SMU made a bold bid to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, and that bet is paying off.

The Mandarin boys track and field team used a pair of individual championships to finish as Class 4A state runner-up as the state meet wrapped up on a busy and wet Saturday night at UNF’s Hodges Stadium.

Mandarin junior forward Emir Trto leads the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX boys soccer team.

The Varsity 4 News4JAX flag football Super 6 rankings will be published Wednesday through the end of the regular season. Records are through March 25 games.

Malique Ewin scored a career-high 26 points and Florida State defeated SMU 76-69 on Saturday and gave Leonard Hamilton a win in his final game coaching the Seminoles in Donald L.

A flukish call of a handball on Mandarin just 52 seconds into the game led to a Mitchell penalty kick and the lone goal in a 1-0 loss in the Class 6A state championship game on Saturday at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.

The Mustangs got a goal in the 21st minute from Emir Trto and used tough defense to smother Oviedo for a 1-0 win in the Class 6A state semifinals at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale on Thursday.

The Mandarin boys soccer team is headed to the state semifinals.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Thanksgiving and Christmas week. Records are through Jan. 2 games.

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee took a moment while preparing his team for the College Football Playoff to address the ever-growing concern over the open transfer portal window.

College football’s conference shakeup left concerns about two super conferences dominating the playoff field.

The College Football Playoff committee took wins over strength of schedule, taking SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot in the field.

SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1.

Cade Klubnik threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, Nolan Hauser kicked 56-yard field goal as time expired and the No. 18 Clemson beat No. 8 SMU 34-31 on Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff and position itself for a first-round bye.

Athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU are in a turf war over the latest College Football Playoff rankings, leading to a “stay off my lawn” moment on social media.

Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia 33-7.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Thanksgiving and Christmas week. Records are through Nov. 21 games

The kick sailed wide left, and Oakleaf’s players flooded off the sideline and onto the field with nine seconds remaining Friday night, jumping up and down and lifting their helmets in the air. That celebration was 10 years in the making and worth every yard of the penalty that followed.

News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney reveals his predictions for the first round of the high school football playoffs. All game times are Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated.

The Atlantic Coast Conference finds itself fighting for respect from the College Football Playoff selection committee.

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.

The ACC will be represented in the College Football Playoff, just maybe not by the usual suspects.

This move from a Group of Five conference to the Power Four is working out better than all right for SMU.

Varsity 4 has you covered every step of the way for Week 11 of the high school football season, including a big night of football on Thursday.

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.

Top-ranked Raines, No. 2 Nease and seventh-ranked Mandarin all wrapped up district championships on an action-packed Friday night.

The Florida High School Athletic Association will push the start of the football playoffs back a week due to the barrage of weather-related issues, including a couple hurricanes, that schools around the state have endured this season.

Kevin Jennings passed for a career-high 281 yards, Isaiah Nwokobia intercepted an end-zone pass with 2:23 left to seal it, and SMU overcame blowing a double-digit lead to beat No. 22 Louisville 34-27.

The News4JAX Varsity 4 Super 6 high school volleyball rankings will be published each Wednesday during the regular season. Records are through Sept. 17 games.

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.

Bradford wore down the Mustangs, displaying a three-headed Wildcat attack in the final quarter that allowed the host Tornadoes to rally and topple Mandarin 18-13 in the Varsity 4 Game of the Week.

News4JAX/Varsity 4 have you covered every step of the way for Week 4 of the high school football season. We’ll have four games to watch, the next four best and the full schedule in our Thursday coverage. All game times are 7 p.m. unless indicated.

Mandarin romped to a 47-0 win over Atlantic Coast in the battle for the Principal's Cup on Friday night during Week 2 of the high school football season. Photographer Kevin Nguyen captured the game in photos in this gallery.

Mandarin receiver Jaime Ffrench ended months of speculation on his college future when he verbally committed to Texas during a pep rally at the school on Friday morning.

