JACKSONVILLE, – 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: 36-7. Season: 307-65 (.825).
Recommended Videos
Week 11 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 30
Bartram Trail (2-7) at Ribault (1-8), 6:30 p.m.: Bears have fallen this year, but they end on a high note. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 38, Ribault 13.
Beachside (6-2) at (5) Nease (7-2): Barracudas have been erratic as of late and the Panthers have found another gear on defense. N4J pick: (5) Nease 38, Beachside 20.
Bishop Kenny (7-2) at Providence (4-5): Excellent regular season for the Crusaders. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 34, Providence 7.
Clay (2-7) at Orange Park (3-6): Raiders nearly beat Beachside last week. N4J pick: Orange Park 31, Clay 14.
Crescent City (3-6) at Keystone Heights (0-9), 7:30 p.m.: Raiders sink Indians to winless season. N4J pick: Crescent City 31, Keystone Heights 10.
Englewood (0-9) at Wolfson (3-6), 6:30 p.m.: Wolfpack win against their biggest opponent. N4J pick: Wolfson 34, Englewood 6.
Episcopal (6-3) at Ridgeview (2-7): Eagles should win this one easily. N4J pick: Episcopal 28, Ridgeview 14.
First Coast (4-5) at Jackson (4-5), 6:30 p.m.: Tigers need to win to have a shot at the playoffs. N4J pick: First Coast 31, Jackson 14.
(4) Mandarin (8-1) at (2) St. Augustine (9-0): Jackets wrap up unbeaten regular season in a good one. N4J pick: (2) St. Augustine 28, (4) Mandarin 21.
NFEI (5-4) at Young Kids in Motion (2-6): Eagles need a win and a Providence loss this week. N4J pick: NFEI 44, Young Kids in Motion 6.
North Marion (2-7) at Middleburg (7-2): Loss last week stung the Broncos, but they can bounce back with a win. N4J pick: Middleburg 28, North Marion 14.
Palatka (3-6) at Zarephath Academy (3-6): Panthers really could have been quite a bit better recordwise than they are. N4J pick: Palatka 28, Zarephath 20.
Parker (2-6) at Sandalwood (0-9), 6:30 p.m.: Braves send Saints to 30th consecutive loss. N4J pick: Parker 33, Sandalwood 24.
(9) Ponte Vedra (7-2) at Creekside (4-5): Sharks go into state playoffs on a tear. N4J pick: (9) Ponte Vedra 31, Creekside 20.
(1) Raines (8-0) at Atlantic Coast (4-5), 6:30 p.m.: Won’t be close. Vikings just too much. N4J pick: (1) Raines 52, Atlantic Coast 7.
Trinity Christian (5-4) at Fletcher (6-3), 6:30 p.m.: Senators need a win and some help to make the playoffs. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 27, Fletcher 21.
University Christian (6-3) at Key West (6-3): Christians would like to nail down No. 1 seed in their playoff region. N4J pick: University Christian 21, Key West 20.
(10) White (7-2) at Baldwin (7-2), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders’ defense has been shaky, but they can put up points in a hurry. N4J pick: (10) White 54, Baldwin 45.
Friday, Oct. 31
Baker County (4-5) at Fort White (5-4), 7:30 p.m.: Wildcats need to win here to hammer down playoff spot. N4J pick: Baker County 28, Fort White 20.
(3) Bolles (8-1) at (7) Columbia (8-1), 7:30 p.m.: Game of the night, but Bulldogs are too much. N4J pick: (3) Bolles 34, (7) Columbia 20.
Chiefland (8-1) at Union County (2-6), 7:30 p.m.: Forgettable season wraps up for the Tigers. N4J pick: Chiefland 34, Union County 6.
Fleming Island (5-3) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-6): A strong finish can push Golden Eagles into the playoffs. N4J pick: Fleming Island 28, Flagler Palm Coast 20.
Hilliard (3-6) at Atkinson County (8-1): Tough finish for Red Flashes. N4J pick: Atkinson County 44, Hilliard 14.
KIPP Bold City (0-9) at Williston (8-1), 7:30 p.m.: Greyhounds get a tough opponent to wrap up a winless season. N4J pick: Williston 54, KIPP Bold City 6.
Matanzas (6-3) at Palm Bay Magnet (2-7): Pirates need to win in order to keep faint playoff hopes alive. N4J pick: Matanzas 27, Palm Bay Magnet 14.
Menendez (3-6) at Yulee (7-2): Hornets need to end their slide. N4J pick: Yulee 31, Menendez 20.
(8) Oakleaf (7-2) at Tocoi Creek (4-5): Knights get their offense back on track. N4J pick: (8) Oakleaf 33, Tocoi Creek 13.
P.K. Yonge (0-9) at Impact Christian (6-3): Lions are playoff bound. N4J pick: Impact Christian 31, P.K. Yonge 13.
Suwannee (1-8) at Chiles (5-4): Been a tough year for the Bulldogs. N4J pick: Chiles 34, Suwannee 30.
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.: Warriors are going to play for a title. N4J pick: West Nassau 35, Stanton 13.
(7) Bell (5-4) at (2) Fernandina Beach (5-5): Can Pirates snap out of a five-game losing streak? N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 24, Bell 21.
(6) Franklin County (6-3) at (3) Paxon (6-4), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles should have played for a title last season. N4J pick: Paxon 28, Franklin County 21.
11-man division, Class 3A
(5) Duval Charter (3-7) at (4) Orangewood Christian (5-4): Rams cool off the hot Panthers, winners of three straight. N4J pick: Orangewood Christian 33, Duval Charter 31.
(6) Seven Rivers Christian (3-7) at (3) Christ’s Church (7-3), Thursday, 6 p.m.: Eagles with the home playoff win. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 24, Seven Rivers Christian 20.
11-man division, Class 2A
(4) Cedar Creek Christian (0-9) at (1) Lighthouse Private (3-6): Saints finish winless season. N4J pick: Lighthouse Private 35, Cedar Creek Christian 7.
(3) Rocky Bayou Christian (3-5) at (2) Bishop Snyder (4-6), 6 p.m.: Cardinals have hit some rough spots, but they win here. N4J pick: Bishop Snyder 31, Rocky Bayou 21.
11-man division, Class 1A
(3) Harvest Community (1-8) at (2) Geneva School (1-9), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Close, but the Warriors drop their playoff opener. N4J pick: Geneva School 34, Harvest 14.
11-man state championship division
(8) Eagle’s View (6-4) at (1) Mount Dora Christian (9-1): Warriors just faced Mount Dora Christian and it wasn’t pretty. N4J pick: Mount Dora Christian 33, Eagle’s View 7.
(7) Old Plank Christian (8-2) at (2) Lake Highland Prep (6-2): Tough game for the Defenders, but I’m rolling with them. N4J pick: Old Plank 31, Lake Highland Prep 30.
(6) St. Joseph (9-0) at (3) Foundation Academy (8-2): Flashes stay perfect in a close one. N4J pick: St. Joseph 33, Foundation Academy 30.
Atlantic League 1A state championship division
(2) Bronson (0-10) at (1) Interlachen (2-8): Rams with the W. N4J pick: Interlachen 28, Bronson 7.