JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The second week of the high school football season is Friday night. Here are four games to watch followed by the next four best options. All games begin at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
High school football content
Four to watch
Atlantic Coast (1-0) at Mandarin (1-0), 6:30 p.m.
The Battle for the Principal’s Cup has been largely controlled by the Mustangs. They hold a 10-4 lead in the series. This game is where things changed drastically for Mandarin last year. Starting QB Tramell Jones suffered a leg injury and missed the rest of the season. That set the stage for Knox Annis to get a jump start on his career. All facets worked last week for Mandarin. Annis passed for 144 yards (9 of 14, TD). RB Shaunqueze Foster (102 rushing yards on 14 carries, 2 TDs) paced a ground game that racked up 360 yards and 10.1 ypc. Phenom WR Brysen Wright (below) had 80 yards and a TD on just six catches. He also led the team in tackles and had a 99-yard pick six. Mandarin has pitched three consecutive shutouts in this series.
Atlantic Coast-Mandarin series history
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Mandarin 47, Atlantic Coast 0 |
| 2023 | Mandarin 30, Atlantic Coast 0 |
| 2022 | Mandarin 30, Atlantic Coast 0 |
| 2021 | Atlantic Coast 27, Mandarin 24 |
| 2020 | Mandarin 14, Atlantic Coast 0 |
| 2019 | Mandarin 28, Atlantic Coast 12 |
| 2018 | Mandarin 39, Atlantic Coast 7 |
| 2017 | Mandarin 27, Atlantic Coast 14 |
| 2016 | Mandarin 28, Atlantic Coast 7 |
| 2015 | Mandarin 27, Atlantic Coast 14 |
| 2014 | Atlantic Coast 28, Mandarin 20 |
| 2013 | Atlantic Coast 13, Mandarin 7 |
| 2012 | Mandarin 22, Atlantic Coast 20 |
| 2011 | Atlantic Coast 32, Mandarin 20 |
Bartram Trail (0-1) at Ponte Vedra (0-1)
An always tight St. Johns County clash. Nine of the 15 games in this rivalry have been decided by seven points or less, including the last four in this series. Both offenses really struggled last week. The Sharks made a game of it in the second half against Nease, but they were largely controlled by the Panthers. And that’s somewhat to be expected. New starting QB Cole Rosendahl had a solid game (348 passing yards, 2 TDs) and WR Jack Berquist (109 receiving yards, TD) was sharp. They will get more consistent as the season goes on. Bartram’s ground game has an elite RB in Arthur Lewis IV, it just needs to get him going more than last week (14 carries, 90 yards, TD). Bartram had just one offensive touchdown in a 27-17 loss to Sumner last week.
Bartram Trail-Ponte Vedra series history
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Ponte Vedra 28, Bartram Trail 21 |
| 2023 | Bartram Trail 20, Ponte Vedra 17 |
| 2022 | Bartram Trail 13, Ponte Vedra 7 |
| 2021 | Bartram Trail 26, Ponte Vedra 24 |
| 2020 | Bartram Trail 35, Ponte Vedra 15 |
| 2019 | Bartram Trail 29, Ponte Vedra 27 |
| 2016 | Ponte Vedra 48, Bartram Trail 45 |
| 2015 | Bartram Trail 52, Ponte Vedra 51 (OT) |
| 2014 | Bartram Trail 28, Ponte Vedra 3 |
| 2013 | Bartram Trail 28, Ponte Vedra 17 |
| 2012 | Ponte Vedra 32, Bartram Trail 31 |
| 2011 | Bartram Trail 55, Ponte Vedra 26 |
| 2010 | Bartram Trail 42, Ponte Vedra 16 |
| 2009 | Bartram Trail 30, Ponte Vedra 27 |
| 2008 | Bartram Trail 56. Ponte Vedra 6 |
Trinity Christian (0-1) at (1) Bolles (1-0)
These private school monsters are two of the most storied programs in state history. Bolles has 11 state championships and Trinity has nine, all under iconic head coach Verlon Dorminey. Bulldogs head coach Matt Toblin is 4-1 against Trinity, including back-to-back wins. The Bulldogs looked sharp in a romp over Monarch in Week 1, especially on the ground. RB Xander Edwards averaged a shocking 13.1 yards per carry (12 carries, 157 yards, 2 TDs). QB Jaden Weatherly was on the mark through the air (6 of 8, 117 yards, TD), but added even more on the ground (58 yards rushing on 8 carries, 2 TDs). WR Naeem Burroughs is ruthless to defenders in the open field. He had a TD catch and a pick on defense. The question for the Conquerors is can they stop that Bolles offense? Trinity put up 28 in a loss to Ed White and had big games from QB Terrel Dallas (299 passing yards, 2 TDs) and WR Chris Grissett (7 catches, 130 yards). Trinity just had little on defense to stop the Commanders in the second half (outscored 25-7). If the Conquerors can fix some of those defensive issues, that’s a first step in being able to hang four quarters in this one. Bolles is 8-6 on the field against Trinity all-time, although one of those Conquerors wins was later changed to a forfeit.
