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. This week’s predictions may still be affected by updates to the schedule due to Hurricane Milton. Note: games that were predicted but have been canceled or postponed with no makeup date have been removed. Games with an * indicate canceled games.
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Last week: 25-8. This week: 1-0 (rescheduled West Nassau-Fernandina Beach game). Season: 197-49 (.801).
Week 8 predictions
Friday, Oct. 11
Baker County (3-2) at Suwannee (1-4), 7:30 p.m.: Wildcats bounce back after a district loss to Godby. N4J pick: Baker County 27, Suwannee 17.
(3) Bradford (6-0) at Newberry (4-2), 7:30 p.m.: No picking against the Tornadoes. N4J pick: (3) Bradford 30, Newberry 8.
* Chipley (6-1) at NFEI (1-6): Eagles have struggled this season. N4J pick: Chipley 30, NFEI 13.
Eagle’s View (4-3) at Bishop Snyder (4-2): Cardinals edge the Warriors. N4J pick: Bishop Snyder 24, Eagle’s View 22.
* Gainesville Oak Hall (4-3) at Hollis Christian (1-6): Oak Hall Keeps Eagles struggling. N4J pick: Oak Hall 34, Hollis Christian 6.
Hilliard (0-6) at Hamilton County (1-4), 7:30 p.m.: Red Flashes are struggling. N4J pick: Hamilton County 34, Hilliard 13.
Interlachen (2-5) at Bell (5-2), 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs win in a tight game. N4J pick: Bell 27, Interlachen 21.
Keystone Heights (2-4) at Santa Fe (0-6), 7:30 p.m.: Indians end two-game slide. N4J pick: Keystone Heights 34, Santa Fe. 13.
Old Plank Christian (3-4) at Young Kids in Motion (1-6): Defenders in a romp. N4J pick: Old Plank 38, Young Kids in Motion 6.
Ridgeview (1-5) at Columbia (2-5), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers get back on track after losses to Trinity, St. Augustine and Bolles. N4J pick: Columbia 34, Ridgeview 7.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Christ’s Church (6-0) at Providence (5-1), 3:30 p.m.: Stallions too much for the Eagles. N4J pick: Providence 34, Christ’s Church 21.
Monday, Oct. 14
* Bartram Trail (3-3) at (2) Nease (5-0), 6:30 p.m.: Panthers won’t need OT in this one. N4J pick: (2) Nease 34, Bartram Trail 28.
(9) Beachside (5-1) at Fleming Island (3-3), 6 p.m.: This is a tough one for the Barracudas. N4J pick: (9) Beachside 28, Fleming Island 27.
Clay (2-4) at (4) St. Augustine (4-1), 6 p.m.: Yellow Jackets roll in this district game. N4J pick: (4) St. Augustine 33, Clay 14.
(10) Creekside (3-3) at Atlantic Coast (3-3), 6:30 p.m. (tentative): Knights have figured out their offense and haven’t looked back. N4J pick: (10) Creekside 35, Atlantic Coast 13.
Fernandina Beach (4-3) at Yulee (1-5), 6 p.m.: Pirates reign in Nassau County showdown. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 28, Yulee 20.
Halifax Academy (4-2) at Crescent City (5-1): Raiders in a close one. N4J pick: Crescent City 21, Halifax Academy 20.
* Impact Christian (2-4) at Paxon (5-1), 5 p.m.: Golden Eagles keep their hot streak going. N4J pick: Paxon 27, Impact 20.
Menendez (3-3) at Bishop Kenny (3-3), 6:30 p.m.: Tough to get a read on these two teams. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 24, Menendez 20.
Middleburg (6-0) at (8) Ponte Vedra (4-2), 6 p.m.: First true test of the season for the Broncos and it’s a tough one. N4J pick: (8) Ponte Vedra 28, Middleburg 13.
(7) Oakleaf (4-2) at First Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.: Knights are another team that could very easily be unbeaten. N4J pick: (7) Oakleaf 29, First Coast 20.
Parker (2-5) at Westside (1-5), 6:30 p.m.: Braves have really gotten things rolling. N4J pick: Parker 28, Westside 20.
Riverside (4-3) at Englewood (2-4), 6:30 p.m.: Generals have too many weapons for Rams to cover. N4J pick: Riverside 38, Englewood 14.
Tocoi Creek (4-2) vs. Gainesville Buchholz (4-3), at Citizen’s Field, (tentative): Field conditions will determine this one but the Bobcats are tough at home. N4J pick: Buchholz 32, Tocoi Creek 21.
White (4-2) at Sandalwood (0-6), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders could easily be unbeaten at this point. Saints are improving, too. N4J pick: White 31, Sandalwood 13.
Wolfson (1-5) at Baldwin (2-4), 6 p.m.: Indians are too much for the Wolfpack. N4J pick: Baldwin 35, Wolfson 8.
Zarephath Academy (7-1) at Duval Charter (1-6): Eagles have a get right game after last week. N4J pick: Zarephath 52, Duval Charter 6.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Episcopal (3-3) at Trinity Christian (3-3): Conquerors’ losses are to Bolles, Raines and Riverside. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 35, Episcopal 13.
OFF: Columbia, Fort White, KIPP Bold City, Orange Park, Palatka, Ribault, Union County, West Nassau.