JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fourth week of the high school football season is Friday night. Here are four games to watch followed by the next four best options. All games begin at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
High school football content
Four games to watch in Week 4
(3) Bolles (2-1) at (10) Bishop Kenny (2-0)
The Bulldogs won 27 consecutive games over the Crusaders, a stranglehold on the series from 1978 until 2021. In 2022, Kenny shocked Bolles 14-13 to win a district title and put some life back into the series. The Bulldogs have since won three straight, including a 35-28 game last year. But that win in 2022 reinforced how much more competitive Kenny has become. The Crusaders have an excellent RB in Caleb Mattison, who is in the conversation (with Bolles’ Xander Edwards and Bartram Trail’s Arthur Lewis IV) as the area’s top runner. The Bulldogs will have a target on Mattison, especially after St. Augustine put up 40 points (28 in the opening half) in last week’s game. The Bulldogs have to tighten up on defense, and they’ve got the power to do it. Simeon Caldwell (31 tackles) leads that unit. Edwards is central to everything the Bulldogs do on offense. He’s rushed for 505 yards and six TDs. He helps QB Jaden Weatherly look for his big targets (Naeem Burroughs, Corbyn Fordham, Cam Tietze).
(7) Bradford (3-0) at (6) Mandarin (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
A collision of styles, the big-time defense of the Tornadoes against the big play ability of Mandarin’s Brysen Wright, Shaunqueze Foster, Kyree Wilson and Knox Annis. Bradford has allowed just 12 points in three games, all of that coming in last week’s 14-12 win over South Sumter. The big question is can Bradford generate enough offense? RB Iyen Addison (303 rushing yards, 2 TDs) is the big guy on offense for Bradford. WR Jordan Cason has 189 yards receiving and a couple TDs. Jy’Quez Cason has two interceptions at cornerback. This Mandarin team is far different than the one Bradford beat 19-13 last year. Annis is far more comfortable and experienced at QB. Wright has been a nightmare on both sides of the ball. Foster is having a much better season (averaging 9.7 ypc) and Wilson has been a jolt of energy after his transfer. CBs Brody Jennings and Tamajh Mitchell have combined for four of Mandarin’s eight interceptions (three by Jennings).
(2) Raines (2-0) at Lake Mary (2-1)
The Vikings have hammered two winless opponents by a combined 125-14 to start the season. Yes, Raines is very, very good but those opponents were colossally outmatched. This game shapes up to be Raines’ most difficult until a possible regional final or a state semifinal. Only one opponent left in the regular season has a winning record right now (Yulee at 3-0). That’s why this game is so important to the Vikings. With their Week 1 game against Miami Central canceled, Lake Mary automatically became the playoff-type opponent Raines needed to face. QB Timothy Cole has picked up his ridiculous junior season pace and thrown for 423 yards and eight TDs in very limited action. He’s also rushed for 80 yards and a TD. Cole’s receivers are excellent. Ziyon Butler, Ethan Sherman and Kelvin Brown Jr. have eight TD snags between them. DE Troy Butler is a highlight reel hitter and leads the team in tackles (13). The Rams played for the Class 7A state championship last year and lost to powerhouse Venice. QB Noah Grubbs is a four-star Notre Dame commit. He hasn’t had the best start this season (498 passing yards, 5 TDs), but Lake Mary has played three difficult opponents (Miami Norland, Osceola, Lakeland).
(5) Nease (3-0) at Fletcher (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
The Panthers have been excellent this year, dominating all three opponents and seldom being pressed in those games. And they won this game last year in a running clock, 39-0 romp. Sophomore QB Aiden Phifer has been excellent (70% completion percentage, 699 yards, 7 TDs, INT). Enrique Ordonez is averaging 7.3 yards per carry (254 yards, 2 TDs). Pass catchers Brayden Felder, Vernon Stephens and Chase Phifer) have combines for seven TD grabs and 716 yards. And they may be even better on defense. LBs Kru Casey, Jacob Curry and Noah Hodge are the team’s top three tacklers. Casey has already racked up 10 tackles for loss. This Nease team is good and getting better by the week. Fletcher has played well during its unbeaten start, but it hasn’t faced quite the competition (Ribault, Parker, Atlantic Coast are a combined 1-7) that Nease (Ponte Vedra, Creekside, Lincoln are a combined 4-5). has. QB Cruz James Bajek has put up ridiculous numbers so far, hitting 41 of 53 passes for 655 yards and nine TDs. WRs Diondre “Stix” Smith and Joshua Jones have racked up 528 yards and nine TDs between them. RB Jah’myri Jennings has 274 yards on the ground and five TDs. DBs Elijah Keys and Will Reynolds are excellent in the secondary, pulling in six of Fletcher’s eight interceptions.
