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High school football ‘23: Top four games, full schedule, playoff implications for Week 11

Tocoi Creek's Ryan Killmer throws a pass in a Week 2 game against Matanzas. (Ralph D. Priddy, News4JAX)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s Week 11 of the high school football season. We’ve got a look at the top four games, the next four options and other games where playoff implications are big. Plus, the full schedule for teams in north Florida and south Georgia are below.

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

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Four to watch

(6) Bartram Trail (5-4) at (3) Mandarin (7-2), 6:30 p.m.

Big game for both teams as the playoff jockeying continues. The Bears enter this game ranked fourth in Region 1-4S. A win here, and losses by Ponte Vedra and Niceville would very likely move Bartram up to No. 2 or no worse than 3. Bartram’s schedule has been ridiculously tough. It struggled last week against 2-6 Oakleaf but roared back in the fourth quarter behind RB Laython Biddle (1,297 rushing yards, 16 TDs). That has been its most difficult game in a win this year. Mandarin has gotten back on track after losses to Creekside and Lake Mary. QB Tramell Jones (1,983 passing yards, 22 TDs), RB Tiant Wyche (1,114 rushing yards, 17 TDs) and WR Jaime Ffrench (816 receiving yards, 10 TDs) are a wicked trio. The Mustangs are No. 5 in Region 1-4M, but a win would vault it as high as 3. The Bears have beaten Mandarin all five times the teams have played including 42-20 last season.

(5) Ponte Vedra (8-1) at (10) Creekside (5-4)

A must-win game for the Knights, who find themselves staring at a tough scenario. Nease’s win last week over Ponte Vedra bumped it from way down in the region standings to on the doorstep of a district title and playoff berth. Mosley’s upset over Niceville means the No. 9 seed Dolphins get an automatic playoff berth. In that scenario, Creekside needs to get to the No. 6 seed to make the playoffs. And that could be difficult if Pace beats Mayo Lafayette, a late season addition to the schedule in place of one-win Jacksonville school Hollis Christian, to stay a step ahead of Creekside. Knights coach Sean McIntyre lives by the saying “control what you can control” and he’s no doubt stressing that this week. Creekside has to beat Ponte Vedra first and that’s what the Knights will be focused on. RB Harrison Garrido (1,106 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and QB Sean Ashenfelder (488 rushing yards, 11 TDs, 1,428 passing yards, 11 TDs) are the big weapons for the Knights. Ponte Vedra had been playing lights out until last week. They’ve got an excellent core, with QB Ben Burk (1,573 passing yards, 17 TDs) and RB Brian Case (867 rushing yards, 16 TDs) the big names for the Sharks.

Tocoi Creek (5-4) at Nease (6-3)

A role reversal. In Week 11 last year, it was the Toros who entered the last game just needing a win to make the playoffs. Nease responded with a one-sided beating. Now, thanks to the Panthers’ upset win over Ponte Vedra last week, a Nease victory will wrap up the District 4-4S title and playoff spot that didn’t seem realistic before last week. These teams have excellent passer-catcher combos. Nease QB Bryce Frick (1,436 passing yards, 16 TDs) has been excellent. His main target, WR Maddox Spencer (1,173 receiving yards, 15 TDs) has been in the conversation as the area’s best. Tocoi Creek has its own stars in QB Ryan Killmer (1,272 passing yards, 14 TDs) and WR Julio Santiago (716 receiving yards, 7 TDs). Tocoi Creek isn’t officially dead in the playoff race, but it would take a colossal chain of upsets to give it a shot.

University Christian (5-4) at Bishop Kenny (5-4)

It hasn’t been the type of season either of these teams expected, especially the Crusaders. Kenny has slipped in the second half of the year and dropped from No. 2 in Region 1-2M to 5. It will likely finish there, although a loss and a White win over Baldwin could make it interesting. QB James Resar (1,023 passing yards, 10 TDs, 272 rushing yards, 3 TDs) is one of the area’s top players and can take over a game. And Kenny has impact players dotting its lineup like S Nash Beenen and Kolbe Sexton. For UC, this is a game that it desperately needs to win. The Christians are already in the playoffs, but in at the No. 4 seed right now. With Providence at No. 3 and facing a red-hot Beachside this week, there could be an opportunity for UC to win here, get a Providence loss and possibly move up to a No. 3 seed. That would mean the Christians avoid Trinity Christian in the opening round of the playoffs. RB Alan Woods III (1,060 rushing yards, 13 TDs), DE Dahkari Gilley (54 tackles, 10 sacks) and LB Luke Thomas (71 tackles, 3 INT, 12.5 tackles for loss) have been the consistent playmakers for UC this year.

