JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is going strong. We will spotlight our top four games, followed by our next best options. All games are at 7 p.m. unless indicated. (Indicates Super 6/10 rankings).
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Four to watch
Clay (4-1) at (3) St. Augustine (5-0), Thursday
A big District 4-4A clash between the surging Blue Devils and always consistent Yellow Jackets. Clay has won four straight since a Week 1 loss to Baker County. DL Jay’shawn McCloud has been a wrecking ball for Clay. He’s a menace at getting into the backfield and even picking off passes. McCloud will be a major test for a St. Augustine line led by four-year varsity starter Christian Bond. The Yellow Jackets are strong at QB with Cash Downey (10 TD passes), RB Chance Carter (405 rushing yards, 7 TDs) and WR Anthony Washington, Ry’Lend Williams and Ray’shawn Jeffries (combined six TD catches). Defensively, St. Augustine has been locking teams up. Evans (20 points) and Nease (22) are the only teams to put more the eight points on the board against the Yellow Jackets. St. Augustine Class of 2028 is deep. LB Mason Beane has continued his three-year tackling onslaught. DB Karon Robinson leads the team in picks (2). Brandon Whitfield Jr. has two sacks. And DB Dayron Jenkins has 18 tackles and a couple forced fumbles. That secondary will have to keep a tracker on Clay QB Landon Martin. He’s not only capable of putting the ball way down field but taking advantage of his speed and getting out of the pocket. That’s the same with Wyatt Rapoza under center, too. RB Kamari Davis is a home-run back who has cranked out consistent 100-yard rushing games this year. These teams first played in 1943. St. Augustine is 27-6-1 all-time against the Blue Devils, according for research compiled by former St. Augustine Record sports reporter Will Brown.
Creekside (3-2) at Sandalwood (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
A big time District 1-6A clash and a separator. A win will push one of these teams to the frontrunner spot in the district. A major step-up game for the Saints, who are in the midst of their best streak since winning five straight in 2020. Sandalwood hit lean times in the seasons that followed, including an unfathomable 29-game losing streak across the 2023-’25 seasons. Yes, the schedule has been light (three wins are against winless teams in Atlantic Coast, Parker, Westside), but that strategy is something rebuilding programs use to start turning things around. They also had a 31-28 win over a solid Wolfson team. The key to everything the Saints do is all-around playmaker Michael Hills. He’s been torching opponents to the tune of 225 all-purpose yards per game. He’s got 17 TDs (8 receiving TDs, 5 rushing TDs, 2 punt return TDs, 2 kick return TDs). QBs Jarelle Sims and Jaime Rodriguez have combined for 14 passing TDs. The big question is how can Sandalwood find that success against a team like Creekside that has already faced teams like Bartram Trail, Fletcher and Nease? The Knights dropped a 27-21 game to a Fletcher team that beat Sandalwood by four touchdowns. WR Timmy Goodrich and RB Davis Baldwin have been QB Rozzi Sperry’s top offensive assets. LB Sutton Hooker is tops on Creekside in tackles and sacks.
(7) Fletcher (3-1) at (6) Mandarin (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
Three frontrunners in District 2-5A have emerged – the Mustangs, Senators and Ponte Vedra. Mandarin was riding a 20-game, five-year winning streak against Gateway Conference programs until losing to Raines (31-13) last week. Fletcher is 8-7 in this series over the last 15 games, but Mandarin has won the last five in this series. It’s the longest streak since Fletcher won four straight from 2009-2012. The offensive line’s struggles to keep pressure off Mandarin QB Knox Annis were significant. He was scrambling and running for his life throughout the game. That Raines defensive front is elite, and not many teams can replicate that. But Fletcher’s defense has been excellent this year, so expect the Senators to try and send the pressure as much as possible. RB Shaunqueze Foster needs to continue his strong running (550 rushing yards, 7 TDs) to help take some of the focus off the passing game. ATH Brysen Wright is a problem anywhere, but his work at receiver (358 receiving yards, 5 TDs) is what has made him a consensus five-star player. Like Fletcher’s defensive front, Mandarin has muscle at the line and at linebacker. Jerel Stephens and Kaden Bryant are excellent at the LB positions. On the line, Kindrid Outland is a pocket buster. With the exception of a 27-25 loss to Plant City in a game it trailed in 27-3 at one point, Fletcher has been on point. The addition of a steady QB in Ty Keister has allowed the ground game led by Jahmyri Jennings and Ja’Mez Williams to find a little bit more room. Jennings has 591 rushing yards and five TDs; Williams has 314 and three TDs. At WR, Chase Durden has been Keister’s favorite target (24 catches, 344 yards, 5 TDs). Defense has been what has helped elevate the Senators this year. LB Boogy Stewart leads Fletcher in tackles (38) and has a couple of interceptions. LB Will Reynolds is right behind at 32 tackles. On the line, Xavier Carmichael has 14 tackles (7 for loss) and five sacks.
