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.
Recommended Videos
Last week: 34-5 (.872). Season: 125-26 (.828).
Week 5 predictions
Thursday, Sept. 19
Menendez (2-1) at (7) Ponte Vedra (2-1): Sneaky good Thursday matchup. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 21, Menendez 17.
Winter Park (2-0) at Creekside (1-3): As much as I want to pick the Knights after last week, I’m leaning Wildcats. N4J pick: Winter Park 35, Creekside 32.
Friday, Sept. 20
Atlantic Coast (2-2) at Jackson (2-2), 6:30 p.m.: Tossup game here. N4J pick: Jackson 19, Atlantic Coast 14.
Baldwin (2-2) at (8) Baker County (2-1): Wildcats have outscored last two opponents by a combined 65-7. N4J pick: Baker County 30, Baldwin 13.
(10) Bartram Trail (2-2) at Orange Park (1-3): Bears fix some things after loss last week. N4J pick: Bartram 48, Orange Park 14.
Beachside (2-1) at Bishop Kenny (3-1): Both teams are coming off tough losses in Week 4. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 24, Beachside 21.
Bell (3-1) at Old Plank (2-2): Defenders are in the midst of a tough stretch. N4J pick: Bell 31, Old Plank 14.
Bishop Snyder (3-1) at Wolfson (1-3), 6:30 p.m.: Cardinals lost out to weather last week while the Wolfpack notched their first win. N4J pick: Wolfson 21, Snyder 20.
Columbia (2-2) at Trinity Christian (2-2): Close one in our Varsity 4 Game of the Week goes to the Conquerors. N4J pick: Trinity 27, Columbia 23.
Crescent City (2-1) at Hilliard (0-4): Raiders lost this one last season but they even things up this year. N4J pick: Crescent City 27, Hilliard 14.
Dixie County (2-2) at Keystone Heights (1-2), 7:30 p.m.: A tight one goes to the Bears. N4J pick: Dixie County 14, Keystone Heights 13.
Duval Charter (0-4) at Cornerstone Classical (0-0): Panthers get in the win column. N4J pick: Duval Charter 43, Cornerstone Classical 0.
Englewood (1-3) at Stanton (1-4), 6:30 p.m.: Tough start for the Rams but they pick things up this week. N4J pick: Englewood 30, Stanton 13.
Episcopal (1-3) at KIPP Bold City (0-4), 6:30 p.m.: Eagles have had a tough start to the season. N4J pick: Episcopal 30, KIPP Bold City 7.
Fernandina Beach (2-2) at Santa Fe (0-4): Pirates are heading towards win No. 3. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 31, Santa Fe 10.
First Academy (2-2) at St. Joseph (5-0): Flashes are charging along to what could be a perfect season. N4J pick: St. Joseph 31, First Academy 14.
First Coast (1-2) at Clay (1-3): Both teams have played better than their records. N4J pick: First Coast 24, Clay 20.
Fletcher (3-1) at Sandalwood (0-4), 6:30 p.m.: Senators are coming off a blowout loss to Nease and the Saints are in the early stages of a massive rebuild. N4J pick: Fletcher 37, Sandalwood 0.
Fort White (3-1) at Union County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers are back in a groove. N4J pick: Union County 30, Fort White 23.
Hollis Christian (0-4) at P.K. Yonge (2-2): Eagles are young and inexperienced and there’s probably just one possible win on their schedule. N4J pick: P.K. Yonge 42, Hollis Christian 0.
Impact Christian (2-1) at University Christian (1-3), 7:30 p.m.: UC has been knocked around and battled injuries but it gets back on track here. N4J pick: UC 28, Impact 20.
Interlachen (1-3) at Bronson (0-4): Rams pick things up and get back on track to .500. N4J pick: Interlachen 27, Bronson 14.
(4) Mandarin (3-1) at IMG Academy (3-1): I really think Mandarin could have banged with IMG with a healthy roster. But as injuries mount, it’s going to be a tough game. Ascenders are like a small college team. N4J pick: IMG Academy 48, Mandarin 6.
Matanzas (2-2) at Seabreeze (0-2): Pirates failed to score against Jackson last week but the Sandcrabs have struggled even more. N4J pick: Matanzas 14, Seabreeze 13.
Middleburg (4-0) at Ridgeview (0-3): The Broncos are going to be 6-0 entering a colossal Week 8 game at Ponte Vedra. N4J pick: Middleburg 33, Ridgeview 0.
(5) Nease (3-0) at (1) St. Augustine (3-0): The most anticipated clash in close to 20 years between these rivals. N4J pick: St. Augustine 31, Nease 29.
NFEI (1-3) at Chiefland (4-0), 7:30 p.m.: Eagles have had a tough start. N4J pick: Chiefland 35, NFEI 0.
(9) Oakleaf (3-1) at (6) Bolles (2-1), 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs are fresh off a comeback win and playing at home, too. N4J pick: Bolles 28, Oakleaf 21.
Palatka (3-1) at Nature Coast Tech (3-1), 7:30 p.m.: Panthers have won three straight so I’m going with the hot team. N4J pick: Palatka 31, Nature Coast Tech 30.
Ribault (1-3) at Riverside (2-2), 6:30 p.m.: Generals can put up some points. N4J pick: Riverside 38, Ribault 7.
Suwannee (1-3) at Appling County (2-2), 7:30 p.m.: Pirates in a close one. N4J pick: Appling County 24, Suwannee 21.
White (2-1) at Parker (0-3), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders spoil Parker’s unveiling of its new turf field. N4J pick: White 20, Parker 14.
YKIM (0-4) at Harvest Community (1-4), 6 p.m.: Warriors keep the Ravens winless. N4J pick: Harvest 28, YKIM 20.
Yulee (0-3) at West Nassau (4-1): Warriors are feeling it but Hornets have played a far more challenging schedule. N4J pick: Yulee 27, West Nassau 21.
Zarephath Academy (5-0) at Lafayette (2-2): Can’t pick against the Eagles just yet, although this is their most difficult test of the season. N4J pick: Zarephath 34, Lafayette 30.
Zephyrhills Christian (1-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-0): Bulldogs stay perfect. N4J pick: FPC 27, Zephyrhills Christian 20.
OFF: Bradford, Cedar Creek Christian, Christ’s Church, Eagle’s View, Fleming Island, Paxon, Providence, Raines, Tocoi Creek, Westside.