JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school football playoffs kick off this week and News4JAX has picked out the top 10 games in the area for the opening round. All games are Friday. Here’s why:
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10: (8) Tate (7-3) at (1) Nease (9-0), 7:30 p.m.
Why we like it: This has been the best start for the Panthers since 2006 when QB Ted Stachitas, OL James Wilson, RB Zach Tronti and CBs Mario Butler and Justin Grant led the Panthers to a 14-0 start before losing to Tampa Plant in the title game. This year, it’s QB Nate Harry, RB KJ Perry, WRs Maddox Spencer, Tyler Ghazanfari and Vernon Stephens leading the way on offense. The defense has been the story of the season, headlined by Elisha Luckett, Joe Miracle III, Jacob Curry, Kyle Hurtado and Shemar McNair. They have combined to turn this program into an elite one. The playoffs are tough, especially teams from the Panhandle. The Panthers were a district champ last year and got bulldozed by Niceville in the opener after a rough first quarter.
9. Class 5A: Villa Rica (5-5) at Brunswick (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Pirates have a real shot for a deep run in 5A for head coach Garrett Grady. The last time they had a regular season like this (10-0 in 2022) they were stunned in the opening round by Houston County. RB William Heck (1,269 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and QB Grant Moore (1,919 passing yards, 18 TDs) lead the Pirates. A win would set up a second round clash against Coffee or Jackson County.
8. Region 1-4A: (4) Pine Forest (5-5) at (5) White (7-3), 6:30 p.m.
Another Panhandle-North Florida clash. The younger Commanders have been excellent for coach Lawrence Johnson. Underclassmen lead in all the offensive statistical categories, with a sophomore QB in King Boylston, a freshman RB in Rontrez Loyd and a junior WR in Nick Roberson. In the secondary, Joshua Patterson and Davonte Mango are tough. A win here would be the first in the postseason since 2014 for White.
7. Region 1-7A: (2) Seminole (8-1) at (7) Creekside (5-5), 7 p.m.
The Knights are in new territory. They won a district title for the first time and now get their first home playoff game in school history. This is a brutal opener for Creekside and its powerful offense led by QB Sean Ashenfelder and RB Harrison Garrido. This Seminoles defense is tough.
6. Region 1-2A: (6) Taylor County (7-3) at (3) Bolles (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs have won eight straight after a loss to Raines in Week 1. RB Ty Neal (666 rushing yards, 8 TDs), WR Naeem Burroughs (604 receiving yards, 9 TDs) and QB Ethan Drumm (1,465 passing yards, 16 TDs) are the main names on offense. DL Asher Ghioto, DB CJ Ennis and LBs Troy Holloway and Simeon Caldwell lead what has been a stronger Bolles defense.
5. Region 1-3A: (5) Menendez (6-4) at (4) Wakulla (7-3), 7 p.m.
The Falcons have been one of the many good stories out of St. Johns County this season. To get just the second playoff win in program history, they’re going to have to run the ball well and lock in on defense, something they’ve been able to do much of the season for second-year head coach Anthony Rivers.
4. Region 1-1A: (5) Impact Christian (6-4) at (4) University Christian (5-5), 7:30 p.m.
The Lions have been known more for their quick basketball success but they’re on a mission to change that. Impact won its final four games of the season for first-year head coach Jerrand Nesmith. UC has been up and down with injuries and youth but it won the district title. WRs Jenoa Alford and Amare Mack are the big pass catchers for the Christians, who have used four QBs this season.
3. Region 1-3A: (6) Baker County (5-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (7-3), 7 p.m.
This is the renewal of former district opponents facing off in the postseason. The Crusaders had some lulls this season but won their district and have played well and rattled off four straight wins. RB Caleb Mattison, WR JP Donovan and QB Derek Heideman are the chain movers for the Crusaders. The test for Kenny lies in stopping the battalion of Baker County runners, with Ke’Nais Williams, Hudson Register and Keshawn Kennedy combining for 15 TDs on the ground. QB Register has thrown for 11 more scores.
