High school football ‘23: Playoff spots on the line on 2 nights of football in Week 10

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s Week 10 of the high school football season. We’ve got a look at the top four games, the next four options and the full schedule for teams in north Florida and south Georgia.

All games are 7 p.m. unless indicated. Super 10 rankings are in parentheses.

Four to watch on Thursday

Bishop Kenny (5-3) at Bolles (4-4), 7:30 p.m.

The winner gets the District 2-2M title. Last year, that went to Bishop Kenny after it stunned Bolles 14-13 for its first win in this series in a lifetime. The Bulldogs still managed to overcome that and reach the state semifinals, but don’t think that loss hasn’t been on their minds since last season. Both teams have lagged a bit this year, with the Crusaders dropping two of their last three games and the Bulldogs struggling during an 0-3 start. Bolles QB DJ Moore (1,188 passing yards, 17 TDs) and Iowa-bound Kenny senior James Resar (888 passing yards, 9 TDs, 227 rushing yards, 3 TDs) are two very good players. Freshman RB Caleb Mattison (544 rushing yards, 7 TDs) has been a pleasant surprise for Kenny. For the Bulldogs, RB Emmett Grzebin (606 rushing yards, 9 TDs) and WR Naeem Burroughs (549 receiving yards, 10 TDs) have been strong all season. Kenny dropped from No. 2 to 4 in the region standings in a week. A loss this week will bump it to No. 5.

(10) Creekside (4-4) at Atlantic Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.

The Knights outlasted Fleming Island in an epic 49-48 game last week, a game they couldn’t afford to lose to stay in the playoff race in Region 1-4S. The Stingrays came oh so close to pulling off a stunner against Raines. They’ve made a four-game improvement from a winless 2022 season but they need to win out to likely have a shot in the Region 1-4M playoff picture. Creekside is ahead of slumping Tallahassee Leon at the eighth and final spot in Region 1-4S, although that would mean a trip to Buchholz in the playoff opener. The Stingrays are likely going to get squeezed out, despite being in the No. 8 spot in 1-4M. The District 4-4M champ, likely Orlando Boone, seeded ninth this week, will get the automatic playoff spot. And there’s a big gap between Atlantic Coast (1.021) and the No. 7 seed Hagerty (4.066).

Fletcher (6-2) at First Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.

The winner gets the District 1-3M title. The Senators have been red hot since an 0-2 start. On paper, Fletcher should win this game. But the Buccaneers have an excellent QB in Rodney Tisdale Jr. (1,709 passing yards, 21 TDs). The Senators need to do everything they can to win out and enhance their ranking in Region 1-3M. Even with a district title Fletcher is probably no better than a No. 5 seed. QB Marcelis Tate (1,054 passing yards, 15 TDs) was slowed early by an ankle injury, but he’s rebounded nicely. First Coast is 10th in the region standings and likely won’t make the playoffs without a district title.

(5) Raines (7-1) at Jackson (3-5), 6:30 p.m.

The District 1-2M title is on the line here. The Vikings got a big scare from Atlantic Coast last week before pulling away for a 29-22 win. That was unexpected. The Tigers would win the district crown with a victory. QB Ty’ren Randolph, WR Ziyon Butler and RBI Mark Miller move the chains for Raines. On defense, DL Jyon Simon and LB Jaylen Clark are menaces at getting into the backfield. Jackson has some playmakers. QB King Johnson (1,090 passing yards, 8 TDs) is a multiyear starter. RB Antwan Hart (344 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and WR Sylvester Miller (407 receiving yards, 3 TDs) provide options out of the backfield and through the air. DLs Acie Brown and King Massey have combined for 10 sacks for the Tigers. Jackson is in the No. 7 spot in the region rankings, just a sliver in front of No. 8 Episcopal.

