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: 3-1. Season: 337-69 (.830).
Recommended Videos
Regional quarterfinal playoffs
All games Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. unless indicated
Region 1-7A
(8) Creekside (4-6) at (1) DeLand (10-0): Great season for the Knights but a tough opener here. N4J pick: DeLand 41, Creekside 20.
Region 1-6A
(5) Oakleaf (8-2) at (4) Nease (8-2), 7:30 p.m.: Knights won this game last year, but I like the Panthers defense this time around. N4J pick: Nease 31, Oakleaf 20.
(7) Crestview (6-3) at (2) Mandarin (9-1), 6:30 p.m.: Mustangs can push Buchholz for region superiority. N4J pick: Mandarin 30, Crestview 20.
Region 1-5A
(8) Niceville (6-4) at (1) Ponte Vedra (8-2): Sharks have a shot to win this region. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 28, Niceville 21.
(5) Milton (7-3) at (4) Beachside (7-3): Tough opener for the Barracudas. N4J pick: Milton 31, Beachside 27.
(7) Middleburg (8-2) at (2) Mainland (7-2), 7:30 p.m.: Broncos had a great regular season, but the Bucs are too much. N4J pick: Mainland 32, Middleburg 17.
Region 1-4A
(8) Arnold (3-7) at (1) St. Augustine (9-1), 7:30 p.m.: Jackets won a state championship 20 years ago. Can they do it again this year? N4J pick: St. Augustine 34, Arnold 13.
(5) Pine Forest (3-6) at (4) White (8-2), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders are elite on offense, but do they have the defense to stick around? N4J pick: White 38, Pine Forest 30.
(6) Rickards (3-7) at (3) Columbia (8-2), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers have got to find a way to manufacture more offense. N4J pick: Columbia 27, Rickards 14.
Region 1-3A
(8) Baker County (4-6) (1) Raines (9-0), 6:30 p.m.: March to Miami begins for the Vikings. N4J pick: Raines 51, Baker County 6.
(5) West Florida (6-4) at (4) Yulee (8-2), 7:30 p.m.: Hornets are at home, but this is a tough test. N4J pick: West Florida 31, Yulee 24.
(6) Wakulla (6-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (8-2): I think this will be a tough game, but Crusaders will prevail. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 28, Wakulla 20.
Region 1-2A
(8) Walton (4-6) at (1) Bolles (9-1): Bulldogs have state title talent this year. N4J pick: Bolles 42, Walton 14.
(5) Baldwin (7-3) at (4) Florida High (4-6), 7:30 p.m.: Indians are tough, but Florida High’s schedule prepared it for this stretch. N4J pick: Florida High 37, Baldwin 31.
Region 2-2A
(8) Avon Park (6-4) at (1) Bradford (9-1), 7:30 p.m.: State semifinals are the destination for the Tornadoes. N4J pick: Bradford 34, Avon Park 14.
Region 1-1A
(8) Trinity Catholic (4-5) at (1) University Christian (7-3), 7:30 p.m.: UC is bound for the third round in this region. N4J pick: UC 31, Trinity Catholic 13.
(5) Impact Christian (7-3) at (4) Episcopal (7-3): Coin flip game, but Eagles in a close one. N4J pick: Episcopal 28, Impact Christian 21.
(7) Providence (4-6) at (2) Trinity Christian (6-4): Conquerors and UC will square off soon. N4J pick: Trinity Christian 42, Providence 14.
(6) NFEI (6-4) at (3) Maclay (7-3), 7:30 p.m.: Eagles have some work to do here. N4J pick: Maclay 31, NFEI 20.
Florida Invitational Tournament
FIT 2 (Class 4A-7A division)
North bracket
(6) Bartram Trail (3-7) at (3) Matanzas (7-3), 7:30 p.m.: Bears move on in the FIT. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 31, Matanzas 28.
(7) First Coast (5-5) at (2) Tate (7-3), 7:30 p.m.: Long trip for the Buccaneers. N4J pick: Tate 31, First Coast 25.
FIT 1
Class 1A-3A division
North bracket
(5) Jackson (4-6) at (4) Weeki Wachee (7-3), 7:30 p.m.: Good season for the Tigers ends here. N4J pick: Weeki Wachee 28, Jackson 20.
(6) Wolfson (4-6) at (3) Palatka (4-6), 7:30 p.m.: I want to roll with the Wolfpack, but I think the Panthers emerge with the W. N4J pick: Palatka 31, Wolfson 27.
Sunshine State Athletic Association
Semifinals
Fernandina Beach (7-5) at West Nassau (11-1): Warriors have been waiting a year for this rematch. N4J pick: West Nassau 34, Fernandina Beach 30.