2. Region 1-5A: (5) Beachside (7-3) at (4) Ponte Vedra (8-2), 7 p.m.
A rematch of a regular season game won in a 17-14 slugfest by the Sharks. RB Brian Case has been a monster for Ponte Vedra, including a five-touchdown game in the finale against Creekside. The defensive front, led by Ryker Kemp and Martin Geary, are tough. Barracudas QB Eddie Jordan is writing the program passing records by the week. He’s thrown for 2,538 yards and 25 TDs this year. Junior WRs Drew Watson and Maddox Hunstad have reeled in 20 TD catches.
1. Region 1-6A: (5) Oakleaf (7-3) at (4) Mandarin (7-3), 6:30 p.m.
The Mustangs won this game and the district title in the regular season with an 18-7 defensive choke out of the high-powered Knights. Will that happen again? Deion Winstead and Shaunqueze Foster power the Mandarin ground game. Freshman Brysen Wright has eight TD grabs. But this team has taken on a physical defensive identity, with Kameron Mills (20.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks) and Drake Stubbs (45 tackles, 2 INT, 2 FF) as the face of that. Oakleaf QB Jack McKissock has 24 TD passes and just three picks this year. RB Christopher Foy II has been a sledgehammer out of the backfield (1,220 rushing yards, 11 TDs). On defense, Anthony Smith and Amare Thomas have combined for 24.5 sacks.
Week 1 playoff schedule, Florida
Region 1-7A
(5) Spruce Creek (7-3) at (4) Flagler Palm Coast (9-1), 7 p.m.
(2) Seminole (8-1) at (7) Creekside (5-5), 7 p.m.
Region 1-6A
(8) Tate (7-3) at (1) Nease (9-0), 7 p.m.
(5) Oakleaf (7-3) at (4) Mandarin (7-3), 6:30 p.m.
Region 1-5A
(8) Middleburg (7-3) at (1) Niceville (9-1), 8:30 p.m.
(5) Beachside (7-3) at (4) Ponte Vedra (8-2), 7 p.m.
(6) Fleming Island (7-3) at (3) Mosley (9-1), 8 p.m.
Region 1-4A
(8) Columbia (5-5) at (1) St. Augustine (8-1), 7 p.m.
(4) Pine Forest (5-5) at (5) White (7-3), 6:30 p.m.
(6) Riverside (5-5) at (3) Escambia (8-2), 8 p.m.
Region 1-3A
(8) Bay (5-5) at (1) Raines (9-0), 6:30 p.m.
(5) Menendez (6-4) at (4) Wakulla (7-3), 7 p.m.
(7) Suwannee (4-6) at (2) Godby (6-3), 7 p.m.
(6) Baker County (5-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (7-3), 7 p.m.
Region 1-2A
(8) Baldwin (5-5) at (1) Gadsden County (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
(6) Taylor County (7-3) at (3) Bolles (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Region 2-2A
(7) Villages (5-4) at (2) Bradford (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
(6) Palatka (7-3) at (3) Newberry (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
Region 1-1A
(1) Providence (7-3) at (8) Ocala Trinity Catholic (2-8), 7:30 p.m.
(5) Impact Christian (6-4) at (4) University Christian (5-5), 7:30 p.m.
(7) P.K. Yonge (5-4) at (2) Trinity Christian (7-3), 7 p.m.
Rural
(12) Fort White (5-4) at (5) Jay (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
(14) Holmes County (6-4) at (3) Union County (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Georgia High School Association playoffs
Friday, Nov. 15
Class 6A
Camden County (7-3) at North Cobb (10-0), 7:30 p.m.
Class 5A
Villa Rica (5-5) at Brunswick (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Glynn Academy (6-4) at Rome (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
Class 4A
Ware County (5-5) at Tucker (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A
Jackson (4-6) at Pierce County (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Class A, Division II
Saturday, Nov. 16
Charlton County (5-5) at Lincoln County (9-0), 4 p.m.