Four to watch Friday

Nease (5-3) at (3) Ponte Vedra (7-1), Football Friday Game of the Week

An always excellent rivalry clash. Can Nease get over the hump? The last two games have been great, a 35-34 Sharks win last year and a 14-7 Nease win in 2022. Ponte Vedra has owned this series, going 12-2 against Nease. There are stars on both sides, with Nease QBs Bryce Frick and Nate Harry combining to toss 20 TD passes. Fourteen of those have gone to WR Maddox Spencer (1,088 receiving yards), who has developed into a monster in the field. Can they find success against a Sharks team that is squeezing opponents into just 10 points an outing? QB Ben Burk (1,336 passing yards, 16 TDs) and RB Brian Case (787 rushing yards, 14 TDs) are the offensive headliners, but watch out for this defense. LBs Talan Babin (65 tackles) and Josh Kim (39 tackles, 4 sacks) and DL JP Dolan (26 tackles, 4 sacks) lead a defense that has been excellent this year. The Sharks win the District 4-4S title with a win here. Nease needs to win here and beat Tocoi Creek next week for the 4-4S crown.

Ponte Vedra-Nease series history

Oakleaf (2-5) at (6) Bartram Trail (4-4)

The Bears haven’t lost to a team with a loss this season, falling to unbeatens Daytona Beach Mainland, Gainesville Buchholz, IMG Academy and St. Augustine. The Knights are mired in a five-game losing streak after a promising start. The Bears may have bitten off more than they could chew in terms of their schedule, but they need to focus on finishing strong. The strength of schedule is a bonus in the FHSAA playoff rankings metric, but wins are huge, too. This game, initially, seemed to be a playoff eliminator. For the Knights, it’s about building for next season. For the Bears, it’s about trying to stay afloat in the region points standings and try to avoid a rematch with Buchholz early in the playoffs. Bartarm is No. 4 in the region standings this week and would likely slip a spot with a loss this week.

Palatka (7-1) at (2) Bradford (8-0), 7:30 p.m.

The District 6-2S title is on the line here. Bradford romped 35-14 in this matchup last year. RB Willie Pollard (1,106 rushing yards, 11 TDs) is the main offensive threat on offense. On defense, take your pick from ATH Chalil Cummings, DE Torrin Brazell and LBs Bryson Brown and Chason Clark. Palatka has some playmakers, led by QB Tommy Offord (831 passing yards, 11 TDs, 1,002 rushing yards, 16 TDs) and RB Cartaveon Valentine (839 all-purpose yards, 9 TDs). But do they have enough to find points against one of the fiercest defense in Florida? The Panthers are a No. 4 seed now and likely no worse than a No. 5, even with a loss here and next week to St. Augustine.

(8) Trinity Christian (5-3) at Providence (7-1)

A battle for the District 1-1M crown that no one could have predicted before the season. The Stallions have been hot since a Week 1 loss to Fernandina Beach. Providence beat University Christian in Week 6 to shake this district race up and make this a winner-take-all game. There has been one close game between these two, a 42-41, 3 OT classic in the 2010 playoffs. The Stallions believe they can win and have played fundamental football throughout the season. QB Mason Williams (674 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 954 passing yards, 6 TDs), RB Tiago Tauler (631 rushing yards) and two-way star Jett Hood have been excellent for Providence. The Conquerors are still Trinity though, even when it hasn’t been the smoothest of seasons. Injuries and youth in some areas have made it a more challenging year than normal but the talent is there. RB Darnell Rogers (840 rushing yards, 5 TDs), QB Colin Hurley (1,197 passing yards, 15 TDs) and WR Miles Burris (381 receiving yards, 8 TDs) gave Trinity some bite. Providence leads the region standings, with Trinity No. 2. These two are locked in to playoff berths regardless of the outcome, but seeding will shake out here.

Others

(4) Mandarin (6-2) at Sandalwood (0-8), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: The District 1-4M title is on the line in this one. The Mustangs are barreling towards the playoffs, while the Saints are mired in their worst season in decades. Sandalwood’s defense has been very good. It is allowing just 22 a game. But the offense has been in the conversation as the area’s worst (7 TDs all season).

Middleburg (4-4) at Orange Park (3-5): Thanks to their walk-off upset over Bishop Kenny last week, the Broncos are firmly in the thick of the playoff points chase in Region 1-3S. They’re No. 7 in the standings this week, but can’t afford a slip-up this week or next. A No. 7 seed and a game against Lincoln is better than trying to beat No. 1 St. Augustine in the playoff opener.

Parker (0-8) at Englewood (5-3), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Why is this game on the list, you ask? Simple. The Rams are in a renaissance year under first-year coach Kevin Johnson. They haven’t won six games in a year since 2005-06 and then had six-win seasons before that in 1996 and ‘98.

