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: 16-0. Season: 374-72 (.839).
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Regional finals
Friday, Nov. 28
Region 1-6A
(2) Mandarin (11-1) at (1) Gainesville Buchholz (11-1), 7:30 p.m.: I’d been saying this was Buchholz’s region to lose, and I still think it is. But Mandarin has been on the warpath. Give me the Mustangs in an upset to end the four-year Buchholz semifinal run. N4J pick: Mandarin 31, Buchholz 30.
Region 1-5A
(2) Daytona Beach Mainland (9-2) at (1) Ponte Vedra (10-2), 7 p.m.: I want to pick the Sharks here, but I think the Bucs are going to somehow win this one at the finish. N4J pick: Mainland 28, Ponte Vedra 21.
Region 1-4A
(2) Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (11-1) at (1) St. Augustine (11-1), 7 p.m.: Yellow Jackets just know how to beat Choctaw. This will be the third straight regional final win over the Indians. N4J pick: St. Augustine 20, Choctaw 14.
Region 1-3A
(3) Bishop Kenny (10-2) at (1) Raines (11-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings have been locked in on a return trip to Miami. No stopping them here. N4J pick: Raines 43, Bishop Kenny 14.
Region 1-2A
(2) Pensacola Catholic (11-1) at (1) Bolles (11-1), 7 p.m.: Nope. Not a trap game. Bulldogs roll. N4J pick: Bolles 38, Pensacola Catholic 20.
Region 2-2A
(3) Cocoa (7-4) at (1) Bradford (11-1), 7:30 p.m.: Back and forth on this game all week. Tigers aren’t what they have been, but they’re a three-time defending state champ for a reason. N4J pick: Cocoa 24, Bradford 21.
Region 1-1A
(2) Trinity Christian (8-4) at (1) University Christian (9-3), 7:30 p.m.: Tough call here. Christians are the deeper team, but I think Trinity is going to find a way to scratch out a win. N4J pick: Trinity 26, UC 21.