High school football ‘23 picks: Bolles, Bradford, Ponte Vedra eye big rivalry wins

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. All game times are 7 p.m. unless indicated. Super 10 rankings in parentheses. Note: Young Kids in Motion won by forfeit last week. That game is not counted in last week’s record.

Last week: 27-6 (.818). Season: 260-68 (.793).

☀️ Florida schedule, Week 10 ☀️

• Thursday, Oct. 26
• Baldwin (5-3) vs. Ribault (3-5), at Paxon, 6:30 p.m.: Indians are surging towards the state playoffs. N4J pick: Baldwin 22, Ribault 20.
• Bishop Kenny (5-3) at (8) Bolles (4-4), 7:30 p.m.: I think last year was a hiccup. N4J pick: Bolles 38, Kenny 14.
• (10) Creekside (4-4) at Atlantic Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.: Stingrays nearly pulled off the upset at Raines last week. N4J pick: Creekside 35, Atlantic Coast 21.
• Episcopal (3-5) at Wolfson (3-5), 6:30 p.m.: Both teams can finish .500, which is a big motivator. N4J pick: Episcopal 28, Wolfson 20.
• Fletcher (6-2) at First Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.: Senators nail down a district title in a back-and-forth affair. N4J pick: Fletcher 34, First Coast 30.
• (4) Mandarin (6-2) at Sandalwood (0-8), 6:30 p.m.: Saints can flip their difficult season with an upset. N4J pick: Mandarin 47, Sandalwood 7.
• Parker (0-8) at Englewood (5-3), 6:30 p.m.: Rams are on pace for their best season in decades. N4J pick: Englewood 28, Parker 20.
• (5) Raines (7-1) at Jackson (3-5), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings got a scare last week against Atlantic Coast, but they win the district title with ease. N4J pick: Raines 33, Jackson 9.
• Union County (4-3) at Dixie County (6-2): Tigers heating up at the right time. N4J pick: Union County 31, Dixie County 14.
• Friday, Oct. 27
• Baker County (5-3) at Fernandina Beach (3-5): Wildcats are on a roll. They’ll be tough in the playoffs. N4J pick: Baker County 27, Fernandina Beach 13.
• Columbia (3-4) at Ridgeview (1-7): Tigers are in the postseason already. N4J pick: Columbia 42, Ridgeview 6.
• Fort White (7-1) at Hilliard (3-5): Indians are cruising under Demetric Jackson. N4J pick: Fort White 38, Hilliard 20.
• Gainesville Buchholz (8-0) at Fleming Island (2-6), 7:30 p.m.: Bobcats are on another level than area teams. N4J pick: Buchholz 52, Fleming Island 14.
• Joshua Christian (1-5) at Keystone Heights (4-4): If this game gets played, consider that a win. Eagles have forfeit two games this year and put up 28 points in the four games they have played. N4J pick: Keystone Heights 2, Joshua Christian 0.
• Matanzas (6-2) at Menendez (3-5): Pirates are barreling towards the playoffs. N4J pick: Matanzas 28, Menendez 14.
• Middleburg (4-4) at Orange Park (3-5): Broncos can’t slip up after gigantic win last week. N4J pick: Middleburg 24, Orange Park 14.
• Nease (5-3) at (3) Ponte Vedra (7-1): Sharks are too tough this year. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 34, Nease 28.
• Newberry (6-2) at Crescent City (3-5): Panthers knock off the Raiders. N4J pick: Newberry 31, Crescent City 13.
• NFEI (2-6) at Beachside (7-1): Barracudas are building something special there. N4J pick: Beachside 34, NFEI 7.
• Oakleaf (2-5) at Bartram Trail (4-4): Bears’ losses are all to heavyweights. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 35, Oakleaf 14.
• Palatka (7-1) at Bradford (8-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tornadoes are a machine. N4J pick: Bradford 42, Palatka 14.
• St. Augustine (7-0) at Clay (4-4): Blue Devils have hit the skids. N4J pick: St. Augustine 42, Clay 13.
• Tocoi Creek (4-4) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-5): Toros are trying to finish strong and squeeze into the postseason. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 27, FPC 21.
• (9) Trinity Christian (5-3) at Providence (7-1): Great year for the Stallions, but veteran Conquerors are too much. N4J pick: Trinity 34, Providence 20.
• University Christian (5-3) at Clearwater Academy International (4-4): UC is in for a tough one here. N4J pick: Clearwater Academy International 35, UC 13.
• Wakulla (9-0) at Suwannee (6-1), 7:30 p.m.: Eagles in a tight one to win District 4-2S. N4J pick: Wakulla 21, Suwannee 14.
• West Nassau (3-6) at Yulee (6-2): Hornets are looking to make some noise in the playoffs. N4J pick: Yulee 31, West Nassau 14.
• White (5-3) at West Palm Beach Benjamin (6-2): Tough trip for the Commanders. N4J pick: Benjamin 21, White 20.
• OFF: Riverside, Impact Christian, Westside, Young Kids in Motion.

SSAA playoffs

• Championship bracket
• Zarephath Academy (4-4) at Christ’s Church (7-1): CCA has been on a tear and very consistent. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 27, Zarephath 13.
• 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): Give me the Cards in a close one. N4J pick: Snyder 31, Orangewood 30.
• Class 4A bracket
• Cornerstone Charter (3-5) at Eagle’s View (3-5): Coin flip game here. N4J pick: Cornerstone 21, Eagle’s View 20.
• Class 3A bracket
• Legacy Charter (2-5) at St. Joseph (2-6): Flashes squeeze out a win. N4J pick: St. Joseph 24, Legacy Charter 20.
• Class 2A bracket
• Duval Charter (1-6) at Harvest Community (2-6): Warriors win big. N4J pick: Harvest 27, Duval Charter 6.
• SSAA Cup bracket
• Warner Christian (0-6) at Cedar Creek Christian (0-8): Saints pick up their first win. N4J pick: Cedar Creek 27, Warner 13.
• Atlantic League bracket
• Tradition Prep (4-3) at Paxon (3-5): Golden Eagles are moving on. N4J pick: Paxon 27, Tradition Prep 20.
• Atlantic Class 2A championship bracket
• Interlachen (2-6) at Lake Weir (5-3): Last time I picked the Rams they lost by 43. N4J pick: Lake Weir 30, Interlachen 13.
• Cocoa Beach (2-6) at Stanton (1-6): This one will go down to the wire. N4J pick: Cocoa Beach 27, Stanton 20.