JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back. That means our football predictions are back, too.
News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his picks for the week each Thursday. This week, predictions are published a day earlier due to the number of games on Thursday. All game times are 7 p.m. unless indicated. District games are indicated by an *.
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Last week: 25-7 (.781). Season: 233-70 (.769).
Week 10 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 27
Beachside (5-3) at St. Joseph (2-6): Barracudas notch sixth win in their first season. N4J pick: Beachside 34, St. Joseph 0.
Crescent City (4-4, 2-0) at Lake Weir (1-7, 1-1)*: Raiders lock up district title. N4J pick: Crescent City 38, Lake Weir 20.
Englewood (4-4, 0-2) at Parker (2-7, 1-1), 6:30 p.m.*: Good matchup. Braves have played well down the stretch. N4J pick: Parker 20, Englewood 19.
First Coast (5-2, 1-1) at Fletcher (6-2, 2-0), 6:30 p.m.*: Senators get Ciatrick Fason his second district title in two seasons. N4J pick: Fletcher 23, First Coast 17.
Fleming Island (4-3, 0-3) at Gainesville Buchholz (6-1, 2-1)*: Bobcats deal Golden Eagles playoff hopes a big blow. N4J pick: Buchholz 20, Fleming Island 13.
Jackson (7-1, 1-0) at Raines (6-1, 1-0), 6:30 p.m.*: Tigers’ defense is the difference in a history-making district title win. N4J pick: Jackson 19, Raines 13.
Ribault (3-5) at Baldwin (7-1), 6:30 p.m.: Indians get a tough defensive test before the playoffs. N4J pick: Baldwin 20, Ribault 14.
Sandalwood (4-4, 1-0) at Mandarin (4-3, 1-0), 6:30 p.m.*: Mustangs are a bit more balanced. N4J pick: Mandarin 35, Sandalwood 13.
White (5-2, 1-0) at Westside (1-7, 0-1), 6:30 p.m.*: No drama in this one. N4J pick: White 28, Westside 12.
Wolfson (4-4, 0-2) at Episcopal (6-2, 0-2)*: Eagles are heading to the playoffs. N4J pick: Episcopal 33, Wolfson 20.
Friday, Oct. 28
Atlantic Coast (0-8) at Creekside (6-2): Knights march closer to the playoffs. N4J pick: Creekside 42, Atlantic Coast 7.
Bartram Trail (8-0, 3-0) at Oakleaf (4-4, 1-2)*: Bears can’t afford a trap game. N4J pick: Bartram 28, Oakleaf 14.
Bolles (5-3, 2-0) at Bishop Kenny (7-1, 2-0)*: Bulldogs have been on a different level against district teams. N4J pick: Bolles 35, Kenny 14.
Bradford (8-0, 2-0) at Palatka (7-1, 2-0)*: Tornadoes just don’t allow touchdowns. N4J pick: Bradford 32, Palatka 0.
Clay (3-5, 2-1) at St. Augustine (5-3, 3-0)*: Yellow Jackets romp to a district crown. N4J pick: St. Augustine 38, Clay 7.
Fernandina Beach (4-4, 1-2) at Baker County (5-3, 2-1)*: Wildcats close to sewing up at-large playoff berth. N4J pick: Baker County 28, Fernandina Beach 14.
Impact Christian (1-6) at Cornerstone Christian (1-7): A long road trip for the Lions. N4J pick: Cornerstone Christian 24, Impact Christian 14.
Keystone Heights (2-6, 0-2) at Tocoi Creek (5-3, 0-2)*: Toros are battling for a playoff berth in Year 2. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 29, Keystone Heights 13.
Menendez (4-4, 2-1) at Matanzas (3-5, 1-2)*: Falcons climb over .500. N4J pick: Menendez 27, Matanzas 14.
North Florida Educational (3-4, 0-3) at Christ’s Church (1-7, 0-3)*: NFEI wins in a battle of the Eagles. N4J pick: NFEI 20, Christ’s Church 14.
Orange Park (2-6, 1-1) at Middleburg (3-5, 1-1)*: Broncos are still in a chase for the playoffs. N4J pick: Middleburg 35, Orange Park 13.
Ponte Vedra (4-4, 0-1) at Nease (1-7, 0-1)*: Sharks add to Panthers’ struggles. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 33, Nease 20.
Providence (4-4, 2-1) at Trinity Christian (8-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m.*: Conquerors put a bow on a district title. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 42, Providence 7.
Ridgeview (1-8, 0-2) at Columbia (5-3, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.*: Tigers keep second half surge going strong. N4J pick: Columbia 38, Ridgeview 7.
Suwannee (5-3, 1-0) at Wakulla (7-2, 1-0)*: Excellent matchup between red-hot teams. N4J pick: Suwannee 23, Wakulla 20.
Yulee (4-4, 1-2) at West Nassau (2-7, 0-3)*: Warriors will want to forget this season happened. N4J pick: Yulee 33, West Nassau 13.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Cedar Creek Christian (4-3) at Seven Rivers Christian (6-2): Tough road trip for the Saints. N4J pick: Seven Rivers Christian 27, Cedar Creek Christian 20.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Cocoa Beach (5-2) at Paxon (2-6): Golden Eagles get it done at home. N4J pick: Paxon 24, Cocoa Beach 23.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Faith Christian (3-5) at Eagle’s View (3-5): Warriors won this game last week, too. N4J pick: Eagle’s View 13, Faith Christian 12.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Harvest (2-5) at Lighthouse Private Christian (1-7): Warriors go on the road and notch a win. N4J pick: Harvest 19, Lighthouse Private 14.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Legacy Charter (4-3) at Bishop Snyder (5-3): Cardinals win and move on. N4J pick: Snyder 19, Legacy Charter 13.
Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs: Stanton (1-6) at Interlachen (8-0): The Rams are after the perfect season. N4J pick: Interlachen 36, Stanton 13.
Others
Home team in CAPS
Chiefland (5-1) over FORT WHITE (5-3), 7:30 p.m.
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN (6-1) over Zarephath Academy (2-5)
YOUNG KIDS IN MOTION (3-3) over Hollis Christian (2-5)
Off: Flagler Palm Coast, Hilliard, Riverside, Union County, University Christian.