Next four

Menendez (4-5) at Yulee (7-2): The Falcons upset a very good Matanzas squad last week to reenter the playoff conversation. Menendez is ranked No. 9 in Region 1-3S and would very likely vault over No. 8 Middleburg with an upset of Yulee, the region’s No. 2 team.

Providence (7-2) at Beachside (8-1): The Barracudas elected to stay independent in their second season of play, an anomaly for a public school program. They’d have likely been battling for or already secured a playoff berth at this stage had they been in a district. The Stallions’ excellent season ran smack dab into Trinity Christian last week and they tumbled from No. 1 in Region 1-1M to third. A win by Providence likely keeps it third and away from a rematch with Trinity right out of the fate in the playoffs. A loss — and a win by University Christian — may push Providence down to No. 4.

Suwannee (6-2) at (2) Bradford (9-0), 7:30 p.m.: Both teams are heading to the playoffs, but this one is a bit of a redemption game for the Tornadoes. Suwannee kept Bradford from an unbeaten regular season last year with a 10-7 win. The Tornadoes are much better this year and have stacked back-to-back shutouts.

Palatka (7-2) at (1) St. Augustine (8-0): One of the state’s oldest rivalries, with the first meeting between the teams in 1922. Only the Arcadia DeSoto and Hardee clash is older, and only by a year. Former St. Augustine Record sports writer Will Brown did an excellent perspective piece on this storied rivalry several years ago and it warrants the read. The Yellow Jackets lead the all-time series 57-44-3 and have won the final nine games in it. St. Augustine has a slew of playmakers and one of the best receiving corps in the state.