Bolles-Trinity Christian series history
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Bolles 41, Trinity Christian 7 |
| 2023 | Bolles 26, Trinity Christian 21 |
| 2022 | Trinity Christian 27, Bolles 14 |
| 2021 | Bolles 35, Trinity Christian 0 |
| 2020 | Bolles 36, Trinity Christian 12 |
| 2018 playoffs | Trinity Christian 34, Bolles 7 |
| 2018 | Trinity Christian 41, Bolles 13 |
| 2017 playoffs | Trinity Christian 24, Bolles 21 (2 OT) |
| 2017 | Trinity Christian 40, Bolles 28 (later changed to forfeit) |
| 2000 | Bolles 28, Trinity Christian 21 |
| 1999 playoffs | Trinity Christian 17, Bolles 7 |
| 1999 | Bolles 28, Trinity Christian 21 |
| 1998 | Bolles 45, Trinity Christian 20 |
| 1997 | Bolles 50, Trinity Christian 27 |
(10) University Christian (1-0) at Bishop Kenny (0-0)
A clash with game of the week potential. Defense was massive for the Christians in a Week 1 romp over Newberry. UC had three defensive touchdowns (Zay Hilliard, Zion Davis, Geedarious Thomas). Offensively, the ground game led by Xavier Billings (2 rushing TDs) was the headliner. Look for that UC defense to have a bullseye on Kenny RB Caleb Mattison. He’s put himself in the conversation as the area’s top back (2,130 rushing yards, 23 TDs in two seasons). UC head coach David Penland III is 2-1 in his career against the Crusaders, with all of those games against current Kenny head coach Tim Krause.
Next four to watch
Coffee, Ga. (1-1) at Columbia (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tough game for the Tigers, but their offense looked excellent in a blowout of Suwannee. QB Xavier Collins (321 passing yards, 3 TDs) and junior WRs Antonio Days and Kyren Caldwell combined for 239 yards lit up the Bulldogs.
Creekside (0-1) at Nease (1-0): An always entertaining St. Johns County clash. Eight of the 15 games in this series have seen the winning team put up 45 points or more. The Panthers looked great offensively in the opener. Creekside leads the all-time series 10-5.
Jackson (1-0) at Ribault (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: The Varsity 4 Game of the Week lands at the rebuilt school of the Trojans. They’ll need to slow down Tigers RB Antonio Queen (107 rushing yards, 2 TDs).
Menendez (1-0) at St. Augustine (1-0): The Yellow Jackets have dominated this series (22-1) but these schools are one another’s biggest rival. QB Cash Downey and RB Kayne Vona lead the Falcons. WRs Julio Santiago and Somourian Wingo power St. Augustine.
Week 2 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Aug. 28
Cedar Creek Christian (0-2) at Father Lopez (0-1)
Englewood (0-1) at Beachside (0-1)
Friday, Aug. 29
Atlantic Coast (1-0) at (5) Mandarin (1-0), 6:30 p.m.
Baker County (0-1) at Chiefland (1-0)
Baldwin (1-0) at Palatka (0-1)
Bartram Trail (0-1) at Ponte Vedra (0-1)
Belleview (0-1) at Fort White (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
(6) Bradford (1-0) at Dunnellon (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
Carrollwood Day (1-0) at Providence (0-1)
Christ’s Church (1-0) at Paxon (1-1), 6:30 p.m.
Clay (0-1) at Yulee (1-0)
Coffee, Ga. (1-1) at (9) Columbia (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Creekside (0-1) at (7) Nease (1-0)
Joshua Christian (0-1) at Episcopal (1-0)
Fernandina Beach (2-0) at Wolfson (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Fletcher (1-0) at Parker (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Harvest Community (0-0) at Hilliard (0-1)
Impact Christian (1-0) at Halifax Academy (0-1)
Interlachen (1-0) at Brooksville Central (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Jackson (1-0) at Ribault (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Keystone Heights (0-1) at Union County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
KIPP Bold City (0-1) at First Coast (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Lake Howell (0-1) at Flagler Palm Coast (1-0)
Menendez (1-0) at (3) St. Augustine (1-0)
NFEI (1-0) at Middleburg (1-0)
Oak Hall (1-0) at Bishop Snyder (1-1)
Old Plank Christian (2-0) at Duval Charter (0-1)
Orange City University (1-0) at Matanzas (0-1)
Orange Park (1-0) at (4) Oakleaf (1-0)
P.K. Yonge (0-1) at Crescent City (0-1)
Riverside (0-1) at Fleming Island (1-0)
St. Joseph (1-0) at Geneva (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Sandalwood (0-1) at (2) Raines (0-0), 6:30 p.m.
Seven Rivers Christian (0-1) at Eagle’s View (0-2)
Stanton (1-1) at Bronson (0-2)
Suwannee (0-1) at Mayo Lafayette (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Tocoi Creek (1-0) at Westside (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian (0-1) at (1) Bolles (1-0)
(10) University Christian (1-0) at Bishop Kenny (0-0)
West Nassau (2-0) at Ridgeview (0-1)
Zarephath Academy (0-1) at Santa Fe (0-0)
OFF: Cornerstone Classical Academy, White.
Week 3 schedule, Georgia
Friday, Aug. 29
Jeff Davis (1-0) at Charlton County (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
Pierce County (1-0) at Brantley County (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
Ware County (2-0) at Bainbridge (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
West Broward (0-1) at Camden County (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
Off: Brunswick, Glynn Academy.