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 Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
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Last week: 29-7 (28-7 from last week, 1-0 from Week 1 game completed last week). Season: 91-21 (.813).
Florida schedule, Week 4
Friday, Sept. 13
Atlantic Coast (1-1) at Sandalwood (0-3), 6:30 p.m.: Not a lot of offense between these two. Saints haven’t scored this season and Stingrays have 10 points in two games. N4J pick: Atlantic Coast 20, Sandalwood 6.
Baker County (1-1) at First Coast (1-1), 6:30 p.m.: Good matchup but too much defense from the Wildcats. N4J pick: Baker County 27, First Coast 13.
(9) Bartram Trail (2-1) at Creekside (0-3): Knights got their offense moving last week, but the Bears did, too. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 34, Creekside 21.
(10) Beachside (2-0) at (8) Ponte Vedra (1-1): Biggest test for the Barracudas in their short history. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 34, Beachside 24.
Bishop Snyder (3-1) at Christ’s Church (4-0): Eagles pass another big local test. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 28, Snyder 20.
(5) Bolles (1-1) at Bishop Kenny (3-0): Crusaders are surging but the Bulldogs will be too much. N4J pick: Bolles 35, Kenny 21.
Branford (1-2) at Hilliard (0-3): Buccaneers are nine points away from being 3-0. N4J pick: Branford 21, Hilliard 14.
Bronson (0-3) at Cedar Creek Christian (2-2), 7:30 p.m.: Saints get back over .500. N4J pick: Cedar Creek Christian 33, Bronson 6.
Daytona Beach Mainland (0-3) at (3) Raines (3-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings lost this game last year and Mainland went on to win a state title. Shoe’s on the other foot this year. N4J pick: Raines 33, Mainland 6.
Duval Charter (0-3) at Aucilla Christian (3-0): Panthers have to wait for their next shot at a win. N4J pick: Aucilla Christian 34, Duval Charter 12.
Eagle’s View (3-1) at St. Joseph (4-0): Flashes make it to midseason perfect. N4J pick: St. Joseph 28, Eagle’s View 22.
Englewood (1-2) at White (1-1), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders make it two in a row. N4J pick: White 27, Englewood 13.
Episcopal (1-2) at Providence (2-1): Stallions lost a tough one to Palatka last week but get back on track here. N4J pick: Providence 34, Episcopal 14.
Fleming Island (1-2) at Orange Park (1-2): Golden Eagles had a shot to beat Oakleaf last week. N4J pick: Fleming Island 30, Orange Park 14.
Fletcher (2-0) at (6) Nease (2-0): Panthers have been sharp on defense this year. N4J pick: Nease 29, Fletcher 19.
Fort White (2-1) at Fernandina Beach (2-1): Indians are building something. They stack another win here. N4J pick: Fort White 31, Fernandina Beach 20.
Harvest Community (1-3) at Trenton (0-3), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers cool off the Warriors. N4J pick: Trenton 22, Harvest 20.
Hollis Christian (0-3) at Middleburg (3-0): Broncos have quietly put together a crushing defense. N4J pick: Middleburg 47, Hollis Christian 0.
Jackson (1-2) at Matanzas (2-1): Pirates won a slugfest last week. N4J pick: Matanzas 20, Jackson 8.
Keystone Heights (1-1) at Newberry (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: Panthers have been good against solid teams. N4J pick: Newberry 28, Keystone 14.
Lake Brantley (1-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-0): FPC notched a big win over Mainland last week. N4J pick: FPC 21, Lake Brantley 14.
Madison County (1-2) at Columbia (2-1), 7:30 p.m.: Cowboys are a small school powerhouse. N4J pick: Madison County 22, Columbia 20.
(1) Mandarin (3-0) at (4) Bradford (3-0), 7:30 p.m.: A Super 10 collision and battle of two excellent defenses. N4J pick: Mandarin 28, Bradford 14.
North Marion (2-1) at Crescent City (2-0): Colts get back on track after a tough loss to Fort White. N4J pick: North Marion 27, Crescent City 20.
(7) Oakleaf (3-0) at Hawthorne (2-1), 7:30 p.m.: This should be an excellent game. Hawthorne saw its 27-game winning streak end last week, but the Hornets are one of the best small school teams in the state. They’re 47-5 since 2020. N4J pick: Hawthorne 24, Oakleaf 20.
Old Plank (2-1) at Mount Dora Christian (4-0): Schedule has toughened up in a hurry for the Defenders. N4J pick: Mount Dora Christian 28, Old Plank 14.
Parker (0-2) at Menendez (1-1): Falcons are better than people realize. Parker’s just had some tough offensive luck to start. N4J pick: Menendez 23, Parker 7.
P.K. Yonge (2-1) at Zarephath Academy (4-0): Eagles are legit. They’re a really good team this year. N4J pick: Zarephath 31, P.K. Yonge 20.
Ribault (1-2) at Westside (0-3), 6:30 p.m.: Wolverines have flirted with victory this season and get close again. N4J pick: Ribault 19, Westside 14.
Riverside (2-1) at (2) St. Augustine (2-0): Yellow Jackets will get tested from Generals defense. N4J pick: St. Augustine 38, Riverside 27.
Santa Fe (0-3) at Palatka (2-1): Panthers are better than you think. N4J pick: Palatka 34, Santa Fe 13.
Stanton (1-3) at Paxon (3-1), 6:30 p.m.: Brain Bowl goes to the Golden Eagles for the fifth straight season. N4J pick: Paxon 32, Stanton 14.
Suwannee (1-2) at Godby (1-2): Bulldogs bounce back after a loss to Madison County. N4J pick: Suwannee 24, Godby 20.
Tampa Catholic (1-2) at University Christian (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: Tough game for the Christians. N4J pick: Tampa Catholic 27, UC 23.
Tocoi Creek (2-1) at Clay (1-2): Both teams need to bounce back but the Toros have the better offense. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 19, Clay 17.
Trinity Christian (1-2) at NFEI (1-2): Conquerors finally get an easier opponent. N4J pick: Trinity 38, NFEI 6.
Union County (3-0) at Baldwin (2-1), 6:30 p.m.: Tigers are tough and not slowing down. N4J pick: Union County 30, Baldwin 24.
West Nassau (3-1) at Hamilton County (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: Warriors are riding a three-game winning streak. Let’s make it four. N4J pick: West Nassau 28, Hamilton County 14.
Wolfson (0-3) at KIPP Bold City (0-3), 6:30 p.m.: Wolfpack break through and get their first win. N4J pick: Wolfson 28, KIPP Bold City 20.
YKIM (0-3) at West Oaks Academy (1-2), 6 p.m.: Tough start continues for Ravens. N4J pick: West Oaks 31, YKIM 6.
OFF: Impact Christian, Interlachen, Ridgeview, Yulee.