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: 24-9. Season: 208-52 (.800).
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Week 8 high school football predictions
Thursday, Oct. 9
Faith Christian (1-6) at Bishop Snyder (3-4): Cardinals have to get back on track this week. N4J pick: Bishop Snyder 33, Faith Christian 6.
Halifax Academy (1-6) at Duval Charter (0-6), 6 p.m.: Can Panthers get rid of the donut this week? N4J pick: Halifax Academy 19, Duval Charter 14.
Friday, Oct. 10
Atlantic Coast (3-3) at Creekside (3-4): Knights wrap up back-to-back district championships. N4J pick: Creekside 38, Atlantic Coast 31.
Baldwin (4-2) at Wolfson (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: I’ve been burned on doubting the Wolfpack lately, but I think the Indians are too much. N4J pick: Baldwin 38, Wolfson 14.
Belleview (1-6) at Matanzas (4-3): Pirates on a little hot streak after this win. N4J pick: Matanzas 28, Belleview 13.
Bell (3-4) at Interlachen (2-5), 7:30 p.m.: This should be a solid game. N4J pick: Bell 35, Interlachen 28.
Bishop Kenny (4-2) at Menendez (3-3): A win by the Falcons would wrap up the District 4-3A title, but Crusaders have other plans. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 33, Menendez 27.
Christ’s Church (4-3) at Harvest Community (1-6): Eagles get back on track after shutout loss last week. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 28, Harvest 6.
(8) Columbia (6-1) at Ridgeview (2-4): Tigers help St. Augustine wrap up district title with a win over the Panthers. N4J pick: (8) Columbia 52, Ridgeview 14.
Englewood (0-6) at Riverside (1-6), 6:30 p.m.: Generals have struggled but won’t lose here. N4J pick: Riverside 48, Englewood 0.
Fernandina Beach (5-2) at Yulee (6-0): Hornets will be unbeaten heading into district title clash with Raines. N4J pick: Yulee 35, Fernandina Beach 14.
First Coast (4-2) at (5) Oakleaf (5-1): Knights stay perfect in district to set up clash with Mandarin in two weeks. N4J pick: (5) Oakleaf 34, First Coast 14.
Flagler Palm Coast (2-4) at DeLand (6-0): The host Bulldogs just knocked off Mainland last week. N4J pick: DeLand 42, Flagler Palm Coast 14.
Fleming Island (3-3) at (9) Beachside (5-1): Barracudas close in on a district title. N4J pick: (9) Beachside 34, Fleming Island 17.
Fletcher (5-2) at (4) Mandarin (6-1), 6:30 p.m.: Mustangs should handle business to set up district title game against Oakleaf on Oct. 17. N4J pick: (4) Mandarin 31, Fletcher 13.
Fort White (3-3) at Zarephath Academy (3-4): Eagles won a huge game at Union County last week. N4J pick: Fort White 27, Zarephath Academy 20.
Gainesville Buchholz (6-1) at Tocoi Creek (3-3): Bobcats have reached the state semifinals the last four seasons. N4J pick: Buchholz 34, Tocoi Creek 7.
Hawthorne (4-1) at University Christian (5-2): Tough game for the Christians. Hornets are good. N4J pick: Hawthorne 28, University Christian 21.
Impact Christian (3-3) at Paxon (4-3), 6:30 p.m.: Lions have lost three straight in one-sided games, but they bounce back here. N4J pick: Impact Christian 33, Paxon 30.
Jackson (3-3) at Bolles (5-1): Xander Edwards finally rested from 522-yard game. N4J pick: (3) Bolles 42, Jackson 6.
Joshua Christian (2-4) at Deltona Trinity Christian (0-0): Win for the visitors. N4J pick: Joshua Christian 30, Trinity Christian 6.
Keswick Christian (6-1) at Eagle’s View (4-3): Warriors drop a home game. N4J pick: Keswick Christian 24, Eagle’s View 20.
Madison County (2-4) at (2) Raines (5-0), 6:30 p.m.: This is a good test for the Vikings. N4J pick: (2) Raines 34, Madison County 13.
(6) Nease (4-2) at Bartram Trail (2-4): Bears are surging and Panthers are reeling, but I think Nease gets back on track. N4J pick: (6) Nease 31, Bartram Trail 21.
Newberry (3-3) at (7) Bradford (6-1): Redemption for a pair of losses last year comes this week for the Tornadoes. N4J pick: (7) Bradford 35, Newberry 8.
Old Plank Christian (5-2) at Gainesville Oak Hall (5-1): Give me the Defenders in an upset. N4J pick: Old Plank 21, Oak Hall 20.
Ponte Vedra (4-2) at Middleburg (6-0): Road gets more difficult this week for the Broncos. Can they step up? N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 33, Middleburg 21.
(1) St. Augustine (6-0) at Clay (1-5): Jackets will sew up a district title this week. N4J pick: (1) St. Augustine 42, Clay 14.
Sandalwood (0-7) at (10) White (5-1), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders still haven’t beaten a team with a winning record, but the schedule ramps up down the stretch. N4J pick: (10) White 38, Sandalwood 14.
Sante Fe (4-2) at Keystone Heights (0-6): Indians are headed towards a winless season. N4J pick: Santa Fe 28, Keystone Heights 14.
Suwannee (1-5) at Baker County (3-4): Always a good rivalry clash. N4J pick: Baker County 28, Suwannee 21.
Trinity Christian (2-4) at Episcopal (6-1): Conquerors have struggled against quality teams this year, but close in on getting back to .500. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 34, Episcopal 14.
West Nassau (7-1) at Satellite (7-0): Warriors stay on pace for a nine-win regular season. N4J pick: West Nassau 33, Satellite 20.
West Oaks Academy (2-5) at St. Joseph (6-0): Flashes stay perfect. N4J pick: St. Joseph 28, West Oaks 13.
Westside (0-6) at Parker (0-5), 6:30 p.m.: Someone will win their first game of the season. The other will likely go winless. N4J pick: Parker 27, Westside 20.
OFF: Cedar Creek Christian, Crescent City, Hilliard, KIPP Bold City, NFEI, Orange Park, Palatka, Providence, Ribault, Union County.