The News4JAX VARSITY 4 high school football preseason top 10 rankings.

The Mandarin boys soccer team bowed out of the state playoffs just one win away from the state semifinals.

The Mandarin boys soccer team is one of only two local teams still standing in the state playoffs.

The Mandarin boys soccer team led a handful of first-round winners on Tuesday night in the state playoffs.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Jan. 18 games.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Jan. 11 games.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Dec. 21 games.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Dec. 14 games.

On the anniversary of the most memorable night in Mandarin football history, Miami Columbus settled the score.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Dec. 7 games.

Mandarin has been one of the area’s constant Super 10 teams all season. Can the Mustangs win just the second state championship in program history when they face Miami Columbus on Friday at 3 p.m. in Tallahassee?

Kevin Jennings threw a touchdown pass and accounted for 266 yards from scrimmage in his first career start, Collin Rogers kicked four second-half field goals and No. 25 SMU beat No. 17 Tulane 26-14 on Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Bradford, Mandarin and St. Augustine are headed to the state championship games next week in Tallahassee after winning state semifinal clashes on Friday night.

The News4JAX Super 6 boys soccer rankings will be published every Friday during the regular season — except during Christmas week. Records are through Nov. 30 games.

Baker County, Bartram Trail, Bolles, Bradford, Mandarin, St. Augustine, Trinity Christian and Union County all won second-round games on Friday night.

The second round of the high school playoffs is here. A glance at playoff games in the Metro division. All games are Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless indicated.

It’s the first round of the high school football playoffs and championship expectations are still intact for numerous area teams. A look at playoff matchups in the Metro division.

The News4JAX Super 10 football rankings will be published Tuesday’s during the regular season. All games at 7 p.m. unless indicated.

The News4JAX Super 10 football rankings will be published Tuesday’s during the regular season. All games at 7 p.m. unless indicated.

The News4JAX Super 10 football rankings will be published Tuesday’s during the regular season. All games at 7 p.m. unless indicated.

The News4JAX Super 10 football rankings will be published Tuesday’s during the regular season. All games at 7 p.m. unless indicated.

News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his picks for the week each Thursday. All game times are 7 p.m. unless indicated.

It’s the first week of the high school football season. We take a look at the top four games, the next four options and the full schedule for teams in north Florida and south Georgia.

The boys high school soccer playoff field is set as 20 area programs make their way to the postseason.

The News4JAX boys soccer Super 6 rankings will be published each Friday during the regular season. Records are through Jan. 12 games.

The Mustangs opened the season 9-0, outscoring the opposition by 40 goals. The average score of a Mandarin game this year? 9-1.

The high school football playoffs begin on Friday night, with games on Saturday and Monday night, too, due to Hurricane Nicole. A glance at the matchups in the Metro division.

Ryan Coe kicked a school-record five field goals, including a season-long 52-yarder, and No. 21 Cincinnati held on for a 29-27 win over SMU.

High school football season is back. That means our football predictions are back, too.News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his picks for the week every Thursday during the season.

Creekside visited Mandarin in the News4JAX Football Friday Game of the Week. Photographer Kevin Nguyen captured the game in this photo gallery.

Mandarin’s offense was moving the ball, and Creekside’s running game had difficulty finding room. But one thing didn’t just tip the field for the Knights, it moved the ball all the way down the field — Creekside’s special teams.

It was a good night for boys soccer teams in the area.

The News4JAX Super 6 girls basketball rankings will be published each Tuesday during the regular season. Records are through Jan. 10.

The Mandarin boys soccer team is 9-1 and riding an eight-game winning streak. It handed Bolles its lone loss of the season and enters Wednesday’s showdown with Stanton in what could be a glimpse of a Gateway Conference final.

The News4JAX Super 6 girls basketball rankings will be published each Tuesday during the regular season. Records are through Jan. 3.

The Mustangs promoted offensive coordinator Toby Bullock to the head coaching position on Thursday morning, keeping the job in-house after parting ways with Bobby Ramsay last month.

