JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back and so are our weekly predictions for local games. Each Thursday during the season, News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will offer his picks on the games.
Last week: 34-3. Season: 184-45 (.803).
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Week 7 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 2
University Christian (5-1) at True North Classical (2-3): Christians are a good pick to reach the 1A state semifinals. They’re really good on defense. N4J pick: University Christian 28, True North 14.
Friday, Oct. 3
Bell (2-4) at Duval Charter (0-6): Panthers will go into Week 8 looking for first win. N4J pick: Bell 21, Duval Charter 20.
Bishop Kenny (3-2) at Rickards (2-4): Crusaders win back-to-back games. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 27, Rickards 21.
Bishop Snyder (3-3) at Lake Highland Prep (4-1): Highlanders win big. N4J pick: Lake Highland Prep 48, Bishop Snyder 21.
(7) Bradford (5-1) at Palatka (1-4): Tornadoes are on a collision course with state semifinals. N4J pick: (7) Bradford 43, Palatka 0.
Branford (4-2) at Interlachen (2-4), 7:30 p.m.: Tossup game here. N4J pick: Branford 27, Interlachen 20.
Eagle’s View (4-2) at Mount Bethel Christian Academy (4-1): Warriors with a big road win. N4J pick: Eagle’s View 21, Mount Bethel 20.
Englewood (0-5) at Paxon (3-3), 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles keep Rams winless. N4J pick: Paxon 28, Englewood 8.
Episcopal (5-1) at NFEI (2-3): This is going to be a battle. Tempted to pick NFEI, but I’ll stay with the visiting Eagles. N4J pick: Episcopal 33, NFEI 27.
Fleming Island (3-2) at Creekside (2-4): Host Knights in a close one. N4J pick: Creekside 32, Fleming Island 30.
Fletcher (4-2) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-3): Senators need to bounce back after big loss to Oakleaf. N4J pick: Fletcher 28, Flagler PC 20.
Fort White (3-2) at Mayo Lafayette (5-1), 7:30 p.m.: Indians in a close one. N4J pick: Fort White 33, Lafayette 31.
Halifax Academy (0-5) at Baker County (2-4): Wildcats get back after tough loss last week. N4J pick: Baker County 35, Halifax 0.
Harvest Community (1-5) at St. Andrew’s (2-3): Warriors won their first game last week. N4J pick: St. Andrew’s 31, Harvest 14.
Hilliard (2-4) at Old Plank (4-2): Red Flashes get their offense going. N4J pick: Hilliard 41, Old Plank 28.
Impact Christian (3-2) at Providence (2-4): Lions get back to winning after two tough losses. N4J pick: Impact Christian 33, Providence 24.
Keystone Heights (0-5) at West Nassau (6-1): Warriors start another winning streak. N4J pick: West Nassau 38, Keystone Heights 14.
KIPP Bold City (0-5) at Ridgeview (1-4): Panthers in a tight one. N4J pick: Ridgeview 18, KIPP Bold City 13.
Manatee (2-3) at (8) Columbia (5-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers get a win after first loss of the season last week. N4J pick: (8) Columbia 28, Manatee 21.
Mandarin (5-1) at Rockledge (2-3): Mustangs have a big closing stretch of games. N4J pick: (4) Mandarin 33, Rockledge 20.
Mount Dora (0-5) at Matanzas (3-3): Pirates get back in the winning ways. N4J pick: Matanzas 38, Mount Dora 7.
Mount Dora Christian (6-1) at Christ’s Church (4-2): Eagles swept this series last year. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 28, Mount Dora Christian 24.
Orlando Christian Prep (3-2) at Crescent City (2-4): Warriors knocked off Beachside in the opener. N4J pick: OCP 34, Crescent City 14.
Orange Park (2-4) at Westside (0-5), 6:30 p.m.: Raiders get a step closer to .500. N4J pick: Orange Park 35, Westside 13.
Riverside (1-5) at Trinity Christian (1-4): This could be a game that boosts the winner to a big second half. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 28, Riverside 20.
Sandalwood (0-6) at First Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.: Buccaneers bounce back after a loss to Mandarin. N4J pick: First Coast 34, Sandalwood 21.
Stanton (4-3) at Wolfson (2-4), 6:30 p.m.: Blue Devils are in the midst of an excellent season. N4J pick: Stanton 28, Wolfson 22.
Tocoi Creek (3-2) at (9) Beachside (4-1): Surf N’ Turf is going to the Barracudas. N4J pick: (9) Beachside 38, Tocoi Creek 21.
(10) White (4-1) at Atlantic Coast (3-2), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders lost a heartbreaker last week. They get back on track here. N4J pick: (10) White 38, Atlantic Coast 20.
Young Kids in Motion (1-4) at St. Joseph (5-0): Flashes make the turn still perfect. N4J pick: St. Joseph 34, Young Kids 13.
Zarephath Academy (2-4) at Union County (2-3), 7:30 p.m.: Tough game for Zarephath after a big win last week. N4J pick: Union County 31, Zarephath 14.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Joshua Christian (3-2) at FAMU DRS (0-5): Winning streak keeps going. N4J pick: Joshua Christian 21, FAMU DRS 14.
Raines (4-0) at Ribault (1-5), 2 p.m.: Northwest Classic is going to be all Vikings: N4J pick: (2) Raines 56, Ribault 6.
OFF: Baldwin, Bartram Trail, Bolles, Cedar Creek Christian, Clay, Fernandina Beach, Jackson, Menendez, Middleburg, Nease, Oakleaf, Parker, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Suwannee.