St. Augustine-Palatka history

  • 2022: St. Augustine 42, Palatka 10
  • 2021: St. Augustine 35, Palatka 0
  • 2020: St. Augustine 51, Palatka 7
  • 2019: St. Augustine 42, Palatka 8
  • 2018: St. Augustine 58, Palatka 28
  • 2017: St. Augustine 42, Palatka 7
  • 2016: St. Augustine 31, Palatka 17
  • 2015: St. Augustine 66, Palatka 28
  • 2014: St. Augustine 38, Palatka 0
  • 2013: Palatka 23, St. Augustine 20
  • 2012: St. Augustine 35, Palatka 16
  • 2011: St. Augustine 24, Palatka 6
  • 2010: St. Augustine 57, Palatka 13
  • 2009: St. Augustine 62, Palatka 6
  • 2008: St. Augustine 24, Palatka 10
  • 2007: St. Augustine 35, Palatka 0
  • 2006: St. Augustine 48, Palatka 17
  • 2005: St. Augustine 27, Palatka 10
  • 2004: St. Augustine 24, Palatka 19
  • 2003: Palatka 42, St. Augustine 20
  • 2002: St. Augustine 35, Palatka 34
  • 2001: St. Augustine 21, Palatka 7
  • 2001 playoffs: St. Augustine 24, Palatka 0
  • 2000: St. Augustine 21, Palatka 13
  • 1999: Palatka 28, St. Augustine 10
  • 1998: Palatka 30, St. Augustine 7
  • 1997: St. Augustine 29, Palatka 19
  • 1996: Palatka 31, St. Augustine 0
  • 1995: Palatka 24, St. Augustine 12
  • 1994: Palatka 18, St. Augustine 7
  • 1993: Palatka 35, St. Augustine 6
  • 1992: Palatka 27, St. Augustine 15
  • 1991: Palatka 28, St. Augustine 7
  • 1990: Palatka 28, St. Augustine 0
  • 1989: Palatka 47, St. Augustine 0
  • 1988: Palatka 38, St. Augustine 14
  • 1987: St. Augustine 42, Palatka 7
  • 1986: Palatka 14, St. Augustine 13
  • 1985: Palatka 24, St. Augustine 0
  • 1984: St. Augustine 34, Palatka 20
  • 1983: Palatka 17, St. Augustine 8
  • 1982: Palatka 35, St. Augustine 14
  • 1981: Palatka 49, St. Augustine 0
  • 1980: Palatka 24, St. Augustine 6
  • 1979: St. Augustine 37, Palatka 13
  • 1978: St. Augustine 43, Palatka 0
  • 1977: Palatka South 7, St. Augustine 6
  • 1976: St. Augustine 21, Palatka Central 14
  • 1976: St. Augustine 27, Palatka South 0
  • 1975: St. Augustine 35, Palatka South 28
  • 1975: St. Augustine 28, Palatka Central 14
  • 1974: Palatka South 41, St. Augustine 8
  • 1973: Palatka South 55, St. Augustine 12
  • 1972: St. Augustine 32, Palatka Central 0
  • 1972: St. Augustine 23, Palatka South 7
  • 1971: Palatka South 12, St. Augustine 9
  • 1970: Palatka South 20, St. Augustine 0
  • 1969: Palatka South 54, St. Augustine 0
  • 1968: Palatka 40, St. Augustine 0
  • 1967: Palatka 33, St. Augustine 26
  • 1966: Palatka 7, St. Augustine 6
  • 1965: Palatka 27, St. Augustine 13
  • 1964: Palatka 13, St. Augustine 0
  • 1963: Palatka 21, St. Augustine 0
  • 1962: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 0
  • 1961: St. Augustine 31, Palatka 14
  • 1960: St. Augustine 34, Palatka 7
  • 1959: St. Augustine 13, Palatka 6
  • 1958: Palatka 21, St. Augustine 7
  • 1957: Palatka 25, St. Augustine 0
  • 1956: St. Augustine 19, Palatka 19 (tie)
  • 1955: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 7 (tie)
  • 1954: St. Augustine 14, Palatka 0
  • 1953: Palatka 13, St. Augustine 12
  • 1952: St. Augustine 31, Palatka 21
  • 1951: St. Augustine 19, Palatka 6
  • 1950: St. Augustine 25, Palatka 2
  • 1949: St. Augustine 33, Palatka 0
  • 1948: St. Augustine 37, Palatka 2
  • 1947: St. Augustine 52, Palatka 0
  • 1946: Palatka 6, St. Augustine 0
  • 1945: St. Augustine 6, Palatka 0
  • 1944: St. Augustine 72, Palatka 0
  • 1943: Palatka 6, St. Augustine 0
  • 1942: Palatka 33, St. Augustine 6
  • 1941: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 0
  • 1940: St. Augustine 32, Palatka 6
  • 1939: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 0
  • 1938: St. Augustine 13, Palatka 0
  • 1937: St. Augustine 25, Palatka 0
  • 1936: St. Augustine 53, Palatka 0
  • 1935: Palatka 12, St. Augustine 0
  • 1934: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 0
  • 1933: St. Augustine 25, Palatka 0
  • 1932: St. Augustine 12, Palatka 6
  • 1931: St. Augustine 25, Palatka 0
  • 1930: St. Augustine 7, Palatka 0
  • 1929: Palatka 18, St. Augustine 6
  • 1928: Palatka 25, St. Augustine 0
  • 1927: Palatka 12, St. Augustine 0
  • 1926: Palatka 14, St. Augustine 0
  • 1925: Palatka 16, St. Augustine 0
  • 1924: St. Augustine 34, Palatka 0
  • 1923: St. Augustine 19, Palatka 0
  • 1922: Palatka 19, St. Augustine 0
  • 1922: Palatka 12, St. Augustine 12 (tie)

Other games with playoff implications

  • Episcopal (4-5) at Lakeland Victory Christian (5-4): Eagles are No. 7 in Region 1-2M and likely wouldn’t fall out barring a Ribault upset over Riverside.
  • Fernandina Beach (3-6) at Middleburg (4-5): Broncos’ loss last week was bad. A loss here and a win by Menendez would keep Middleburg out of the playoffs.
  • First Coast (5-4) at Jackson (3-6), 6:30 p.m.: The Buccaneers are in as a district champ. The Tigers are No. 8 in Region 1-2M. A loss and a Ribault win over Riverside likely squeezes Jackson out.
  • White (5-4) at Baldwin (5-4), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders are No. 6 in Region 1-2M. A win over the Indians, and a Bishop Kenny loss to University Christian may be enough to flip flop Kenny and White.