The News4JAX Super 6 girls basketball rankings will be published each Tuesday during the regular season with the exception of a break for the holidays. Records are through Dec. 13.

Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes, ran for another score and even caught a TD pass to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past SMU 48-14 on Saturday.

It's the final week of the high school football regular season and quite a few playoff berths are still up for grabs. A glance at the top four games, the next four and the full schedule for our area teams.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, second from right, as Hornets forward P.J. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Charlotte Hornets are getting set to welcome fans for home games. The Hornets’ reopening plan has been approved by state and county authorities and allows the team to host fans at 15% capacity, approximately 3,000 per game. “We are excited about the opportunity to welcome more fans to our outdoor venues,” the university said in a written statement. AdTuesday night’s game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March.

The school said it brought the capacity in line with what’s being allowed for Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals games. 17 Ohio State women’s basketball team canceled Saturday’s game against Iowa because of a spike in positive COVID-19 tests in the Buckeyes program. The Beach didn’t open its season until Dec. 4 and six of its seven games scheduled this month are road games. This will be the third straight game canceled. USC postponed its Pac-12 opener at home against Stanford over the weekend when it first reported the positive COVID-19 test.

Tulsa celebrates after linebacker Zaven Collins (23) made a winning interception against SMU during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. 25 Tulsa is ranked in The Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 10 years and No. 9 Indiana is set to play the first regular-season, top-10 matchup in program history. Indiana played in its only top-10 matchup in school history after that 1967 season, facing No. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first full week of high school football is here. After a light slate of games last week, football cranks up in full force this week, with a full schedule and a load of marquee games to choose from. Bartram Trail at Creekside: One of the few rivalry games of the true opening week of games matches the Super 10 No. Bolles at Trinity Christian, 7:30 p.m.: This is usually the game to set your calendar by. GEORGIAFriday, Sept. 11Glynn Academy (1-0) at Camden County (0-1), 7:30 p.m.McIntosh County Academy (0-1) at Brunswick (0-1), 7:30 p.m.Richmond Hill (1-0) at Ware County (1-0), 7:30 p.m.Wayne County (1-0) at Pierce County (1-0), 7:30 p.m.OFF: Charlton County (1-0).

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax Super 10 high school football poll is published each Tuesday during the regular season. (1) Bartram Trail (10-0), Class 8ALast week: d. Raines, 38-15This week: vs. Spruce Creek (6-3), Region 1-8A playoffs, 7:30 p.m.Glance: The first unbeaten regular season in Bartram's 20-year history earned the Bears the No. Dropped out: Oakleaf (7-3, Class 8A). Others: Baker County (6-4, Class 5A), Baldwin (7-3, Class 3A), Fletcher (6-4, Class 7A), Oakleaf (7-3, Class 8A), Parker (7-2, Class 5A), St. Augustine (6-4, 6A), Raines (5-4, Class 5A), Westside (8-2, Class 5A), West Nassau (8-2, Class 4A).

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax Super 10 high school football poll will be published each Tuesday during the regular season. The next goal is an unbeaten regular season, which would be their first since 2013. (5) Bolles (6-1), Class 4ALast week: d. Clay, 41-7This week: vs. John Carroll Catholic (4-4), 7:30 p.m.Glance: Bulldogs keep on pace for a strong finish. Good chance for Bolles to end the regular season on an eight-game winning streak. (3) Lee (5-3), Class 6ALast week: lost to Trinity Christian, 21-12This week: at Gainesville (1-7, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.*Glance: Last week's big riser drops a few spots after a loss to Trinity.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A glance at three of the top high school football games on the First Coast in Week 8. Mandarin (3-3, 1-1) at Oakleaf (5-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.*: A major District 1-8A clash. An Oakleaf pass rush, led by star end Chantz Williams, will try and make reigning Mr. Football Carson Beck as uncomfortable as possible. Parker (3-2, 2-0) at White (3-3, 1-1), 6 p.m.*: This is a much different position for the Braves to be in at this point of the season. They've won three straight entering Week 8, including an OT victory over Atlantic Coast and a 20-13 win at Baker County in that stretch.

