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. (Indicates Super 6 and Super 10 rankings).
Last week: 7-3. Season: 7-3.
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Week 1 State series
Friday, Aug. 21
Baker County at Clay: Wildcats in a new era under a familiar name. N4J pick: Baker County 21, Clay 14.
Beachside at KIPP Bold City, 6:30 p.m.: Barracudas graduated a ton, but they roll here. N4J pick: Beachside 44, KIPP Bold City 6.
Bishop Kenny at NFEI: Crusaders are going to surprise some people this year. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 34, NFEI 14.
(8) Columbia at (2) Bolles: Tigers don’t have enough offense to stay in this one. N4J pick: (2) Bolles 35, (8) Columbia 14.
Eastside at Fort White, 7:30 p.m.: Tough opener for the Indians. N4J pick: Eastside 28, Fort White 21.
First Coast at Ribault, 6:30 p.m.: Buccaneers start with a W. N4J pick: First Coast 27, Ribault 7.
Fleming Island at Atlantic Coast, 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles get to work. N4J pick: Fleming Island 28, Atlantic Coast 13.
Fletcher at Sandalwood, 6:30 p.m.: New era will be better than it has been for the Saints, but Senators are too much here. N4J pick: Fletcher 30, Sandalwood 14.
Hilliard at All Saints Academy: The DJ Alderman Show begins. N4J pick: Hilliard 35, All Saints 21.
Impact Christian at Chiles: Timberwolves won this by a couple of TDs last year. N4J pick: Chiles 38, Impact 14.
Jackson at Orange Park: Raiders ready to get over the hump this year. N4J pick: Orange Park 31, Jackson 20.
(3) Mandarin at McArthur (Broward County Showcase): Tough, tough opener for the Mustangs but they find a way to get it done. N4J pick: (3) Mandarin 27, McArthur 24.
Matanzas at Flagler Palm Coast: Potato Bowl goes to the Bulldogs for the 10th consecutive season. N4J pick: FPC 28, Matanzas 20.
Menendez at Middleburg: Broncos are muscling their way in to the most consistent teams conversation. N4J pick: Middleburg 28, Menendez 14.
(4) Nease at Creekside: Panthers have a big one on deck in Week 2 and they don’t get caught looking ahead to it. N4J pick: (4) Nease 38, Creekside 14.
Parker at Riverside, 6:30 p.m.: Generals in a low-scoring game. N4J pick: Riverside 19, Parker 12.
(1) Raines at (9) Oakleaf: Can’t pick against the Vikings here. N4J pick: (1) Raines 38, (9) Oakleaf 14.
(5) St. Augustine at Palatka: Yellow Jackets get things done in one of the oldest rivalries in high school football. N4J pick: (5) St. Augustine 44, Palatka 14.
Suwannee at Crystal River: Bulldogs start the season off right. N4J pick: Suwannee 28, Crystal River 20.
Tocoi Creek at Bartram Trail: The Bears shake off a forgettable 2025 season with a win here. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 28, Tocoi Creek 21.
(7) Trinity Christian at (6) Ed White, 6:30 p.m.: Commanders had one quality win last year, and it came in this game. N4J pick: (6) Ed White 35, (7) Trinity Christian 30.
(10) University Christian at Ponte Vedra: A win by Class 1A UC may be a bit of an upset over 5A Ponte Vedra. N4J pick: (10) UC 28, Ponte Vedra 23.
West Port at Bradford, 7:30 p.m.: A new coach for the Tornadoes, but the same result. N4J pick: Bradford 28, West Port 7.
Westside at Ridgeview: Panthers keep the Wolverines reeling. N4J pick: Ridgeview 27, Westside 13.
Yulee at Baldwin, 6:30 p.m.: Indians jump out to a W in the first week. N4J pick: Baldwin 21, Yulee 20.
Week 2 independents
Atlantic (1-0) at Crescent City (0-1): Sharks top the Raiders here. N4J pick: Atlantic 21, Crescent City 14.
Charlton County at (1) West Nassau (1-0): Warriors ran for nearly 400 yards last week. N4J pick: (1) West Nassau 30, Charlton County 21.
Cornerstone Classical at Bishop McLaughlin, 6 p.m.: Spartans seeking their first win. N4J pick: McLaughlin 30, Cornerstone 14.
Duval Charter (0-1) at Old Plank Christian (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: Defenders make it to 2-0. N4J pick: Old Plank 34, Duval Charter 24.
Eagle’s View (0-1) at Branford (0-1), 7:30 p.m.: Buccaneers with the W over the Warriors. N4J pick: Branford 34, Eagle’s View 14.
Englewood at Bishop Snyder (0-1): Can the Rams get a win in Week 1? N4J pick: Englewood 21, Snyder 20.
(4) Episcopal (1-0) at Providence: Stallions have won three straight in this series. N4J pick: Providence 31, (4) Episcopal 26.
First Coast Christian (0-1) at (6) Christ’s Church Academy (1-0): Eagles looked really good last week. N4J pick: (6) Christ’s Church 45, First Coast Christian 0.
Harvest Community (1-0) at Stanton (1-0), 6:30 p.m.: Blue Devils stay unbeaten. N4J pick: Stanton 28, Harvest 20.
Young Kids in Motion at Joshua Christian: Ravens roll here. N4J pick: YKIM 20, Joshua Christian 7.
Keystone Heights (0-1) at Interlachen, 7:30 p.m.: Rams get a win after last week’s game was washed out. N4J pick: Interlachen 33, Keystone Heights 14.
Leon at (2) Fernandina Beach: Pirates have a very good team this season. N4J pick: (2) Fernandina Beach 38, Leon 20.
(5) Paxon (0-1) at Wolfson, 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles get back to .500 with a rivalry win here. N4J pick: (5) Paxon 31, Wolfson 21.
(3) Union County (1-0) at Rutherford, 7:30 p.m.: Tigers get a win in the Panhandle against a larger program. N4J pick: (3) Union County 20, Rutherford 19.
Zarephath Academy at IMG Academy White (Thursday): Tough opener for the Eagles. N4J pick: IMG 42, Zarephath 13.
OFF: St. Joseph.