High school football ‘24: Four games to watch, full schedule for Week 2

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school football regular season cranks up in full this week and News4JAX/Varsity 4 have you covered every step of the way. We’ll have four games to watch, the next four best and the full schedule in our Thursday coverage. All game times are 7 p.m. unless indicated.

Four games to watch

Ponte Vedra (0-1) at (4) Bartram Trail (1-0), Varsity 4 Game of the Week

This series has been dominated by the Bears, who own a 12-2 lead. But break that number down and you’ll see that it’s not as lopsided as that seems. Eight of these games have been decided by six points or less and they always feel like they come down to the finish. Bartram head coach Cory Johns said that last year’s Bears-Sharks clash, his first, was as good of an environment as he’s coached in. Bartram hung on for a 20-17 win in the latest installment of a tight series. The Sharks have been close lately, but they haven’t won since 2016 in a 48-45 epic led by eventual Mr. Football winner Nick Tronti. Both of these teams have question marks in terms of youth, but this one will be determined by the battle at the line of scrimmage. RB Arthur Lewis IV is a sleeper pick to wind up as the area’s top back, and he’s got the fortune of running behind a stout offensive line. QB Jaden Weatherly tossed three TD passes last week, two going to Neko Dawkins. That offensive line will get its work facing a physical Ponte Vedra defense. Martin Geary, JP Dolan, Talan Babin, Robbie Grieco and Ryker Kemp are a few of the names to watch for Ponte Vedra. The Sharks’ best chance to stay with the Bears is to drag this one into a defensive battle and try and grind it out.

Bears-Sharks series history

(6) Bolles (0-1) at (9) Trinity Christian (1-0)

The Bulldogs struggled moving the ball in Week 1 against a wicked tough Raines defense. They won’t see a better defense the rest of the way. Still, a veteran offensive unit across the board managed just 167 total yards and never seriously mounted sustained drives. The defense played well in the opening half. Freshman DL Asher Ghioto (10 tackles, 5 TFL) and LB Andre Tarrance (10 tackles, 5 TFL) were strong up front. DBs Jalen Ross and CJ Ennis had picks in the end zone, and Ross had a 74-yard blocked field goal return for a TD. Bolles should find things easier to come by on both sides of the ball this week. A more talented Trinity team had Bolles on the ropes last year, outgaining the Bulldogs by nearly 200 yards and statistically controlling the game. But the Conquerors had five turnovers in a 26-21 loss. Trinity is much younger this season than it has been in years, but they’ll grow up quickly. The Conquerors went on the road in Week 1 and beat White 21-18, largely on the strength of their defense. Carl Kendrick fell on a fumble in the end zone for a defensive TD and the Trinity defense and the Conquerors limited the Commanders to just 235 yards. And Trinity needed every bit of that to help lead the way for its offense, which managed just 150 yards. Kaleel Vereen (11 tackles), Jacob Weldon, Kendrick and Terrell Pinkney all had strong defensive games for Trinity in less than ideal weather conditions. The Conquerors are still feeling it out on offense, with Hicks Zarah, Micah Anderson, Cedrick McNeil and Terel Dallas handling the bulk of the call carrying duties. Zarah and Dallas split time at QB and teamed up to go 6 of 9 through the air.

Bulldogs-Conquerors series history

Fleming Island (1-0) at Riverside (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

The Generals need to fix their myriad issues that Oakleaf highlighted last week or it’s going to be a long season. Riverside couldn’t stop the Knights, allowing 501 yards and scores on all but two possessions. Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue but the Generals mustered 254 yards of their own and found the end zone just once. With a Gators commit at tight end (Tae’shaun Gelsey) and a multipurpose star in Myles Kendrick (Indiana commit), Riverside needs to crank it up on offense. Fleming Island surged back with a 27-point second half to scrape by rival Clay, 30-20, in interim head coach Derek Chipoletti’s return to the sidelines as the man in charge. QB Cibastian Broughton is a effective as a passer and a runner, but the Golden Eagles had more success as a team keeping it on the ground last week. RB Demhir Jackson (97 yards), Broughton (89 yards) and Sebastian Cruz (35 yards, 2 TDs) will put the Riverside defense to the test on Friday.

(1) Mandarin (1-0) at Atlantic Coast (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

The battle for the Principal’s Cup has been controlled by the Mustangs. Atlantic Coast won three of the first four meetings but Mandarin is 8-1 since. The Mandarin senior classic is 2-1 against the Stingrays but has won the previous two games in 30-0 romps. This year should be more of the same. Mandarin will likely be a favorite in every game this season with the exception of a Week 5 game at national powerhouse IMG Academy. Elite 11 QB Tramell Jones was at his very best last week, surgically dicing up Creekside for a 15 of 17 game (297 yards, 3 TDs) and a perfect passer rating. Two of those TDs went to freshman phenom Brysen Wright. It wasn’t just the passing game that enjoyed a robust night. The ground attack churned out 225 yards (5 TDs) and averaged 8 yards per carry. The Stingrays had a strong defensive showing against Parker in Week 1, much needed after a sluggish finish in 2023 where it couldn’t stop teams and didn’t score (shutout in Weeks 10 and 11). The ground game of the Stingrays was nasty last week against the Braves, gashing Parker for 239 yards on 31 carries (7.7 ypc). RB Jordyn Bell (16 carries, 169 yards, TD) is the big name to watch out of the backfield for Atlantic Coast. Can the Stingrays and head coach Step Durham put together a game plan to move the ball on one of the most talented teams in the state?