☀️ Florida schedule, Week 11 ☀️

  • Thursday, Nov. 2
  • SSA playoffs, consolation: Interlachen (2-7) vs. Cocoa Beach (2-7)
  • Keystone Heights (5-4) at Gainesville P.K. Yonge (3-6)
  • Class 3A bracket, championship: St. Joseph (3-6) vs. Oxbridge Academy (3-5)
  • Friday, Nov. 3
  • Ambassadors Christian (1-8) at Union County (5-3), 7:30 p.m.
  • Atlantic Coast (4-5) at Fletcher (6-3), 6:30 p.m.
  • (6) Bartram Trail (5-4) at (3) Mandarin (7-2), 6:30 p.m.
  • (8) Bolles at Berkeley Prep (7-2)
  • Columbia (4-4) at Vero Beach (7-1)
  • DeLand (7-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-6)
  • Episcopal (4-5) at Lakeland Victory Christian (5-4)
  • Fernandina Beach (3-6) at Middleburg (4-5)
  • First Coast (5-4) at Jackson (3-6), 6:30 p.m.
  • Fleming Island (2-7) at Orange Park (4-5)
  • Impact Christian (6-3) at Hilliard (3-6)
  • Menendez (4-5) at Yulee (7-2)
  • NFEI (2-7) at Dixie County (6-3)
  • Oakleaf (2-6) at Clay (4-5)
  • Palatka (7-2) at (1) St. Augustine (8-0)
  • Parker (1-8) at Sandalwood (0-9), 6:30 p.m.
  • Ponte Vedra (7-2) at (10) Creekside (5-4)
  • Providence (7-2) at Beachside (8-1)
  • Ridgeview (1-8) at Crescent City (3-6)
  • (7) Riverside (7-2) vs. Ribault (4-5), at Paxon, 6:30 p.m.
  • Santa Fe (0-9) at Fort White (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
  • Specially Fit Academy (5-1) at (8) Trinity Christian (6-3)
  • Suwannee (6-2) at (2) Bradford (9-0), 7:30 p.m.
  • Tocoi Creek (5-4) at Nease (6-3)
  • University Christian (5-4) at Bishop Kenny (5-4)
  • Westside (0-9) at (4) Raines (8-1), 6:30 p.m.
  • White (5-4) at Baldwin (5-4), 6:30 p.m.
  • Winter Springs (0-9) at Matanzas (6-3)
  • Wolfson (3-6) at Englewood (5-4), 6:30 p.m.
  • OFF: Baker County, Hilliard, Hollis Christian, Joshua Christian, West Nassau, Young Kids in Motion.

SSAA playoffs

  • Championship bracket, semifinals
  • Zarephath Academy (5-4) at Master’s Academy (7-2)
  • 5A bracket, semifinals
  • Bishop Snyder (6-3) at Mount Dora Christian (4-5)
  • Class 4A bracket, semifinals
  • Eagle’s View (4-5) vs. Lighthouse Private Charter (4-5)
  • Class 2A bracket, championship
  • Harvest Community (3-6) vs. Canterbury (3-6)
  • SSAA Cup bracket
  • Cedar Creek Christian (1-8) vs. Berean Christian (1-8)
  • Atlantic League bracket, championship
  • Paxon (4-5) at Sebastian River (5-4)
  • Atlantic Class 2A, championship
  • Stanton (2-6) vs. Lake Weir (6-3)

🍑 Georgia schedule, Week 12 🍑

Friday, Nov. 3

  • Brunswick (6-2) at Effingham County (6-3), 7:30 p.m.*
  • Camden County (6-3) at Lowndes (4-5), 8 p.m.*
  • Evans Lakeside (3-6) at Glynn Academy (7-2), 7:30 p.m.*
  • Lanier County (6-2) at Charlton County (7-2), 7:30 p.m.*
  • Tattnall County (2-7) at Pierce County (8-1), 7:30 p.m.*
  • Coffee (9-0) at Ware County (7-2), 7:30 p.m.*

About the Author
Justin Barney headshot

Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.

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