Ponte Vedra (2-3) at Bartram Trail (4-1)
The Bears bounced back from a 30-7 shellacking at the hands of Fletcher with a gritty 10-9 win over rival Creekside in Week 5. The Bears lead this series 12-4, but the Sharks have won the last two meetings including a 42-14 blowout last year en route to the state semifinals. The key for Bartram this year has been getting its offense in sync early and leaning more on a veteran defense to lead the way. Bartram’s top four tacklers are seniors with edge Major Granados leading the charge in pressures and sacks (5). LB Griffin Szekeres is tops on Bartram in tackles (41). Yes, the offense is very young, but it is on the ascent. Sophomore QB Xander Camus has already engineered multiple game-winning drives. Freshman RB Blake Soares is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Sophomore WR Cam Ganther (350 receiving yards, 3 TDs) leads the team in all the catch categories. Despite three losses in five games, the record doesn’t tell the entire story for Ponte Vedra. All three defeats have come by a possession or less (31-29 to UC; 28-21 in OT to BK; and 45-37 to Merritt Island). QB Carter Sole is making huge gains on a weekly basis and has 15 TDs compared to five INTs. RB Alex Winkles has 420 rushing yards (2 TDs). WRs Cade Turner and Trent Player have combined for 10 TD catches. LB Carter Ottesen leads Ponte Vedra in tackles (47) and TFL (7). Ponte Vedra has done very well in having to replace a deep senior class.
Next four to watch
Beachside (3-1) at Nease (1-3): Panthers have navigated a difficult start. Their losses have been to Creekside, St. Augustine and Mandarin, so the discrepancy in competition is off the charts. The Barracudas have wins over Englewood, KIPP Bold City and Tocoi Creek, teams who are a combined 1-12. Nease can’t afford another district loss if it hopes to stay contending in 2-5A.
Bradford (5-0) at Madison County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.: This is the biggest test so far for the powerful Tornadoes. No matter the year, Boot Hill is a difficult place to win at. The Cowboys are tough, and no doubt have a bullseye on Bradford dual-threat QB Cy Cubbedge.
(1) West Nassau (4-0-1) at Fernandina Beach (1-4): The top team in the Super 6, the Warriors have been a force this season. They ran over Yulee for a 28-7 win last week. The Warriors have won 20 of the past 255 games in this Nassau County clash, but they still vividly remember the 2024 SSAA playoffs when the Pirates stunned them, 24-20. Can the Pirates slow down West Nassau’s vaunted ground game?
Yulee (3-2) at Ed White (3-1), 6:30 p.m.: Which Hornets team shows up will determine how close this one stays. QB Liam Hice-Jones and RB Jayden Timmon are ultra-explosive, but the Hornets mustered just one TD last week against West Nassau. The Commanders can light up a scoreboard, and it’s often ‘pick your poison’ for defenses. QB King Boylston and RBs Vedo Jones and Rontrez Loyd can make a game flip from close to running clock in the blink of an eye.
☀️ Week 6 schedule, Florida ☀️
Thursday, Sept. 24
Beachside (3-1) at Nease (1-3)
Clay (4-1) at St. Augustine (5-0)
Flagler Palm Coast (4-0) at Tocoi Creek (0-5)
Friday, Sept. 25
Atlantic (3-1) at Keystone Heights (2-3)
Baker County (4-1) at Godby (3-2)
Baldwin (1-3) at (5) Bolles (3-1)
Bell (4-1) at Eagle’s View (0-6)
Bradford (5-0) at Madison County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
Bronson (2-4) at Joshua Christian (2-2)
Cornerstone Classical (4-1) at Aucilla Christian (3-3), 7:30 p.m.
Creekside (3-2) at Sandalwood (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
Crescent City (0-4) at Branford (4-2), 7:30 p.m.
Englewood (1-3) at Ribault (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
Episcopal (5-0) at Duval Charter (1-3)
First Coast (0-5) at Atlantic Coast (0-4), 6:30 p.m.
Fleming Island (2-3) at Orange Park (2-3)
Fletcher (3-1) at Mandarin (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
Halifax Academy (1-4) at Harvest Community (1-5)
Impact Christian (1-4) at University Christian (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
KIPP Bold City (0-4) at Jackson (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
McKinney Christian, Texas (4-1) at Christ’s Church Academy (4-1)
Menendez (2-2) at Wolfson (3-2), 6:30 p.m.
Middleburg (3-2) at Ridgeview (1-3)
Parker (0-5) at Union County (2-3), 7:30 p.m.
Pine Ridge (0-4) at Matanzas (0-4)
Ponte Vedra (2-3) at Bartram Trail (4-1)
Providence (2-3) at Seffner Christian (5-0)
Riverside (2-2) at Columbia (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
Scintilla Charter (0-2) at Hilliard (4-0)
Seven Rivers (1-4) at Old Plank Christian (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph (2-3) at Bishop Snyder (0-5)
Stanton (5-1) at First Coast Christian (1-3), canceled
Suwannee (5-0) at Wakulla (3-1)
Taylor County (2-2) at Fort White (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian (2-3) at NFEI (3-1)
West Nassau (4-0-1) at Fernandina Beach (1-4)
West Port (2-3) at Oakleaf (2-2)
Westside (0-5) at Palatka (1-4)
Yulee (3-2) at Ed White (3-1), 6:30 p.m.
Zarephath Academy (0-4) at West Oaks (2-3)
OFF: Bishop Kenny, First Coast Christian, Interlachen, Paxon, Raines, Stanton.
🍑 Week 6 schedule, Georgia 🍑
Friday, Sept. 25
Brantley County (2-2) at Appling County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Glynn Academy (1-3) at Lakeside (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
Greenbrier (1-3) at Brunswick (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
Pierce County (4-0) at Toombs County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Ware County (2-2) at Statesboro (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
West Broward (1-3) at Camden County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
OFF: Charlton County, Frederica Academy.