Mustangs-Stingrays series history

Next four to watch

(8) Nease (1-0) at Creekside (0-1)

This series has been entertaining the last few years, and the Knights are no doubt chomping to get back in their offensive groove after Mandarin routed them 57-13 last week. Nease clamped down on rival Ponte Vedra (24-7) last week, but Creekside has a much stronger offense.

Palatka (0-1) at Baldwin (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

The Panthers were drummed by St. Augustine last week and the Indians hammered Englewood. This should be far more competitive The Indians have playmakers at RB (Nashawn Jacobs), WR (Kelvin Brown) and QB (Gage Screws). QB Tommy Offord and WR KJ Wright are the big names for Palatka.

Paxon (2-0) at Christ’s Church (2-0)

A good clash of unbeatens. The Eagles of Christ’s Church Academy have big offensive playmakers in RB Kyree Wilson (312 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and WR CJ Barnes (131 yards, 3 TDs). Paxon’s Golden Eagles are after their first 3-0 start in more than 20 years. They’d be in excellent position for a .500 season or better with a victory here. Paxon’s best finish in recent history was a 5-5 regular season in 2014 followed by a postseason bowl loss to Bartram Trail. RB Kenyon Gardner (437 rushing yards, 4 TDs) has been dicing opposing defenses this season.

(2) St. Augustine (1-0) at Menendez (1-0)

A rivalry by proximity, the Yellow Jackets are 22-1 all-time against the Falcons. St. Augustine has loads of talent, especially at receiver. The Falcons have a solid team in coach Anthony Rivers’ second season, but this is an uphill climb for Menendez.

Florida schedule, Week 2

Thursday, Aug. 29, all games 7 p.m. unless indicated

Providence (1-0) at St. John Paul II (1-1)

Zarephath Academy (1-0) at South Fork (0-1)

Friday, Aug. 30

(10) Beachside (1-0) at Englewood (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

Bishop Snyder (2-0) at Gainesville Oak Hall (1-1)

(6) Bolles (0-1) at (9) Trinity Christian (1-0)

Brooksville Central (0-1) at Interlachen (0-2), 7:30 p.m.

Cedar Creek Christian (1-1) at Father Lopez (0-2)

Columbia (1-0) at Coffee, Ga. (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

Crescent City (0-0) at PK Yonge (1-0)

Dunnellon (1-0) at (5) Bradford (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Eagle’s View (2-0) at Harvest Community (0-2)

Episcopal (0-0) at Bishop Kenny (1-0)

First Coast (0-1) at KIPP Bold City (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

Fleming Island (1-0) at Riverside (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

Flagler Palm Coast (0-0) at Lake Howell (0-1)

Fort White (0-1) at Belleview (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

Hilliard (0-1) at Stanton (0-2), 6:30 p.m.

Hollis Christian (0-1) at Chiefland (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

Impact Christian (0-1) at Port St. Lucie (0-2)

Lafayette (1-0) at Suwannee (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

(1) Mandarin (1-0) at Atlantic Coast (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

Matanzas (0-1) at Atlantic (0-1)

Middleburg (1-0) at NFEI (1-0)

(8) Nease (1-0) at Creekside (0-1)

(7) Oakleaf (1-0) at Orange Park (1-0)

Palatka (0-1) at Baldwin (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

Palm Bay (0-1) at Baker County (0-1)

Parker (0-1) at Fletcher (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

Paxon (2-0) at Christ’s Church (2-0)

Ponte Vedra (0-1) at (4) Bartram Trail (1-0)

(3) Raines (1-0) at Sandalwood (0-1), 6:30 p.m.

Ribault (0-1) at Jackson (1-0), 6:30 p.m.

Ridgeview (0-1) at West Nassau (1-1)

(2) St. Augustine (1-0) at Menendez (1-0)

St. Joseph (2-0) at Duval Charter (0-2), 4:30 p.m.

Seven Rivers Christian (2-0) at Old Plank (1-0)

Union County (1-0) at Keystone Heights (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

University Christian (0-1) at Hebron Christian, Ga. (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

Westside (0-1) at Tocoi Creek (1-0)

Wolfson (0-2) at Fernandina Beach (1-1)

Yulee (0-1) at Clay (0-1)

OFF: White.

Week 3 schedule, Georgia

Friday, Aug. 30, all games at 7:30 p.m.

Bainbridge (0-2) at Ware County (1-1)

Brantley County (0-2) at Pierce County (1-0)

Charlton County (2-0) at Jeff Davis (2-0)

West Broward (1-0) at Camden County (2-0)

OFF: Brunswick, Glynn Academy.