JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s the 11th week of the high school football season with games split across Thursday and Friday night. Teams in the Sunshine State Athletic Association are in the state playoffs, while teams in the Florida High School Athletic Association are trying to nail down the final remaining berths for the postseason.
Here are four games to watch followed by other games that have things at stake, too. All games begin at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
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Top four games to watch
(3) Bolles (8-1) at (7) Columbia (8-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Another excellent regular season finale. The Bulldogs cruised in this game last year (42-17) but lost in 2023 (35-31). The big question is can Columbia score enough to keep up in this game? Yes, the Tigers are averaging 28.6 points per game, but its opposition has been lean. In two games against opponents with winning records (St. Augustine, Trinity Christian), Columbia averaged 24 points. That’s not going to be enough to slow down a Bolles offense that has a wrecking ball of a RB in Xander Edwards (1,723 rushing yards, 27 TDs) and a game-breaking WR in Naeem Burroughs (767 receiving yards, 8 TDs). The Tigers have playmakers at receiver (Kyren Caldwell has 7 TD catches) and QB Xavier Collins (14 TD passes). But Columbia would prefer to drag this into a physical defensive battle. And both teams have elite playmakers on that side of the ball. LB Kam Mills (19 TFL, 10 sacks, 68 tackles, 2 INT) is in the defensive player of the year conversation at Columbia along with Bolles edge Asher Ghioto (58 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 17 sacks).
(4) Mandarin (8-1) at (2) St. Augustine (9-0), Thursday
The Varsity 4 Game of the Week is an excellent one. St. Augustine leads the all-time series 2-1, including a 38-26 win last year. The Yellow Jackets will likely climb back to the No. 1 spot in the Region 1-4A bracket with a win here, which would be significant so that they wouldn’t have to travel for a potential regional final to Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee. St. Augustine has spent time ranked No. 1 in both the Varsity 4 Super 10 and the Coaches Poll. The Yellow Jackets have wins over Super 10 teams in Nease, Columbia and Bolles. QB Brenton James (2,184 passing yards, 27 TDs, 227 rushing yards, 4 TDs) has been elite in his first year as a starter. He’s got a sound running game led by RBs Trendell Anderson and Durell Preston (combined 868 yards, 17 TDs). His big weapons are at receiver where Julio Santiago and Somourian Wingo are in the mix as the area’s top pass catching duo. They’re closing in on 1,500 yards combined through the air and 17 TDs. St. Augustine has been susceptible to giving up a lot on defense. It’s one thing for that to happen in a game against 2-8 Riverside, and another for it to happen against a powerful Mandarin team. RBs Shaunqueze Foster (783 rushing yards, 9 TDs) and Kyree Wilson (512 rushing yards, 4 TDs) are a strong duo out of the backfield. WR Brysen Wright is a nightmare (35 catches, 799 yards, 7 TDs) for DBs, but he’s a darn good one himself. He had his third pick-six of the season last week. Brody Jennings has four of Mandarin’s 16 interceptions. And this Mustangs defense is good. LB Izzy Ratliff and DL Kindrid Outland are beasts in that defensive front seven.
Trinity Christian (5-4) at Fletcher (6-3), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
The Conquerors have turned things around after a 1-4 start and already have a playoff spot locked in. They reached the state semifinals last year, even with a team that was exceptionally young. Fletcher is in a win-or-else spot. The Senators began the week in the dreaded No. 9 spot in the region, one away from making the playoffs. Eighth-seeded Crestview, buoyed by a massive strength of schedule edge over the Senators (7.44 to 3.44), leads by nearly two full ratings points for the final playoff spot in 1-6A. Even a win over Trinity (and a Crestview win over a 2-7 Fort Walton Beach) may not be enough to get the Senators up a spot higher. The Senators have been clipped by big injuries to its starting RB and QB, but they managed to edge First Coast last week. WRs on Fletcher can play. Joshua Jones and Diondre Smith have a combined 19 TD grabs. And LB Will Reynolds has turned in an excellent junior season. The Conquerors remain a young and ascending team, but they seem to have figured it out after a tough start. Freshman RB Micah Anderson (771 rushing yards, 7 TDs), QB Terel Dallas (429 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 1,075 passing yards, 8 TDs) and WR Markel Hicks (474 receiving yards, 4 TDs) have been the most consistent players on offense for Trinity. Sophomore DB Zakhari Greene has a team-best four picks for the Conquerors.
