been a steady leader for Fletcher, while running back Jahmyri Jennings continues to provide power and speed in the running game. The Senators’ defense also deserves credit for limiting a talented Bartram Trail offense.
This week: vs. First Coast.
9. Oakleaf Knights (2-1)
Previous ranking: No. 10 | No change
Oakleaf had a bye in Week 4 after opening the season with wins over Orange Park and Fleming Island. The Knights have had extra time to prepare for one of their biggest tests of the season.
Syncere Murphy has been one of Oakleaf’s top offensive threats, while Isaiah Pierre-Val continues to lead the defense with his physical play and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Jayden Delaune and Mike Carter look to hook up in their biggest game since Raines week 1. They will look to send shock waves around the city.
This week: at No. 7 Bolles.
10. Trinity Christian Conquerors (2-2)
Previous ranking: No. 7 | No change
Trinity Christian suffered a heartbreaking 15-14 overtime loss to American Heritage. The Conquerors played a competitive game but were unable to finish the comeback. This was their third game to come down to the last play on the goal-line. It’s been that type of season for the cardiac Conquerors.
Trinity’s defense led by Terrell Pinkney on the outside, continues to be led by a physical front with Adrian Williams, while the offense will need consistent production from its units to prevent close games. The Conquerors now face another major challenge, and they will need to play defense and score points to win.
This week: vs. No. 3 Columbia.
11. University Christian Fighting Christians (2-2)
Previous ranking: No. 11 |
University Christian fell to Madison County 22-16 in Week 4. The Fighting Christians were competitive throughout the game but could not generate enough offense late.
Quarterback Harrison Leddy and running back Jon Asbey remain important offensive pieces. While Kyree Wilson remains the ultimate chess piece to play anywhere on the field. UC will need a strong performance from both its offense and defense against another unbeaten opponent.
This week: vs. No. 22 NFEI.
12. Creekside Knights (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 15
Creekside remained near the middle of the rankings after its Week 4 result. The Knights have already shown their offensive firepower this season, especially through quarterback Rozzi Sperry and wide receiver Marc Brinkley.
Timmy Goodrich has also been one of the team’s leading offensive contributors. Creekside will need to regain its defensive consistency as the schedule becomes more challenging.
This week: vs. Bartram Trail.
13. Baker County Wildcats (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 13 |
Baker County continues to rely on its physical style of football. The Wildcats have been led by a strong running game and an aggressive defense.
Cy Cubbedge is no longer with Baker County’s offense, but the Wildcats have received important contributions from their running backs and defensive front. Baker County will look to build momentum as district play approaches.
This week: vs. Baldwin.
14. Nease Panthers (1-3)
Previous ranking: No. 16 |
Nease fell to Mandarin 32-14 in Week 4. The Panthers faced one of the area’s strongest teams but continued to compete throughout the game. They have a much needed bye week after the toughest schedule in Northeast Florida thus far.
Chase Phifer remains one of Nease’s top receiving threats, while Enrique Ordoñez has been a key part of the running game. Nease will need to improve its consistency on offense as the season continues.
This week: vs. Bye
15. Bartram Trail Bears (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 12 |
Bartram Trail suffered its first loss of the season, falling to Fletcher 30-7. The Bears had difficulty creating offense against a strong Fletcher defense.
Quarterback Xander Camus and running back Blake Soares remain the key offensive players. Bartram Trail will have an opportunity to respond against another talented team this week.
This week: at Creekside.
16. Yulee Hornets (3-1)
Previous ranking: No. 16 |
Yulee remains high in the rankings although they fell from the unbeaten, the continue to climb in statewide attention. The Hornets have received outstanding production from running back Jayden Timmon, who has been one of the area’s most explosive players along with Jaison Brown.Duke Johnson has also provided strong rushing numbers, giving Yulee a dangerous one-two combination in the backfield.
It was a heartbreaking loss to Baker County 14-13, as the Hornets were looking to make a major leap against a very good resurgent team under a prominent head coach. No better way than for Coach Doughtery to rebound than against rival West Nassau.
This week: vs. West Nassau.
17. Bishop Kenny Crusaders (1-2)
Previous ranking: No. 19 |
Bishop Kenny lost to Bolles 35-13 in Week 4. The Crusaders were unable to keep pace with Bolles’ offense and struggled to stop the Bulldogs’ rushing attack.
Caleb Mattison remains Bishop Kenny’s top offensive weapon. The Crusaders will look to regroup and return to the win column this week.
