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: 32-2. Season: 240-54 (.816).
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Week 9 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 16
Riverside (2-6) at (3) Bolles (6-1): Bulldogs need only to worry about injuries at this point. N4J pick: (3) Bolles 42, Riverside 14.
Trinity Prep (4-4) at Cedar Creek Christian (0-7): Saints still in search of their first win. N4J pick: Trinity Prep 27, Cedar Creek 14.
Friday, Oct. 17
Baldwin (5-3) at Ribault (1-6), 6:30 p.m.: Indians stay on track for a playoff spot. N4J pick: Baldwin 31, Ribault 13.
Bartram Trail (2-5) at St. Augustine (7-0): Jackets have controlled this series. N4J pick: (1) St. Augustine 38, Bartram Trail 13.
(9) Beachside (5-1) at Middleburg (6-1): Barracudas have won five straight and have district title within their grasp. N4J pick: (9) Beachside 35, Middleburg 14.
Bishop Snyder (4-4) at Old Plank Christian (6-2): Defenders are on the rise. N4J pick: Old Plank Christian 30, Bishop Snyder 14.
Christ’s Church (5-3) at Cornerstone Charter (5-3): Eagles stay on track for a strong finish. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 28, Cornerstone Charter 21.
Creekside (4-4) at (2) Raines (6-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings got a test last week. Will Knights provide another one? N4J pick: (2) Raines 42, Creekside 14.
Crescent City (2-5) at Palatka (1-6): Panthers get win No. 2. N4J pick: Palatka 28, Crescent City 14.
Duval Charter (1-7) at Joshua Christian (5-2): Win No. 6 for the Eagles. N4J pick: Joshua Christian 28, Duval Charter 8.
Eagle’s View (5-3) at Port Orange Atlantic (0-7): Warriors keep Sharks winless. N4J pick: Eagle’s View 21, Atlantic 17.
Fernandina Beach (5-3) at Clay (1-6): Pirates back after a three-game losing streak. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 21, Clay 20.
First Coast (4-3) at Bishop Kenny (5-2): Crusaders continue to bolster their playoff points standing. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 33, First Coast 20.
Gainesville Eastside (5-2) at Sandalwood (0-8), 6:30 p.m.: Saints will go into Week 11 against Parker trying to end a 29-game losing streak. N4J pick: Eastside 34, Sandalwood 14.
Gainesville Oak Hall (5-2) at St. Joseph (7-0): Flashes stay perfect. N4J pick: St. Joseph 34, Oak Hall 20.
Interlachen (2-6) at Hilliard (2-5): Red Flashes pick up a third win. N4J pick: Hilliard 28, Interlachen 27.
Jackson (3-4) at Englewood (0-7), 6:30 p.m.: Tigers get back to .500 on the season. N4J pick: Jackson 34, Englewood 6.
Jordan Christian Prep (0-0) at Young Kids in Motion (1-5): Ravens with the W. N4J pick: Young Kids in Motion 21, Jordan Christian Prep 0.
Keystone Heights (0-7) at Chiefland (7-1): Indians stay winless. N4J pick: Chiefland 38, Keystone Heights 7.
Lincoln (4-2) at Trinity Christian (3-4): Conquerors are probably an underdog in this one but here’s to an upset. N4J pick: Trinity 28, Lincoln 26.
Menendez (3-4) at Tocoi Creek (3-4): Toros win in a St. Johns County showdown. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 34, Menendez 27.
(6) Nease (5-2) at Atlantic Coast (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: Panthers have a chance to finish 8-2. N4J pick: (6) Nease 38, Atlantic Coast 6.
NFEI (3-4) at Gainesville P.K. Yonge (0-7): Eagles get back to .500 with a win here. N4J pick: NFEI 28, P.K. Yonge 14.
Newberry (3-4) at Fort White (4-3), 7:30 p.m.: Panthers knock the Indians back to .500. N4J pick: Newberry 34, Fort White 28.
(5) Oakleaf (6-1) at (10) White (6-1), 6:30 p.m.: Knights win a Super 10 showdown. N4J pick: (5) Oakleaf 28, (10) White 21.
Orange Park (3-4) at Ponte Vedra (5-2): Sharks are in good position for a higher playoff seed. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 38, Orange Park 14.
Parker (1-5) at Fleming Island (3-3): Golden Eagles need to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. N4J pick: Fleming Island 33, Parker 13.
Paxon (4-4) at Wildwood (1-6): Golden Eagles have losses to some quality teams. N4J pick: Paxon 33, Wildwood 13.
Providence (3-4) at KIPP Bold City (0-7), 6:30 p.m.: Stallions stay on pace for district title game against UC next week. N4J pick: Providence 35, KIPP Bold City 6.
Ridgeview (2-5) at Impact Christian (4-3): Lions start a winning streak as season hits final stretch. N4J pick: Impact Christian 28, Ridgeview 14.
Suwannee (1-5) at Taylor County (6-1), 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs on Bulldogs battle here. N4J pick: Taylor County 34, Suwannee 7.
Tallahassee Leon (2-4) at (7) Bradford (7-1): Tornadoes are headed to a 9-1 season. N4J pick: (7) Bradford 33, Leon 6.
Union County (2-4) at Trinity Catholic (2-4), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers have had a disappointing season. N4J pick: Trinity Catholic 28, Union County 20.
Westside (0-7) at Stanton (4-4), 6:30 p.m.: Blue Devils could finish with six wins or better this year. N4J pick: Stanton 28, Westside 14.
Yulee (7-0) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-5): Hornets stay perfect ahead of district clash with Raines in Week 10. N4J pick: Yulee 31, Flagler Palm Coast 14.
Zarephath Academy (3-5) at Gadsden County (1-5): Can Eagles pull a road upset against a team that’s better than their record? N4J pick: Gadsden County 28, Zarephath 20.
Zephyrhills Christian (2-5) at Cornerstone Classical Academy (0-5): Spartans stay in search of their first win. N4J pick: Zephyrhills Christian 34, Cornerstone Classical 14.
OFF: Baker County, Columbia, Episcopal, Fletcher, Mandarin, Matanzas, University Christian, West Nassau, Wolfson.