White (7-2) at Baldwin (7-2), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
A really good final week showdown between two playoff-bound teams with explosive offenses (and shaky defenses). That means points will be aplenty. In White’s two losses, it has allowed 96 points (Oakleaf, Merritt Island). In Baldwin’s two defeats, the Indians have given up 124 points (Baker County, Bolles). Both teams have very good throwing QBs. Baldwin’s Stephen Screws (1,916 passing yards, 22 TDs) can air it out and Ed White’s King Boylston (1,597 passing yards, 21 TDs) can flip things around quick. Boylston also brings a running ability that has churned out 578 yards on the ground and eight TDs. Sophomore RB Rontrez Loyd (600 rushing yards, 11 TDs) leads the Commanders on the ground. And Boylston has two really good WRs to throw to, King Mercer (565 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Nick Roberson (512 receiving yards, 9 TDs). On defense, Julian Holt (82 tackles, 11 for loss, 3 picks) and DL Johnny Duckett (61 tackles, 16 for loss, 6 sacks) lead the way. Baldwin can move the ball. Screws has a strong RB behind him in Nashawn Jacobs (985 rushing yards, 14 TDs). WRs John Harvey and Jaiden Barnett have combined for 1,131 receiving yards and 15 TDs. The schedules have been lean for both. Of the combined 14 wins, only one, White’s victory over Trinity Christian in Week 1, has come against a team over .500.
Other games of note in Week 11
Baker County (4-5) at Fort White (5-4), Friday, 7:30 p.m. : The Wildcats are the No. 8 seed this week, and could have room to climb up with a win here. The Indians are also in the Rural playoff field as the No. 16 seed this week, and are probably safe in that spot regardless.
Beachside (6-2) at (5) Nease (7-2), Thursday: The Barracudas can still win the district title by beating Fleming Island next week, but they’ve looked shaky their last two times out. They’re a No. 4 seed now, but could drop at least another spot with an L here. In Region 1-6A, Nease is a No. 4 seed, and could move to a 3 with a win and a Pace loss to Milton.
Bishop Kenny (7-2) at Providence (4-5), Thursday: The Stallions are likely going to miss the playoffs with a loss here and an NFEI win over Young Kids in Motion. An upset win by Providence will lock them in to the postseason.
Englewood (0-9) at Wolfson (3-6), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: What’s better than a rivalry win for the best finish since 5-5 in 2022? Rams haven’t been 0-10 since 2012.
First Coast (4-5) at Jackson (4-5), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: The Tigers are No. 9 in Region 1-2A and need a win here to move into the No. 8 spot.
Fleming Island (5-3) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-6), Friday: The Golden Eagles won’t win District 3-5A and wouldn’t be in the postseason if the season started today. But they can get into the playoffs with a win here and a win over Beachside on Nov. 4.
Menendez (3-6) at Yulee (7-2), Friday: Playoffs are the longest of the long shots for the Falcons. They’re in ninth place and probably too far back to jump No. 8 Baker County. But a win gets them started. The Hornets’ 7-0 start has evaporated in two blowout losses, and the strength of schedule is bad. But a win locks them into the No. 4 spot, and they’d likely get a home playoff game in round one.
Parker (2-6) at Sandalwood (0-9), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: The Saints are mired in a miserable 29-game losing streak. What better way to end that than with a win over its biggest rival?
(9) Ponte Vedra (7-2) at Creekside (4-5), Thursday: Always a good rivalry game, the Sharks are still in the mix for a district title and No. 1 seed in Region 1-5A. That No. 1 seed chance vanishes with a loss. The Knights are locked into a No. 8 seed and will likely visit DeLand in the opener.