This week: vs. Merritt Island.
18. Ponte Vedra Sharks (1-3)
Previous ranking: No. 21 |
Ponte Vedra doesn’t need to search for its first victory after a difficult opening stretch. The Sharks got their first win of the season beating previously ranked Beachside. It was a very good win for the team, as they look to build a winning streak. They have shown flashes of offensive production, but turnovers and defensive breakdowns have hurt them.
Trent Player has been one of Ponte Vedra’s top receiving threats, while the team will need a strong performance from its offensive line and running game of Alexander Winkles.
This week: at Fleming Island.
19. Middleburg Broncos (2-2)
Previous ranking: No. 17 |
Middleburg suffered a 48-6 loss to St. Augustine in Week 4. The Broncos faced one of the area’s top teams and struggled to slow down the Yellow Jackets’ offense.
Middleburg’s young offensive players, including Khaden Robinson, will be important as the Broncos try to bounce back.
This week: vs. Newberry.
20. Fleming Island (2-2)
Previous Ranking: Not Ranked
The Golden Eagles return to the Top 25 after a blowout victory over Ridgeview. The Panthers were no contest for Zion Longmire and Brady Digman combo of runners. The offense is powered by it’s running game, but will need to open up other option through the air to meet the challenge of facing Ponte Vedra Friday.
This Week: vs. Ponte Vedra
21. West Nassau Warriors (3-0-1)
Previous ranking: No. 22 | No change
West Nassau remains undefeated after opening the season with impressive victories. The Warriors have been led by a powerful running game, with Cameron Johns among their top offensive contributors.
Shamoi Green has also been a major scoring threat. West Nassau will face a strong test against another undefeated team.
This week: at Yulee.
22. NFEI Eagles (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 23 | No change
NFEI remains unbeaten after its strong start to the season. The Eagles have played disciplined football and have received solid production from both sides of the ball.
NFEI will have a major opportunity to strengthen its position in the rankings against University Christian.
This week: at No. 11 University Christian.
23. Episcopal Eagles (5-0)
Previous ranking: No. 24 | No change
Episcopal continues to dominate after opening the season 5-0. The Eagles’ offense has been led by quarterback Justice Turpin, who has thrown multiple touchdown passes and also made plays with his legs.
Wide receiver Brayden Wessinger has been one of Turpin’s top targets. Episcopal’s defense has also been impressive, allowing very few points during the team’s winning streak.
This week: at Westside.
24. Ribault (2-1)
Previous Ranking: No.20
It wasn’t pretty against Columbia, but the Tigers are ranked #3 in Northeast Florida for a reason. The Trojans have been a success story, and Javion Willis, Taevuaghn Winters, Jalen Peters, and Leo Taylor look to get them back on track.
This week: vs Paxon
25. Clay Blue Devils (New) 3-1
Previous ranking: Not ranked | NEW
Clay enters the rankings after a strong opening stretch that included a 35-0 victory over Palatka. The Blue Devils showed control on offense and kept the opposing offense out of the end zone.
Clay’s rushing attack and defensive discipline have helped the team earn a spot in this week’s Top 25.Landon Martin (Sr., QB): The 6’2″, 207-pound senior quarterback commands the offense.
Jay’shawn McCloud (Sr., DE/DT): A powerhouse presence on the defensive line at 6’3″ and 255 pounds.
Matthew Jones (Sr., WR/SS): A versatile two-way contributor at 6’2″ and 170 pounds.
Daylen Brown (Sr., WR): A 6’1″, 180-pound target providing depth and speed in the receiving corps.
Kade Williamson (Sr., MLB/RB): A physical leader in the middle of the defense and backfield at 6’0″, 210 pounds.
Reimey Johnson (So., WR/FS): A young rising sophomore talent with a massive 6’5″, 200-pound frame
This week: vs. Fernandina Beach
Week 5 Games to Watch
The biggest game in Northeast Florida is clearly No. 2 Mandarin at No. 1 Raines. Both teams are undefeated, both have explosive offenses, and the winner will take an early advantage in the race for the top spot.
Other important matchups include:
- Columbia at Trinity Christian
- Oakleaf at Bolles
- Creekside vs. Bartram Trail
- West Nassau at Yulee
- NFEI at University Christian
- Evans at St. Augustine
Jackson (2-1) versus Paxon (4-1) has the potential to catapult one of those teams into the Top 25. With several ranked teams facing one another, Week 5 could bring major changes to the next Duval Sports D1 Power Rankings.
