Varsity 4 Super 10: Reigning champ Raines starts title defense at No. 1

Justin Barney, News4JAX sports editor

Published: August 18, 2026 at 1:21 PMUpdated: August 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school football regular season is off and rolling. News4JAX Varsity 4 Super 10 is here. It will be published on Tuesday through the end of the regular season. Think we’ve got a team ranked too high or a program not ranked at all? Send us a message on Instagram (@Sports4Jax) or sports@wjxt.com. For the Super 10 Coaches poll for Week 1, check that out here.

Varsity 4 News4JAX Super 10 rankings, Week 1

Rank, school, record last year, classification

1. Raines (14-0), Class 3A

This week: at (9) Oakleaf. Coaches poll ranking: 1.

Why they’re here: The Vikings are unquestionably the area’s top team. They’re 27-1 over the last two seasons and won the Class 3A state championship last year. The schedule is beefed up and the expectations are for no less than another run to the title game.

2. Bolles (13-2), Class 2A

This week: vs. (8) Columbia. Coaches poll ranking: 2.

Why they’re here: Our Varsity 4 players of the year both return and are both junior stars for the Bulldogs (RB Xander Edwards and edge Asher Ghioto). How strong will the offensive line be this season after a mass graduation on that unit?

3. Mandarin (11-2, Class 5A)

This week: at McArthur, Broward County Showcase. Coaches poll ranking: 4.

Why they’re here: The Mustangs have a QB who is committed to Miami and perhaps the top overall junior in the country in Brysen Wright. But the Mustangs will do the bulk of their damage on the ground behind Queze Foster and a nasty defense.

4. Nease (9-3, Class 5A)

This week: at Creekside. Coaches poll ranking: 6.

Why they’re here: I’m not concerned with how Ed White rang up 30 points in three quarters against the Panthers in the kickoff classic. This offense will be strong once again and the defense will be good when the starters play the whole way.

5. St. Augustine (11-2, Class 4A)

This week: at Palatka. Coaches poll ranking: 3.

Why they’re here: They’re a model of consistency. The Yellow Jackets have missed the state playoffs one time in the last 27 seasons (2021). There are some significant graduation losses, but the defense will be very, very good. Out of the backfield, look for a big season for RB Durell Preston.

6. Ed White (9-3, Class 4A)

This week: vs. (7) Trinity Christian, 6:30 p.m. Coaches poll ranking: 5.

Why they’re here: The Commanders were the highest scoring regular season team in state history last year with 537 points. But half of those wins were against some of the Gateway’s leanest teams (Englewood, Parker, Riverside, Sandalwood, Westside) who were a combined 5-44. They outscored those teams by a combined 306-65. The Commanders have major potential, they just need to show it against quality teams.

7. Trinity Christian (10-4, Class 1A)

This week: at (6) Ed White, 6:30 p.m. Coaches poll ranking: 7.

Why they’re here: The Conquerors under Verlon Dorminey are a threat every season. They’ve been young and hungry the last two years and reached the state semifinals each time. This may be Trinity’s best opportunity since 2021 to bring home a state championship.

8. Columbia (9-3, Class 4A)

This week: at (2) Bolles. Coaches poll ranking: 9.

Why they’re here: The Tigers really could have challenged for a spot in the state semifinals last year had they been able to finish the game strong against Choctawhatchee. Columbia has big-time potential. The question will be do they have enough offensive firepower against teams like Bolles.

9. Oakleaf (8-3, Class 5A)

This week: vs. (1) Raines. Coaches poll ranking: 8.

Why they’re here: The Knights are little young on the offensive side of the ball this year. They’ve got transfer Jaidan Delaune at QB and the steady and experienced Mike Conner contributing all over the place. Mason Thomas returns as a veteran presence on defensive front.

10. University Christian (9-4, Class 1A)

This week: at Ponte Vedra. Coaches poll ranking: NR.

Why they’re here: The Christians are going to be strong up front defensively with Julius LaRosa the enforcer on the line. They’ve got a difficult enough schedule to prep them for the postseason and what should be an annual elimination clash against Trinity Christian.

On the bubble

Baker County (4-7, Class 3A); Baldwin (7-4, Class 2A); Beachside (8-4, Class 5A); Bishop Kenny (10-3, Class 3A); Bradford (11-2, Class 2A); Fleming Island (6-4, Class 5A); Fletcher (6-4, Class 5A); Middleburg (8-3, Class 4A); Ponte Vedra (11-3, Class 5A).