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.
All-time predictions history
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2024 record: 357-89 (.800).
2023 record: 353-94 (.790).
2022 record: 309-102 (.751).
2021 record: 296-104 (.740).
2020 record: 273-91 (.750).
2019 record: 291-105 (.735).
Six-year total: 1,879-585 (.763).
Week 1 predictions
Thursday, Aug. 21
(1) Bolles vs. Monarch at Broward Football Showcase, 8 p.m.: The Bulldogs are the top-ranked team in the Super 10 and need some challenging opponents in the regular season. Last year was their first since 2018 that they didn’t reach the state semifinals. The good news is that this is perhaps head coach Matt Toblin’s best team since he’s been at Bolles. N4J pick: Bolles 28, Monarch 20.
Young Kids in Motion at Christ’s Church: The Eagles didn’t finish their opener at Interlachen due to weather, but they’ve got to scratch out more offense. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 21, Young Kids in Motion 13.
Friday, Aug. 22
Atlantic Coast at Parker, 6:30 p.m.: Stingrays get in the win column quickly. N4J pick: Atlantic Coast 19, Parker 13.
Baker County at (6) Bradford, 7:30 p.m.: Tornadoes defense is good and the Wildcats are adjusting to a new coaching staff. N4J pick: Bradford 23, Baker County 13.
Bartram Trail at Sumner: Bears won this game in a romp last year. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 28, Sumner 20.
(7) Beachside at Orlando Christian Prep: Big things are expected from the Barracudas this season. N4J pick: Beachside 45, OCP 20.
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic (0-1) at Cornerstone Classical Academy: The Spartans are embarking as a new program and things will be difficult against more established teams. N4J pick: Bishop McLaughlin 35, Cornerstone Classical 6.
Bishop Snyder (1-0) at Stanton (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Cardinals have got a stable program under head coach Travis Markoski. N4J pick: Bishop Snyder 28, Stanton 6.
Clay at Fleming Island: New coaches at both programs. Even with graduation losses all over, the Golden Eagles are going to be good. N4J pick: Fleming Island 34, Clay 14.
Columbia at Suwannee, 7:30 p.m.: The Tigers are on the immediate bubble of the Super 10. They’re going to be good. They should win their 13th straight in the Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. N4J pick: Columbia 31, Suwannee 21.
Crescent City at Deltona: Raiders are coming off an eight-win season. One of their most difficult games last year was this one. N4J pick: Deltona 21, Crescent City 20.
Duval Charter at Episcopal: Eagles should be able to win this one with a fast start. N4J pick: Episcopal 38, Duval Charter 13.
Eagle’s View (0-1) at Old Plank Christian (1-0): Defenders head coach Frank Andrea knows the Warriors well. N4J pick: Old Plank 23, Eagle’s View 21.
Englewood at Baldwin, 6:30 p.m.: Indians will spoil head coaching debut of the Rams’ Alexander Mohammed. N4J pick: Baldwin 30, Englewood 13.
First Coast at Tocoi Creek: New head coaches for the Bucs (Jarvis Parker) and Toros (Kevin Doelling). Tocoi with the W. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 27, First Coast 17.
Flagler Palm Coast at Matanzas: Potato Bowl goes to the Bulldogs. N4J pick: FPC 31, Matanzas 20.
Fort White at Taylor County, 7:30 p.m.: Bulldogs in a close one. N4J pick: Taylor County 21, Fort White 20.
Hilliard at Fernandina Beach (1-0): Pirates are again going to be a problem in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 31, Hilliard 13.
Impact Christian at Zarephath Academy: This is an interesting clash, but I think the Lions will pull away in the second half. N4J pick: Impact 34, Zarephath 21.
Interlachen at Keystone Heights, 7:30 p.m.: Indians won this game by 38 last year. N4J pick: Keystone Heights 38, Interlachen 14.
Joshua Christian at Hamilton County: Tigers win comfortable. N4J pick: Hamilton County 31, Joshua Christian 6.
KIPP Bold City at Jackson, 6:30 p.m.: Tigers will be an easier sight than the Raines team KIPP saw in the kickoff classic. N4J pick: Jackson 34, KIPP Bold City 12.
(5) Mandarin at Creekside: Mustangs have massive potential on offense. N4J pick: Mandarin 38, Creekside 20.
Menendez at Sandalwood, 6:30 p.m.: Saints are going to dump their 20-game losing streak, but I think this is a tough game to do it in. N4J pick: Menendez 27, Sandalwood 14.
Middleburg at Westside, 6:30 p.m.: Broncos are doing something right under head coach Ryan Wolfe. N4J pick: Middleburg 34, Westside 8.
Nease at (10) Ponte Vedra: Tough game to pick, but I’m going to lean to the Sharks until I see how a younger Panthers offense develops. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 19, Nease 17.
Newberry at University Christian: Tough, tough opener for the Christians. N4J pick: Newberry 31, UC 20.
NFEI at Branford: Eagles are young and growing. N4J pick: Branford 31, NFEI 14.
(4) Oakleaf at Riverside, 6:30 p.m.: I think the Knights have the potential to reach the state semis this year. N4J pick: Oakleaf 34, Riverside 14.
Palatka at (3) St. Augustine: Yellow Jackets have some question marks, but I like them in this one. N4J pick: St. Augustine 33, Palatka 14.
Providence at Frostproof (1-0), 7:30 p.m.: A younger Stallions team this year. N4J pick: Frostproof 27, Providence 20.
Ribault at Fletcher, 6:30 p.m.: I like the Senators to have a sneaky good season. N4J pick: Fletcher 27, Ribault 13.
Ridgeview at Orange Park: Raiders had Mandarin in the kickoff classic, so I think they’ll be prepared for this one. N4J pick: OP 30, Ridgeview 14.
St. Joseph (0-0) at Cedar Creek Christian (0-1): Flashes roll in their opener. N4J pick: St. Joseph 32, Cedar Creek 6.
West Nassau (1-0) at Frederica Academy (1-0): Warriors are another team that will push for a state title in the SSAA. N4J pick: West Nassau 34, Frederica Academy 14.
(9) White at (8) Trinity Christian: Perhaps the game of the night locally. These two are very similar. N4J pick: Trinity 27, White 21.
Wolfson at Paxon (0-1), 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles are better than what they showed in the kickoff classic. N4J pick: Paxon 30, Wolfson 7.
Yulee at Union County, 7:30 p.m.: Hornets make amends for a one-point loss in 2024. N4J pick: Yulee 20, Union County 14.
OFF: Bishop Kenny, Harvest Community, Raines.