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.
Last week: 28-13. Season: 58-21 (.734).
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Thursday, Sept. 4
Hilliard (1-1) vs. Cornerstone Classical (0-1), at Fort Family Park: Red Flashes get their second win. N4J pick: Hilliard 34, Cornerstone 13.
Friday, Sept. 5
Atlantic Coast (1-1) at Fletcher (2-0), 6:30 p.m.: Senators quietly putting together an excellent start. N4J pick: Fletcher 28, Atlantic Coast 20.
Beachside (1-1) at Menendez (1-1): Barracudas win second straight after Week 1 loss. N4J pick: Beachside 38, Menendez 14.
(7) Bradford (2-0) at South Sumter (2-0), 7:30 p.m.: Will the Tornadoes allow a point is a better question. N4J pick: (7) Bradford 19, South Sumter 6.
Cedar Creek Christian (0-3) at Bishop Snyder (1-2): Cardinals get back to .500. N4J pick: Bishop Snyder 35, Cedar Creek Christian 0.
Charlton County (2-1) at Yulee (2-0): Indians in a close one. N4J pick: Charlton County 31, Yulee 30.
(8) Columbia (2-0) at Hillsborough (0-2), 7:30 p.m.: Picked against the Tigers last week and regretted it. N4J pick: (8) Columbia 34, Hillsborough 17.
Crescent City (1-1) at Interlachen (1-1), 7:30 p.m.: Raiders get a W in this Putnam County clash. N4J pick: Crescent City 28, Interlachen 14.
Duval Charter (0-3) at Fernandina Beach (3-0): Pirates are on a roll. They’re going to push West Nassau for the area’s best SSAA team. N4J pick: Fernandina Beach 38, Duval Charter 7.
Eagle’s View (1-2) at Rocky Bayou Christian (0-2): Long road trip but Warriors get it done. N4J pick: Eagle’s View 32, Rocky Bayou 30.
Episcopal (2-0) at Stanton (2-1), 6:30 p.m.: Eagles end two-game winning streak of the Blue Devils. N4J pick: Episcopal 33, Stanton 13.
Flagler Palm Coast (1-1) at Daytona Beach Mainland (1-0): Bucs are coming off a huge win over Cocoa. N4J pick: Mainland 36, Flagler Palm Coast 14.
(10) Fleming Island (2-0) at (4) Oakleaf (2-0): Knights state case as Clay County’s best team. N4J pick: (4) Oakleaf 28, (10) Fleming 21.
Fort White (1-1) at North Marion (1-1), 7:30 p.m.: Colts win a close game. N4J pick: North Marion 28, Fort White 20.
Harvest Community (0-2) at Santa Fe (1-0): Raiders win this one. N4J pick: Santa Fe 31, Harvest 21.
Joshua Christian (0-2) at NFEI (1-1): Eagles are showing that they can play. N4J pick: NFEI 35, Joshua Christian 6.
KIPP Bold City (0-2) at Baldwin (2-0), 6:30 p.m.: Picked against the Indians last week and won’t do it here. N4J pick: Baldwin 38, KIPP Bold City 7.
Lake Weir (2-0) at West Nassau (3-0): Warriors are a really good team. N4J pick: West Nassau 38, Lake Weir 6.
Lincoln (2-0) at (6) Nease (2-0): Most difficult test of the season so far for Panthers. N4J pick: (6) Nease 27, Lincoln 21.
(5) Mandarin (2-0) at Sandalwood (0-2), 6:30 p.m.: I know it’s a rivalry game but Saints are rebuilding and Mustangs are on the warpath. N4J pick: (5) Mandarin 52, Sandalwood 6.
Matanzas (1-1) at Deltona (2-0): Pirates get it done. N4J pick: Matanzas 21, Deltona 13.
Middleburg (2-0) at Clay (0-2): Broncos stay in the conversation as one of best teams in Clay County. N4J pick: Middleburg 33, Clay 14.
Palatka (0-2) at Providence (0-2): There may not be a worse prediction than mine for Providence beating Carrollwood Day last week. N4J pick: Palatka 21, Providence 20.
Ponte Vedra (1-1) at Baker County (1-1): This will be a good one. Sharks look like they’ve rebounded since Week 1 loss to Nease. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 28, Baker County 21.
(2) Raines (1-0) at Trinity Christian (0-2): Vikings will get a better measurement this week than the last one. N4J pick: (2) Raines 42, Trinity Christian 18.
Ribault (0-2) at Camden County (3-0), 7:30 p.m.: Trojans are rebuilding, and this is a difficult test even in the best of seasons. N4J pick: Camden County 42, Ribault 6.
Ridgeview (0-2) at Englewood (0-2), 6:30 p.m.: Two of the area’s rebuilding programs slug it out for a win. Panthers get the nod. N4J pick: Ridgeview 28, Englewood 13.
Riverside (0-2) at Orange Park (1-1): Generals get in the win column. N4J pick: Riverside 42, Orange Park 20.
(3) St. Augustine (2-0) at (1) Bolles (2-0): Game of the week lives up to the billing. N4J pick: (1) Bolles 34, (3) St. Augustine 28.
Spruce Creek (2-0) at Creekside (0-2): Hawks keep a young Knights team winless. N4J pick: Spruce Creek 35, Creekside 20.
Suwannee (0-2) at Madison County (0-2), 7:30 p.m.: Unusual spot for both programs to be in. N4J pick: Madison County 19, Suwannee 17.
Tocoi Creek (2-0) at Bishop Kenny (1-0): One of the best games on the schedule in Week 3. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 28, Tocoi Creek 20.
Union County (1-1) at St. Joseph (2-0): Big step up for the Flashes. N4J pick: Union County 35, St. Joseph 14.
University Christian (1-1) at Jackson (2-0), 6:30 p.m.: Christians bounce back after tough loss to BK. N4J pick: UC 33, Jackson 20.
Ware County (3-0) at Bartram Trail (0-2): Bears have really struggled offensively this year. N4J pick: Ware County 34, Bartram Trail 14.
Westside (0-2) at (9) White (1-0), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders are looking to nail down best of the westside title this week. N4J pick: (9) White 48, Westside 6.
Williston (0-1) at Paxon (2-1), 6:30 p.m.: Tough assignment for the Golden Eagles. N4J pick: Williston 38, Paxon 7.
Wolfson (0-2) vs. Impact Christian (2-0), at Fort Family Park: Lions are way too much in this one. N4J pick: Impact Christian 38, Wolfson 6.
Zarephath Academy (0-2) at P.K. Yonge (0-2): Eagles pick up their first win. N4J pick: Zarephath 20, P.K. Yonge 14.
OFF: Christ’s Church, First Coast, Keystone Heights, Old Plank Christian, Parker.