JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s the opening week of the high school football season in Florida. We look at the top four games in the area this week, the next four best matchups and the full schedule. All games begin at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
First four to watch
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(3) Bolles at St. Augustine
The fourth consecutive season that these two have met, all Bolles wins. Last year’s game was a slugfest, with the Bulldogs pulling away late for a 32-27 win. The big change in this one will be a likely shift in Bolles’ offense. With no Kade Frew running the ball, the offense will likely revolve around QB DJ Moore, a player who can get it done with his arm or his legs. The Yellow Jackets went 6-4 and failed to reach the playoffs last year for the first time since 1997. They’ll be in the mix to return this year as the bulk of the players from last year’s team were underclassmen. Expect big things from RB Devonte Lyons and QB Locklan Hewlett.
Bradford at (7) Baker County
This is one of the area’s better rivalry games and carries another wrinkle of a storyline this time. Jamie Rodgers is the new head coach at Bradford and Wildcats fans remember his name well. Rodgers spent three seasons at Baker County and led the Wildcats to the Class 5A state title game in 2017. He left in early 2019 to take a coaching job in Georgia. Rodgers has a good situation in Bradford, including RB Manny Covey (558 rushing yards, 7 TDs), WR Chalil Cummings (472 yards, 6 TDs) and the versatile Dae’jon Shanks. Kevin Mays replaced Rodgers at Baker County and has done very well there, including an 11-3 mark and run to the state semifinals a year ago. Mays has a challenge this year, with a roster strafed by graduations. Two big reasons that Baker County will be right back in the thick of things — DE Orlando Holland (27 sacks last season) and RB Cam Smith (1,339 rushing yards, 15 TDs).
(5) Fleming Island at Clay
Always one of the best matchups in Clay County every year. Clay won 21-14 last season. The Golden Eagles are poised for big things this year. They were underclassmen-heavy last season. RB Sam Singleton (948 rushing yards, 9 TDs) is one of the state’s top recruits and headlines a deep offensive unit. WR Darion Domineck and QB Cibastian Broughton return. The defense is tough, too. LB Walker Whiddon, LB Jhoel Robinson, LB Abram Wright and DE Jhace Edwards were the top four tacklers on the team last season. The Blue Devils went 7-3 a year ago and missed the playoffs and have a younger team this year. WR Payton Dykas (337 receiving yards, 2 TDs) is the top returning skill position player for coach Kyle Kennard’s Blue Devils.
(1) Trinity Christian at (9) White, 6:30 p.m.
A Super 10 matchup right out of the block in a battle of the westside. The Conquerors start their quest for a threepeat with a short trip down the road to face the Commanders. Trinity has a wicked backfield of Treyaun Webb and Darnell Rogers, as well as a stellar sophomore QB in Colin Hurley. If the offensive line can gel, that trio has the chance to be very special once again.They’ll be playing for a new offensive coordinator in Guss Scott, a Conquerors alum who starred at Florida and played in the NFL. Scott replaces Gerard Ross, who took a position at Florida State. On paper, the Commanders should be very good. ATH Davaughn Patterson can hurt teams on both sides of the ball. WR Gabriel Garmon has gamebreaker potential.
Next four
(10) Jackson (0-1) at (6) Nease: Another big Super 10 matchup. The Tigers started their regular season a week ago in a 23-13 loss at Brunswick. The Panthers are coming off a 9-4 season that ended in the regional finals. It’s QB Marcus Stokes of Nease against LB Grayson Howard and a talented defense.
Mandarin at Fletcher, 6:30 p.m.: The Senators should be more comfortable in coach Ciatrick Fason’s second season at the helm. Toby Bullock moves from offensive coordinator to head coach for the Mustangs and has a rising star (Tramell Jones) under center.
Parker at Atlantic Coast, 6:30 p.m.: The Braves were a tough team to leave out of the initial Super 10. Their defense is tough, with an exceptional two-way player in CJ Dorsey leading the way. The Stingrays have slowly and steadily become a team to watch under coach Mike Montemayor.
Ponte Vedra at (2) Bartram Trail: The Bears should be a state contender in the 4S division. QB Riley Trujillo has a year of experience running the offense, while the Bartram defense has continued to shine. The Sharks enter Year 2 of the Steve Price era with greater expectations.
Week 1 full schedule, Florida
All games 7 p.m. unless indicated; district game indicated by an *
Thursday, Aug. 25
Columbia at Gainesville Buchholz
Friday, Aug. 26
Baldwin at Wolfson, 6:30 p.m.
Beachside at Tocoi Creek
Bishop Kenny at First Coast, 6:30 p.m.
Bolles at St. Augustine
Bradford at Baker County
Cedar Creek Christian at First Academy
Charlton County at Yulee
Chiefland at Crescent City
Christ’s Church at Episcopal
Eagle’s View at Branford
Fernandina Beach at Providence
Fleming Island at Clay
Harvest Community at Impact Christian
Hawthorne at Middleburg
Hilliard at Florida A&M
Hollis Christian at NFEI
Jackson (0-1) at Nease
Lake Weir at Interlachen
Mandarin at Fletcher, 6:30 p.m.
Monsignor Pace at Raines
Oakleaf at Orange Park
Palatka at Umatilla
Parker at Atlantic Coast, 6:30 p.m.
Paxon at Englewood, 6:30 p.m.
Pine Ridge at Matanzas
Ponte Vedra at Bartram Trail
Ridgeview at Menendez
St. Joseph at Gainesville Oak Hall
Sandalwood at Ribault, 6:30 p.m.
Stanton at Bishop Snyder
Suwannee at Flagler Palm Coast
Taylor County at Fort White, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian at White, 6:30 p.m.
Union County at University Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Viera at Creekside
Westside at Riverside, 6:30 p.m.*
Young Kids in Motion at Lighthouse Private Christian
Zarephath Academy at West Nassau
Off: Keystone Heights
Week 2 full schedule, Georgia
All games at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 25
McIntosh County at Glynn Academy
Friday, Aug. 26
Camden County at Brunswick
Charlton County at Yulee
Pierce County at Jeff Davis
Richmond Hill at Ware County