(1) Raines (8-0) at Atlantic Coast (4-5), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Vikings are going to wrap up back-to-back perfect seasons for head coach Donovan Masline. They’re ranked No. 2 in Class 3A behind 9-0 Miami Northwestern.
Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs
(6) Franklin County (6-3) at (3) Paxon (6-4), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: The Golden Eagles were DQ’d from the playoffs after a fight at the end of a game they were winning. This is Paxon’s season to bounce back. On paper, it should be Paxon or West Nassau representing this part of the bracket come state championship time.
(6) St. Joseph (9-0) at (3) Foundation Academy (8-2), Friday: Tough Sunshine State playoff opener for the unbeaten Flashes. They’re good enough to reach the final in the 11-man state championship division bracket.
(8) Stanton (5-5) at (1) West Nassau (9-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.: The Warriors were upset in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs last year by Fernandina Beach. This is the get right season. West Nassau has the talent to reach the title game.
Week 11 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 30
Bartram Trail (2-7) at Ribault (1-8), 6:30 p.m.
Beachside (6-2) at Nease (7-2)
Bishop Kenny (7-2) at Providence (4-5)
Clay (2-7) at Orange Park (3-6)
Crescent City (3-6) at Keystone Heights (0-9), 7:30 p.m.
Englewood (0-9) at Wolfson (3-6), 6:30 p.m.
Episcopal (6-3) at Ridgeview (2-7)
First Coast (4-5) at Jackson (4-5), 6:30 p.m.
Mandarin (8-1) at St. Augustine (9-0)
NFEI (5-4) at Young Kids in Motion (2-6)
North Marion (2-7) at Middleburg (7-2)
Palatka (3-6) at Zarephath Academy (3-6)
Parker (2-6) at Sandalwood (0-9), 6:30 p.m.
Ponte Vedra (7-2) at Creekside (4-5)
Raines (8-0) at Atlantic Coast (4-5), 6:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian (5-4) at Fletcher (6-3), 6:30 p.m.
University Christian (6-3) at Key West (6-3)
White (7-2) at Baldwin (7-2), 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31
Baker County (4-5) at Fort White (5-4), 7:30 p.m.
Bolles (8-1) at Columbia (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Chiefland (8-1) at Union County (2-6), 7:30 p.m.
Fleming Island (5-3) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-6)
Hilliard (3-6) at Atkinson County (8-1)
KIPP Bold City (0-9) at Williston (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Matanzas (6-3) at Palm Bay Magnet (2-7)
Menendez (3-6) at Yulee (7-2)
Oakleaf (7-2) at Tocoi Creek (4-5)
P.K. Yonge (0-9) at Impact Christian (6-3)
Suwannee (1-8) at Chiles (5-4)
Off: Bradford, Cornerstone Classical, Riverside, Westside.
Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs
Atlantic League state championship division
(8) Stanton (5-5) at (1) West Nassau (9-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.
(7) Bell (5-4) at (2) Fernandina Beach (5-5)
(6) Franklin County (6-3) at (3) Paxon (6-4), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
11-man division, Class 3A
(5) Duval Charter (3-7) at (4) Orangewood Christian (5-4)
(6) Seven Rivers Christian (3-7) at (3) Christ’s Church (7-3), Thursday, 6 p.m.
11-man division, Class 2A
(4) Cedar Creek Christian (0-9) at (1) Lighthouse Private (3-6)
(3) Rocky Bayou Christian (3-5) at (2) Bishop Snyder (4-6), 6 p.m.
11-man division, Class 1A
(3) Harvest Community (1-8) at (2) Geneva School (1-9), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
11-man state championship division
(8) Eagle’s View (6-4) at (1) Mount Dora Christian (9-1)
(7) Old Plank Christian (8-2) at (2) Lake Highland Prep (6-2)
(6) St. Joseph (9-0) at (3) Foundation Academy (8-2)
Atlantic League 1A state championship division
(2) Bronson (0-10) at (1) Interlachen (2-8)