University Christian (5-3) at Clearwater Academy International (4-4): This is a brutal late season game for the Christians and likely not one they wanted to play, especially as they try to coax their way out of the No. 4 seed in the region and avoid a trip to Trinity or Providence in the first round. The Knights are very good, including a 35-33 win over Lakeland last week. RB Alan Woods III is a 1,000-yard rusher, but UC has little behind him in terms of offense. The good news is that UC is in excellent position in Region 1-1M. There’s virtually no realistic scenario — barring something like a chain reaction of forfeits — that could bump No. 5 Foundation Academy over UC in two weeks. The point chasm — UC is at 4.933 to Foundation’s 0.150 — is gigantic.

☀️ Florida schedule, Week 10 ☀️

• Thursday, Oct. 26
• Baldwin (5-3) vs. Ribault (3-5), at Paxon, 6:30 p.m.
• Bishop Kenny (5-3) at (8) Bolles (4-4), 7:30 p.m.
• (10) Creekside (4-4) at Atlantic Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.
• Episcopal (3-5) at Wolfson (3-5), 6:30 p.m.
• Fletcher (6-2) at First Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.
• (4) Mandarin (6-2) at Sandalwood (0-8), 6:30 p.m.
• Parker (0-8) at Englewood (5-3), 6:30 p.m.
• (5) Raines (7-1) at Jackson (3-5), 6:30 p.m.
• Union County (4-3) at Dixie County (6-2)
• Friday, Oct. 27
• Baker County (5-3) at Fernandina Beach (3-5)
• Columbia (3-4) at Ridgeview (1-7)
• Fort White (7-1) at Hilliard (3-5)
• Gainesville Buchholz (8-0) at Fleming Island (2-6), 7:30 p.m.
• Joshua Christian (1-5) at Keystone Heights (4-4)
• Matanzas (6-2) at Menendez (3-5)
• Middleburg (4-4) at Orange Park (3-5)
• Nease (5-3) at Ponte Vedra (7-1)
• Newberry (6-2) at Crescent City (3-5)
• NFEI (2-6) at Beachside (7-1)
• Oakleaf (2-5) at (6) Bartram Trail (4-4)
• Palatka (7-1) at (2) Bradford (8-0), 7:30 p.m.
• (1) St. Augustine (7-0) at Clay (4-4)
• Tocoi Creek (4-4) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-5)
• (8) Trinity Christian (5-3) at Providence (7-1)
• University Christian (5-3) at Clearwater Academy International (4-4)
• Wakulla (9-0) at Suwannee (6-1), 7:30 p.m.
• West Nassau (3-6) at Yulee (6-2)
• White (5-3) at West Palm Beach Benjamin (6-2)
• OFF: Riverside, Westside, Young Kids in Motion.

SSAA playoffs

• Championship bracket
• Zarephath Academy (4-4) at Christ’s Church (7-1)
• 5A bracket
• Impact Christian (6-2) at Mount Dora Christian (3-5)* (Impact forfeits due to scheduling issues)
• Orangewood Christian (4-4) at Bishop Snyder (4-4)
• Class 4A bracket
• Cornerstone Charter (3-5) at Eagle’s View (3-5)
• Class 3A bracket
• Legacy Charter (2-5) at St. Joseph (2-6)
• Class 2A bracket
• Duval Charter (1-6) at Harvest Community (2-6)
• SSAA Cup bracket
• Warner Christian (0-6) at Cedar Creek Christian (0-8)
• Atlantic League bracket
• Tradition Prep (4-3) at Paxon (3-5)
• Atlantic Class 2A championship bracket
• Interlachen (2-6) at Lake Weir (5-3)
• Cocoa Beach (2-6) at Stanton (1-6)

🍑 Week 11 schedule, Georgia 🍑

• Friday, Oct. 27
• Charlton County (2-6) at Clinch County (7-1), 7:30 p.m.*
• Evans (3-5) at Brunswick (5-2), 7:30 p.m.*
• Vidalia (5-3) at Pierce County (7-1), 7:30 p.m.*
• Statesboro (2-6) at Ware County (6-2), 7:30 p.m.*
• OFF: Camden County, Glynn Academy.