JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back. That means our football predictions are back, too.
News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney reveals his Week 11 predictions for Thursday and Friday night games. All game times are Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
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Last week: 33-8. Season: 280-68 (.805).
Week 11 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 31
Atlantic Coast (3-6) at Raines (8-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings partying like is 1997, year of their last unbeaten regular season. N4J pick: Raines 42, Atlantic Coast 7.
Baldwin (5-4) at White (6-3), 6:30 p.m.: This is going to feel like a playoff game. N4J pick: White 27, Baldwin 21.
Fletcher (5-4) at Trinity Christian (6-3): A must-win game for Senators but Conquerors by a hair. N4J pick: Trinity 21, Fletcher 20.
Jackson (4-5) at First Coast (3-6), 6:30 p.m.: Buccaneers keep the Tigers from a .500 record. N4J pick: First Coast 27, Jackson 20.
(3) St. Augustine (7-1) at (6) Mandarin (7-2), 6:30 p.m.: Too much offense from the Yellow Jackets. N4J pick: (3) St. Augustine 29, (6) Mandarin 21.
Sandalwood (0-9) at Parker (4-5), 6:30 p.m.: Braves finish at .500 and keep Saints reeling. N4J pick: Parker 27, Sandalwood 7.
Wolfson (1-8) at Englewood (2-7), 6:30 p.m.: Rams win in this rivalry clash. N4J pick: Englewood 28, Wolfson 7.
Friday, Nov. 1
Atkinson County, Ga. (6-2) at Hilliard (1-8): Tough season finally ends for Red Flashes. N4J pick: Atkinson County 35, Hilliard 20.
Bradford (8-1) at NFEI (1-7): Tornadoes just need to stay healthy for the playoffs. N4J pick: (5) Bradford 51, NFEI 0. (Note: Game canceled)
Chiles (3-6) at Suwannee (3-5), 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs finish regular season strong. N4J pick: Suwannee 28, Chiles 20.
Creekside (5-4) at Ponte Vedra (7-2), Varsity 4 Game of the Week: This has been a good back and forth rivalry. Knights in a tight one. N4J pick: Creekside 28, (7) Ponte Vedra 27.
Dunnellon (6-3) at Baker County (5-3): Tough game for the Wildcats. N4J pick: Dunnellon 24, Baker County 23.
Father Lopez (0-7) at Palatka (6-3): Panthers finish with seven wins. N4J pick: Palatka 35, Father Lopez 6.
Fort White (5-3) at Fleming Island (6-3): Golden Eagles need to keep winning to boost playoff rankings. N4J pick: Fleming Island 27, Fort White 17.
Impact Christian (4-4) at P.K. Yonge (5-2): Tossup on this one. N4J pick: Impact Christian 21, P.K. Yonge 17.
Joshua Christian (0-3) at Cottondale (8-0): Won’t be close. N4J pick: Cottondale 54, Joshua Christian 0.
Keystone Heights (2-7) at Crescent City (7-2): Raiders put a cherry on top of an eight-win season. N4J pick: Crescent City 27, Keystone Heights 20.
KIPP Bold City (1-8) at Williston (4-4), 7:30 p.m.: Red Devils in a romp. N4J pick: Williston 54, KIPP Bold City 6.
Matanzas (4-5) at Flagler Palm Coast (7-1): Potato Bowl is all Bulldogs. N4J pick: FPC 34, Matanzas 14.
Middleburg (6-3) at North Marion (4-4): Tough game for the Broncos. N4J pick: North Marion 31, Middleburg 23.
(2) Nease (8-0) at Beachside (7-2): Panthers on step closer to perfect season. N4J pick: (2) Nease 35, Beachside 14.
North Miami Beach (3-6) at Columbia (4-5), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers get back to .500. N4J pick: Columbia 21, North Miami Beach 14.
Orange Park (2-7) at Clay (3-6): Blue Devils go out with a win. N4J pick: Clay 21, Orange Park 13.
Providence (7-2) at Bishop Kenny (6-3): Tossup here. Crusaders can’t afford a loss with district race still undecided. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 31, Providence 23.
Ribault (1-8) at Bartram Trail (3-5): Playoffs are a long shot for Bears but they still have a pulse. Trojans coming off an OT loss to Paxon where they didn’t score. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 45, Ribault 0.
Ridgeview (1-8) at Episcopal (3-5): Eagles cruise. N4J pick: Episcopal 42, Ridgeview 13.
Tocoi Creek (4-5) at (8) Oakleaf (6-3): Knights need to get their offense back on track. N4J pick: (8) Oakleaf 38, Tocoi Creek 20.
Union County (8-0) at Chiefland (7-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers move closer to unbeaten regular season. N4J pick: Union County 24, Chiefland 20.
University Christian (3-5) at Fort Meade (1-6): Christians are playoff bound but they need to finish strong. N4J pick: UC 34, Fort Meade 13.
Westside (1-8) at Tallahassee Leon (0-9): Wolverines end season on a positive note. N4J pick: Westside 21, Leon 20.
Yulee (2-6) at Menendez (5-4): Falcons can’t afford a slip up as they chase a playoff spot. N4J pick: Menendez 28, Yulee 20.
Zephyrhills Christian (1-8) at Zarephath Academy (10-1): Jordan Durham may throw for 900 yards. N4J pick: Zarephath 58, Zephyrhills Christian 14.
OFF: Bolles, Hollis Christian, Old Plank Christian, Riverside, Young Kids in Motion.
Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs
All games Friday unless indicated
Bishop Snyder (5-4) at Foundation Academy (4-4): Tough, close game for the Cards. N4J pick: Foundation 24, Bishop Snyder 21.
Cornerstone Charter (7-3) at Old Plank (6-4), Saturday, 1 p.m.: Defenders keep their strong season going. N4J pick: Old Plank 27, Cornerstone 20.
Duval Charter (2-8) vs. Eagle’s View (4-6), at SOS Field: Warriors roll in this one. N4J pick: Eagle’s View 36, Duval Charter 14.
Fernandina Beach (4-6) at West Nassau (9-1): Special season for the Warriors. N4J pick: West Nassau 35, Fernandina Beach 13.
First Academy (4-5) at Harvest Community (3-6): Warriors with a W. N4J pick: Harvest 21, First Academy 13.
Gainesville Oak Hall (4-5) at St. Joseph (8-1): Flashes clipped Oak Hall in the regular season. N4J pick: St. Joseph 21, Oak Hall 20.
Interlachen (3-7) at Stanton (4-5): Great season for both teams. Blue Devils in a close one. N4J pick: Stanton 21, Interlachen 20.
Lake Weir (5-4) at Paxon (7-1), 6:30 p.m.: Love seeing the success of the Golden Eagles. They’re got a real shot at winning here and setting a second round matchup against West Nassau. N4J pick: Paxon 28, Lake Weir 21. (double forfeit)
Mount Dora Christian (8-2) at Christ’s Church (8-1): Eagles have already won this game in the regular season. They double dip here. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 38, Mount Dora Christian 21.
Saint Francis Catholic (0-8) at Cedar Creek Christian (3-5): Saints end their three-game slide. N4J pick: Cedar Creek 20, Saint Francis 14.