JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The sixth 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.
(4) Columbia (5-0) at (2) St. Augustine (5-0)
A clash that’s essentially the District 3-4A title. The Yellow Jackets are 4-3 against the Tigers over the last 14 years, including four consecutive wins. St. Augustine head coach Brian Braddock is 3-0 against Columbia in his career. Columbia head coach Brian Allen started his coaching career 3-0 against St. Augustine, with all three wins in the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets have already beaten two Super 10 teams, including a gritty 28-24 win over No. 5 Nease last week. Offense has been key for St. Augustine. RBs Durell Preston and Trendell Anderson have combined for 483 yards and 11 TDs. QB Brenton James has been one of the area’s best players this year. He’s passed for 1,229 yards and 14 TDs. On the ground, he’s added 246 rushing yards and four TDs. James’ two main WRs, Somourian Wingo (415 receiving yards, 4 TDs) and Julio Santiago (356 receiving yards, 2 TDs) are two of the best around. Columbia is out to its best start since opening 6-0 in 2019. QB Xavier Collins has been solid this season (699 yards, 8 TDs), and he’s had very strong support out of the backfield (Jerome Horne has 433 yards, 6 TDs). WR Kyren Caldwell (269 yards, 5 TDs) averages a TD grab every four receptions. On defense, LB Kam Mills (34 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT) has been a nightmare for opponents. DL Terry Henry has 22 tackles, 10 for loss and seven sacks.
Fernandina Beach (5-1) at West Nassau (5-1)
Nassau County’s oldest rivalry is a potential preview of a Sunshine State Athletic Association state playoff game. The Warriors beat the Pirates in the regular season last year only to have Fernandina Beach win the rematch in the postseason. Both teams are coming off their first losses of the season (West Nassau to Yulee, 17-0 and the Pirates to Santa Fe, 37-27) to undefeated teams. The ground game has carried the Warriors. RB Smo Green (415 rushing yards, 8 TDs), Skyler Freeman (407 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Avery Griffin (402 rushing yards, 4 TDs) lead a ground game that is averaging 9.6 yards per carry. QB Pryce Arnold has seven TD passes and just one interception. DL Bryce Mangum has six tackles for loss and three sacks. Fernandina Beach has been more spread out offensively. QB Ian Miller (1,284 passing yards) has 15 TD passes and just three interceptions. Beckham Rohe (496 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Aydin Poe (370 receiving yards, 6 TDs) have been the big targets.
(7) Oakleaf (4-1) at Fletcher (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
The District 2-6A opener for both teams. The Knights got taken apart last week by Bolles (38-6), so this is a shot to reassert themselves. Fletcher has perhaps the best team in Ciatrick Fason’s tenure. The Senators are strong on the ground behind Jah’myri “Grown man” Jennings (479 rushing yards, 8 TDs). QB Cruz James Bajek (1,094 passing yards, 12 TDs) is completing 70% of his passes. At WR, Joshua Jones (462 receiving yards, 6 TDs) and Diondre “Stix” Smith (342 receiving yards, 6 TDs) are excellent players. On defense, the Senators can play. Will Reynolds and Elijah Keys have three picks apiece. Oakleaf has a strong offense, but the Knights haven’t been at their peak. QB Jack McKissock (1,062 passing yards, 8 TDs) and WRs Trace Burney (380 receiving yards, 3 TDs) and Jordin Price (189 receiving yards, 3 TDs) are capable of big plays. RB Fareed Coleman has been the big force out of the backfield (426 rushing yards, 4 TDs). DL Mason Thomas (45 tackles, 9 TFL, 7 sacks) and LB Jermaine Robinson (53 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks) have been the leaders of a very strong Oakleaf defense. The multitalented Price has 15 tackles and a couple interceptions for the Knights.
Fleming Island (3-1) at Ponte Vedra (3-2)
This is already a huge game for the Sharks. They’re 0-1 in District 3-5A play after a loss to district favorite Beachside. A loss to the Golden Eagles would end their shot at a district title and force them to play perfect the rest of the way in hopes of landing a top four seed in Region 1-5A. Ponte Vedra came in fourth in the initial FHSAA playoff ratings this week. QB Cole Rosendahl (1,495 passing yards, 15 TDs) has been one of the area’s top performers this year in his first season as starter. Jack Berquist, Tucker Henderson and Alex Winkles have combined for 924 receiving yards and 11 TDs for a solid Sharks offense. DL Reece Beck has three sacks to lead the pass rush. Fleming Island is sixth in the first FHSAA rankings and would certainly get a boost with a win this week. The Golden Eagles have handled teams they were supposed to handle (Clay, Orange Park and Riverside).
