JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football in Florida in 2017 is highlighted by change. A change in the way that playoff births are determined, a change in some of the areas best rivalries, and the state's most successful coach, retired Bolles head coach Corky Rogers, not on the sidelines for the first time since man first set foot on the moon.
Among the games that will be played in the area featuring local high schools:
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- Eagle's View at Jackson - both schools are looking for a win to start the season after rough seasons last year.
- Episcopal at Fernandina Beach. Mark Brunell's Episcopal team has over 60 players out of football, more than in his tenure as head coach. Fernandina is one of the schools that could benefit from Bolles leaving the district when they changed to the 5A classification.
- Fletcher at Ponte Vedra - How will the Sharks do without graduated quarterback Nick Tronti, who is now at Indiana?
- Mandarin at Bartram Trail - The Bears will rely on dual threat quarterback Joey Gatewood, an Auburn verbal commit.
- Nease at Yulee - Nease tight end Zach Sheffer, an LSU commit, is one to watch for the Panthers.
- Raines at Columbia - Raines looks ready to dominate their district after Bolles' departure.
- Terry Parker at West Nassau - West Nassau could also make a run to the playoffs thanks to the playoff changes.
Other games include
- Menendez at Creekside
- Matanzas at Ed White
- Kissimmee Liberty at Palatka
- Baker County at Baldwin -
- Stanton at Cedar Creek Christian
- Middleburg at Wolfson
- Orange Park at Bishop Kenny
- Westside at Fleming Island
Also, voting for next week's Football Friday Game of the Week is now open.