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: 21-3. Season: 358-72 (.833).
Recommended Videos
Regional semifinals
Friday, Nov. 21
Region 1-6A
(4) Nease (9-2) at (1) Buchholz (10-1): Panthers are unreal on defense, but can they beat the Bobcats at Citizens Field? N4J pick: Buchholz 27, Nease 20.
(3) Pace (10-1) at (2) Mandarin (10-1), 6:30 p.m.: Patriots have a legit defense so this is going to be a slugfest. N4J pick: Mandarin 21, Pace 20.
Region 1-5A
(4) Beachside (8-3) at (1) Ponte Vedra (9-2): Rematch of a district game, won by the Barracudas. Sharks edged a better-than-expected No. 8 seed Niceville last week. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 31, Beachside 29.
Region 1-4A
(4) White (9-2) at (1) St. Augustine (10-1): Rematch of a second-round clash from last year. Defense will be optional in this one. N4J pick: St. Augustine 56, Ed White 45.
(3) Columbia (9-2) at (2) Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (10-1): Choctaw is going to get its rematch against St. Augustine. N4J pick: Choctaw 33, Columbia 21.
Region 1-3A
(5) West Florida (7-4) at (1) Raines (10-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings have an elite defense and they’re showing it weekly. N4J pick: Raines 42, West Florida 7.
(7) Godby (5-6) at (3) Bishop Kenny (9-2): Crusaders get a surprising home game after Cougars pulled the upset. They stay on track for Raines game. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 31, Godby 23.
Region 1-2A
(4) Florida High (5-6) at (1) Bolles (10-1): March to the final four continues. N4J pick: Bolles 42, Florida High 20.
Region 2-2A
(5) Berkeley Prep (5-4) at (1) Bradford (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: This will be a closer than expected game. N4J pick: Bradford 28, Berkeley Prep 14.
Region 1-1A
(5) Impact Christian (8-3) at (1) University Christian (8-3): Can’t believe I didn’t pick the Lions last week and they won 36-nil. I think the Christians are just too deep for the Lions. N4J pick: UC 35, Impact 16.
(3) Maclay (8-3) at (2) Trinity Christian (7-4): Said all year that the Conquerors were headed to at least the regional finals. No stopping here. N4J pick: Trinity 34, Maclay 17.
Florida Invitational Tournament
FIT 2 (Class 4A-7A division)
Thursday, Nov. 20
(6) Bartram Trail (4-7) at (2) Tate (8-3): Tough road trip for the Bears. N4J pick: Tate 48, Bartram Trail 35.
FIT 1
Class 1A-3A division
North bracket
(5) Jackson (5-6) at (1) Dunnellon (5-6): Picked against the Tigers last week and I shouldn’t have, but Dunnellon is always a tough out. N4J pick: Dunnellon 31, Jackson 13.
(NR) Hudson (5-6) at (3) Palatka (5-6): Panthers keep on going. N4J pick: Palatka 27, Hudson 20.
FIT Rural
(9) Wildwood (2-9) at (1) Fort White (6-4): Indians should have been in the state series Rural playoffs instead of this bracket. N4J pick: Fort White 28, Wildwood 10.
Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs, Round 3
Atlantic League state championship game
West Nassau (12-1) vs. Delray Beach American Heritage (9-3), at The Villages Charter: I think the dream season comes up a tad short. N4J pick: American Heritage 28, West Nassau 20.