Raiders getting adding another win for the books against the Mustangs, 56-26, during week 7's Game of the Week, part 3.

Raiders getting adding another win for the books against the Mustangs, 56-26, during week 7's Game of the Week, part 3. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

(1) Columbia (4-0), Class 6ALast week: OffThis week: vs. Gainesville (0-4)*Glance: The Tigers open their District 2-6A slate in what should be a relatively smooth night. (2) Bartram Trail (5-0), Class 8ALast week: d. St. Augustine 43-40This week: OffGlance: Bartram made it back-to-back wins and improved to 2-19 all-time against St. Augustine with a tight win last week. (8) Trinity Christian (2-3), Class 3ALast week: d. Miami Carol City, 42-21This week: vs. Pahokee (1-3), 7:30 p.m.Glance: Wat a big win for the Conquerors last week in a running clock blowout of Carol City. (10) Ponte Vedra (4-0), Class 6ALast week: d. Menendez, 14-10This week: at Matanzas (1-3)*Glance: The Sharks needed a late rally to edge Menendez last week. (6) Mandarin (2-2), Class 8ALast week: lost to Lee, 32-27This week: vs. Nease (1-3)*Glance: The Mustangs will try and bounce back this week in a big District 1-8A game.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A glance at four of the top high school football games in Week 5. Mandarin has had an uneven offensive start, with QB Carson Beck having thrown more interceptions (seven) than TDs (three). The ground game has been solid behind Martranius Mack (205 rushing yards, two TDs), and the Mustangs still have a strong defense. Bolles (2-1) at Creekside (3-1): One of the better matchups in Week 5. RB Ershod Jasey is one of the top rushers in the area (552 yards, four TDs).

Ponte Vedra is atop the News4Jax Super 6 volleyball poll for the third straight week. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The News4Jax Super 6 volleyball poll will be published each Wednesday through the end of the regular season. (NR) Mandarin (6-0), Class 7ANotable wins: Christ's Church, RidgeviewThe Mustangs make their Super 6 debut following an unbeaten start, with a 3-1 win over previously ranked Christ's Church on Aug. 31 as their headliner. They stay in the Super 6 this week over Christ's Church. Dropped out: Christ's Church (3-1, Class 2A), Middleburg (1-3, Class 5A).

The Mustangs got three touchdowns from Carson Beck, but rival Atlantic Coast made them work for every bit of their 28-12 win in the Publix Bold City Showcase on Saturday. Beck, the state's reigning Mr. Football, had touchdown passes of 22 and 43 yards to Jaylen Smith, and added a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Jordyn Williams had an acrobatic interception in the end zone to stop one Mustangs drive and Josh Williams had another. The Mustangs took away every bit of Atlantic Coast's rushing attack and made life difficult on quarterback Ridge Jacobs. The Mustangs picked off two passes, including the clincher by Uriel Richardson that allowed Mandarin to hold on to a 21-12 lead.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Publix Bold City Showcase is Saturday at Bolles. LEE vs. BARTRAM TRAILWhen/where: Saturday, 1 p.m./BollesRecords in 2018: Lee was 10-2 and reached the Class 7A regional finals. Mandarin has won four straight in this series, including a 32-point win in last year's Bold City Showdown. Recent history: Bolles won last year, 47-7. Bolles has won all of those meetings handily, the closest in that stretch a 38-19 game in 2010.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Monday was the first day high school football teams in the state of Florida could begin practicing. At Raines and Mandarin, the Vikings and Mustangs began fall practice as defending state champions. Mandarin held practice number one in the parking lot Monday morning. At Raines, the Vikings know what it's like to start the season as the hunted. "We're fully healthy at the quarterback position to start the season, which last year, we weren't.