JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The seventh 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.
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Four to watch
Riverside (1-5) at Trinity Christian (1-4)
It has been a difficult start for both of these teams. Riverside is off to its worst start since opening 1-7 in 2012. The Generals have flipped between not being able to score enough to giving up way too much defensively. The Generals pressed No. 1 St. Augustine in a 47-41 loss but returned the next week and needed rally to beat Ribault (21-20). QB Jaidan Delaune has been consistent under center (9 TDs, 730 passing yards; 288 rushing yards, 2 TDs) for the Generals. LB Terrence Hubbard (41 tackles, 4.5 TFL) leads Riverside on defense. Trinity has struggled in plenty of areas this season, too, but the Conquerors have played a solid schedule and showed improvement in their last game out against Columbia. QB Terel Dallas (780 passing yards, 5 TDs, 213 rushing yards, 3 TDs), RB Micah Anderson (341 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Marquez Hicks (272 yards, 2 receiving TDs) lead Trinity on offense. DB Zakhari Greene has three of Trinity’s six interceptions on the defensive side.
Fleming Island (3-2) at Creekside (2-4)
The Golden Eagles lead this all-time series 7-5, but the Knights have won the last four games, three of those in nail biters. Creekside won 48-45 last season, 49-48 in 2023 and 38-35 in 2022. Offense has been the issue for the Golden Eagles in their losses (31-0 to Oakleaf, 35-9 to Ponte Vedra). Much of that has to do with a younger offense than last year. Creekside QB Rozzi Sperry is starting as a sophomore and leading the Knights. Senior Jaxon Earle is starring in the backfield and at safety. Fleming Island is strong on defense with players like Sebastian Cruz and Jarius Rodgers on the field.
Tocoi Creek (3-2) at (9) Beachside (4-1)
The Barracudas are on a roll. After dropping their opener while playing without QB Eddie Jordan, they’ve won four straight games and done so with blistering offensive performances. Jordan is coming off a 535-yard passing game against Bishop Kenny in Week 5. Jordan’s pass catchers — Drew Aldrich, Maddox Hunstad, Brennan Monaco and Drew Watson — all have the potential to go for 100 yards or more in a game. At 6-5, Hunstad is a massive mismatch for most high school defensive backs. Tocoi Creek won the first two games in this series and lost in a tough battle last year (29-26). QB Karter Alvarez has started the last two games under center for the Toros (366 passing yards, 5 TDs). RB Andrew Dolan has led Tocoi Creek on the ground (413 rushing yards, 5 TDs). WRs Bryton Baker and Zack Lloyd have four TD catches to lead the pass catchers.
(10) White (4-1) at Atlantic Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.
The Commanders played a tough Merritt Island team last week and lost on a walk-off field goal. Their schedule is the weakest in Region 1-4A by a longshot, so the Commanders need to get back on track and add wins in Weeks 9 and 11 over Oakleaf and Baldwin, respectively, to bolster those FHSAA ratings numbers. QB King Boylston has 14 TD passes and should surpass 1,000 passing yards this week. RBs Joseph Williams and Rontrez Loyd have combined for eight rushing TDs. WRs Nick Roberson and King Mercer have already turned in multiple highlight reel grabs this year. Safety Julian Holt is a hitter. He leads the Commanders in tackles (42). The Stingrays are on the ascent, with back-to-back wins over Sandalwood and Jackson. QB Rocco Manago has eight passing TDs. WRs Ethan Redding and Jabari McMillian have combined for eight TDs and more than 700 yards. Junior edge Desmond Malpress is an excellent pass rusher and will be playing big time college football after high school.
Next four to watch
Fletcher (4-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-3): Senators have struggled against better teams to move the ball, but they’ve got the players to put up points.
Impact Christian (3-2) at Providence (2-4): ATH Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy has 707 all-purpose yards and seven TDs for the Lions as one of the top all-around players in the area. Impact needs to get back on track after back-to-back losses.
(4) Mandarin (5-1) at Rockledge (2-3): Mustangs won this game 24-7 last year. This is a chance to get in some more work for the final stretch of tough games (Fletcher, Oakleaf, St. Augustine).
Stanton (4-3) at Wolfson (2-4), 6:30 p.m.: Blue Devils could have a three-game winning streak if they get a W here. It would be their first back-to-back seasons of three-game winning streaks in more than 20 years. Blue Devils coach Dennis Bettinger used to coach at Wolfson so it’s a bit of a homecoming.
Week 7 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 2
University Christian (5-1) at True North Classical (2-3)
Friday, Oct. 3
Bell (2-4) at Duval Charter (0-6)
Bishop Kenny (3-2) at Rickards (2-4)
Bishop Snyder (3-3) at Lake Highland Prep (4-1)
(7) Bradford (5-1) at Palatka (1-4)
Branford (4-2) at Interlachen (2-4), 7:30 p.m.
Eagle’s View (4-2) at Mount Bethel Christian Academy (4-1)
Englewood (0-5) at Paxon (3-3), 6:30 p.m.
Episcopal (5-1) at NFEI (2-3)
Fleming Island (3-2) at Creekside (2-4)
Fletcher (4-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-3)
Fort White (3-2) at Mayo Lafayette (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
Halifax Academy (0-5) at Baker County (2-4)
Harvest Community (1-5) at St. Andrew’s (2-3)
Hilliard (2-4) at Old Plank (4-2)
Impact Christian (3-2) at Providence (2-4)
Keystone Heights (0-5) at West Nassau (6-1)
KIPP Bold City (0-5) at Ridgeview (1-4)
Manatee (2-3) at (8) Columbia (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
(4) Mandarin (5-1) at Rockledge (2-3)
Mount Dora (0-5) at Matanzas (3-3)
Mount Dora Christian (6-1) at Christ’s Church (4-2)
Orlando Christian Prep (3-2) at Crescent City (2-4)
Orange Park (2-4) at Westside (0-5), 6:30 p.m.
Riverside (1-5) at Trinity Christian (1-4)
Sandalwood (0-6) at First Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.
Stanton (4-3) at Wolfson (2-4), 6:30 p.m.
Tocoi Creek (3-2) at (9) Beachside (4-1)
(10) White (4-1) at Atlantic Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.
Young Kids in Motion (1-4) at St. Joseph (5-0)
Zarephath Academy (2-4) at Union County (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Joshua Christian (3-2) at FAMU DRS (0-5)
Raines (4-0) at Ribault (1-5), 2 p.m.
OFF: Baldwin, Bartram Trail, Bolles, Cedar Creek Christian, Clay, Fernandina Beach, Jackson, Menendez, Middleburg, Nease, Oakleaf, Parker, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Suwannee.
Week 8 schedule, Georgia
Thursday, Oct. 2
Ware County (5-1) at New Hampstead (1-5), 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3
Bradwell Institute (2-3) at Brunswick (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
Camden County (5-1) at Richmond Hill (5-1), 7 p.m.
Clinch County (6-0) at Charlton County (3-3), 7:30 p.m.
Glynn Academy (3-3) at Evans (1-4), 7:30 p.m.
Pierce County (6-0) at Cook (4-2), 7:30 p.m.