JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Varsity 4 News4JAX preseason Super 10 is here. Records shown are from the finish of 2024. During the regular season, the Super 10 will be published on Tuesdays.
Varsity 4 News4JAX Super 10 preseason rankings
1. Bolles (10-2)
Class: 2A.
Last season: Lost to Gadsden County in Class 2A regional final.
Why they’re here: The Bulldogs have perhaps the most talent-rich team in the area. They’ve got four selections in the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX top 25 players list, and ball players well beyond that. New QB Jaden Weatherly has some big targets (Naeem Burroughs, Camden Tietze, Corbyn Fordham) and an excellent line in front of him (Ryan Ingram, JJ Sparks, Reid Koelbel are the big three). The defense has LB Simeon Caldwell leading the way. In the secondary, DBs Santana Starks and TJ Williamson are ballers.
2. Raines (13-1)
Class: 3A.
Last season: Lost in Class 3A state championship game to Miami Northwestern.
Why they’re here: The Vikings ran the table last year before a hard stop against Northwestern in the title game, but don’t be surprised if they get right back there. Reigning Varsity 4 offensive player of the year Timothy Cole is perhaps the area’s most lethal playmaker, racking up 52 total touchdowns and accounting for nearly 4,000 yards last year. He’s difficult to stop even when teams know that he’s coming their way. His big target, WR Ziyon Butler, returns, along with Baldwin transfer Kelvin Brown Jr. DB Shareef Jackson is back after a year at Mandarin. Two-way player Ethan Sherman will be a factor on both sides of the ball. LB Tony Williams is a thumper.
3. St. Augustine (11-2)
Class: 4A.
Last season: Lost to Plantation American Heritage in state semifinals.
Why they’re here: There are some enormous graduation losses for the Yellow Jackets, notably three-year starting QB Locklan Hewlett. St. Augustine is always a force, and this year should be no different. Receivers Somourian Wingo and Julio Santiago will be a problematic duo for opposing secondaries.
4. Oakleaf (9-4)
Class: 6A.
Last season: Lost to Gainesville Buchholz in regional final.
Why they’re here: The Knights flirted with the first state semifinal berth in program history before a tough loss to the Bobcats last season. Why are they ranked so high? Oakleaf is going to be very, very good. The Knights bring back a big time passer in QB Jack McKissock and added one of the area’s best receivers in Fleming Island transfer Trace Burney. There are some notable losses on the defensive side but Oakleaf should have the offensive firepower to make up for those.
5. Mandarin (7-4)
Class: 6A
Last season: Lost to Oakleaf in first round of playoffs.
Why they’re here: The Mustangs lost a lot of talent to graduation and transfer but they are still one of the area’s most talented teams. QB Knox Annis was thrown into the mix last year in Week 2 and endured his growing pains. He’s going to be significantly better this year. WR Brysen Wright may be the most well-known sophomore in the country. The secondary is going to be tough (Brody Jennings, Tamajh Mitchell).
6. Bradford (10-2)
Class: 2A.
Last season: Lost to Newberry in the second round of the state playoffs.
Why they’re here: Jamie Rodgers has melded the Tornadoes into a state contender since he arrived in 2022. He’s had seasons of 12-2, 14-1 and 10-2. The challenges will be keeping the Starke express running smoothly. Defense has been the backbone at Bradford, but graduation losses have chipped away at that unit. The Tornadoes have gone three consecutive regular seasons without allowing teams to reach a combined 100 points.
7. Beachside (7-4)
Class: 5A.
Last season: Lost to Ponte Vedra in the first round of the state playoffs.
Why they’re here: This is the year that the Barracudas have been pointing to as when things all come together. QB Eddie Jordan is entering his third season as starter and has his two biggest targets back (WRs Drew Watson and Maddox Hunstad combined for 22 TDs last year).
8. Nease (10-1)
Class: 6A.
Last season: Lost to Oakleaf in second round of state playoffs.
Why they’re here: Head coach Collin Drafts has built the Panthers into a stable program. They’ve gone a combined 17-5 over the last two seasons and were actually the No. 1-ranked team in the entire state in the FHSAA points standings. The graduation losses on offense are steep, but Nease has a defense that has some muscle on it. LBs Jacob Curry, Noah Hodge and Kyle Hurtado are super.
9. Trinity Christian (10-4)
Class: 1A.
Last season: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna in the state semifinals.
Why they’re here: Head coach Verlon Dorminey had one of the youngest teams in his decorated coaching career in 2024 and the Conquerors still reached the state final four. All those underclassmen from that team — QBs Terel Dallas and Hicks Zarah, WR Tre Williams, LB Terrell Pinkney — are all back for another round. Another trek to the final four isn’t out of the question for Trinity.
10. White (8-4)
Class: 4A.
Last season: Lost to St. Augustine in second round of state playoffs.
Why they’re here: Much like the No. 9 Conquerors, the Commanders were very young last season. They not only won their district but went two rounds into the postseason. This squad shapes up to be one of the best in head coach Lawrence Johnson’s tenure. QB King Boylston and RB Rontrez Loyd are impact underclassmen. WR Nick Roberson is poised for a big season. The Commanders slot in as the Gateway Conference’s No. 2 team behind Mandarin, and should push for at least a seven-win regular season.