Next four to watch
(6) Mandarin (4-1) at First Coast (3-1), 6:30 p.m.: The Buccaneers have won two straight games for first-year head coach Jarvis Parker. ATH Tony Kennedy has been solid on offense for First Coast. Can the Buccaneers slow down dynamic two-way player Brysen Wright?
(5) Nease (4-1) at Buchholz (4-1): Coming off a tough, close loss to St. Augustine, the Panthers face another massive test. The Bobcats have reached the state semifinals the last four seasons. This could be the first of two meetings should these two meet in the regional playoffs.
(1) Raines (3-0) at Riverside (1-4), 6:30 p.m.: The Vikings are 10-5 against the Generals across the last 15 games. Raines is loaded at every position group, led by reigning offensive player of the year Timothy Cole. Could the Generals pull off a major surprise here?
Tocoi Creek (3-1) at Bartram Trail (1-4): The District 3-6A opener is a chance for either team to put a strong foot forward. The Toros waxed the Bears for the first time last year. Bartram won their first game last week and could start a winning streak with a victory here.
Week 6 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Sept. 25
Cedar Creek Christian (0-6) at Harvest Community (0-5)
Impact Christian (3-1) at Tallahassee Chiles (3-2)
Matanzas (3-2) at Daytona Beach Mainland (3-1)
Friday, Sept. 26
(3) Bolles (4-1) at Baldwin (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
(8) Bradford (4-1) at Keystone Heights (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
Christ’s Church (4-1) at Episcopal (4-1)
(4) Columbia (5-0) at (2) St. Augustine (5-0)
Cornerstone Classical Academy (0-4) at Providence (1-4)
Creekside (1-4) at Sandalwood (0-5), 6:30 p.m.
Duval Charter (0-5) at St. Joseph (4-0)
Faith Christian (1-4) at Joshua Christian (2-2)
Father Lopez (3-2) at Crescent City (2-3)
Fernandina Beach (5-1) at West Nassau (5-1)
Fleming Island (3-1) at Ponte Vedra (3-2)
Godby (2-3) at Baker County (2-3)
Hilliard (2-3) at Branford (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
KIPP Bold City (0-5) at NFEI (1-3)
(6) Mandarin (4-1) at First Coast (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
Merritt Island (3-2) at (9) White (4-0), 6:30 p.m.
Middleburg (5-0) at Orange Park (2-3)
(5) Nease (4-1) at Buchholz (4-1)
(7) Oakleaf (4-1) at Fletcher (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
Old Plank Christian (3-2) at Seven Rivers Christian (1-4)
Orange City University (1-3) at Flagler Palm Coast (1-3)
Palatka (1-4) at Newberry (1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Parker (0-4) at Bishop Kenny (2-2)
Paxon (3-2) at Union County (1-3), 7:30 p.m.
(1) Raines (3-0) at Riverside (1-4), 6:30 p.m.
Ribault (1-4) at Yulee (5-0)
Ridgeview (1-3) at Clay (0-5)
Stanton (3-3) at Englewood (0-4), 6:30 p.m.
Tocoi Creek (3-1) at Bartram Trail (1-4)
University Christian (4-1) at Santa Fe (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Wakulla (2-2) at Suwannee (1-4), 7:30 p.m.
West Oaks Academy (1-4) vs. Zarephath Academy (1-4), at Ray Greene Park (2149 Leonid Road)
Westside (0-4) at Menendez (2-3)
Wolfson (2-3) at Jackson (2-3), 6:30 p.m.
OFF: Atlantic Coast, Beachside, Bishop Snyder, Eagle’s View, Fort White, Interlachen, Trinity Christian.
Week 7 schedule, Georgia
Friday, Sept. 26
Benedictine (2-2) at Ware County (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
Brunswick (4-1) vs. Glynn Academy (3-2), 7:35 p.m.
Lanier County (0-5) at Charlton County (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
Valdosta (5-0) at Camden County (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
Vidalia (1-4) at Pierce County (5-0), 7:30 p.m.