Next four to watch
Creekside (0-3) at Bartram Trail (0-3): The Varsity 4 Game of the Week has developed into one of the area’s best rivalries. Bartram is 16-2 all-time against the Knights. Both teams are in desperate need of a win. Both teams have played three really difficult games to open Creekside has faced Mandarin, Nease, Spruce Creek (a combined 9-0) and Bartram has seen Sumner, Nease and Ware County (combined 8-2). Offense has been an issue for both teams.
Hawthorne (3-0) at (4) Oakleaf (3-0): It’s been a solid start for the Knights, but this is where the season begins to really pick up. Hawthorne is a smaller school, but it is an elite program. The Knights are holding teams to just 7 points a game as defense has taken the reins. DBs Jordin Price and TJ Early and LB Jermaine Robinson have been very good for Oakleaf.
Orange Park (2-1) at Fleming Island (2-1): The Raiders had the biggest win under head coach Marcus Wimberly last week in a 23-21 victory over Riverside. The Golden Eagles didn’t get on the scoreboard against Oakleaf. Can OP pull off another upset?
Ponte Vedra (2-1) at Beachside (2-1): District clash between St. Johns County programs. The Barracudas haven’t found the offense that they had last year. Can they change that? Meanwhile, Ponte Vedra’s Cole Rosendahl has been handing out TD passes like it’s nothing. He’s thrown for 982 yards and 10 TDs, four of those to Jack Berquist.
Week 4 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Sept. 11
Harvest Community (0-3) at Trinity Prep (2-2)
Interlachen (1-2) at Umatilla (3-0)
Friday, Sept. 12
Baldwin (3-0) at Union County (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Bolles (2-1) at Bishop Kenny (2-0)
Bradford (3-0) at Mandarin (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
Cedar Creek Christian (0-4) at Mount Dora Christian (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Clay (0-3) at Tocoi Creek (2-1)
Columbia (3-0) at Madison County (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Cornerstone Classical Academy (0-2) at Bishop Snyder (3-2)
Creekside (0-3) at Bartram Trail (0-3)
Crescent City (2-1) at North Marion (1-2)
Duval Charter (0-4) at Christ’s Church (1-1)
Eagle’s View (2-2) at Hilliard (2-1)
Father Lopez (2-1) at Joshua Christian (1-2)
First Coast (1-1) at Baker County (1-2)
Flagler Palm Coast (2-1) at Lake Brantley (3-0)
Fort White (2-1) at Fernandina Beach (4-0)
Godby (0-3) at Suwannee (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton County (2-1) at West Nassau (4-0)
Hawthorne (3-0) at Oakleaf (3-0)
KIPP Bold City (0-3) at Wolfson (0-3), 6:30 p.m.
Matanzas (2-1) at Jackson (2-1), 6:30 p.m.
Menendez (1-2) at Parker (0-2), 6:30 p.m.
Nease (3-0) at Fletcher (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
Newberry (0-3) at Keystone Heights (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
NFEI (1-1) at Trinity Christian (0-3)
Orange Park (2-1) at Fleming Island (2-1)
Palatka (1-2) at Santa Fe (2-0)
Paxon (2-2) at Stanton (2-2), 6:30 p.m.
Ponte Vedra (2-1) at Beachside (2-1)
Providence (0-3) at Episcopal (3-0)
Raines (2-0) at Lake Mary (2-1)
Sandalwood (0-3) at Atlantic Coast (1-2), 6:30 p.m.
St. Augustine (3-0) at Riverside (0-3), 6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph (2-1) at Old Plank Christian (3-0)
University Christian (2-1) at Tampa Catholic (0-3)
Westside (0-3) at Ribault (0-3), 6:30 p.m.
White (2-0) at Englewood (0-3), 6:30 p.m.
Yulee (3-0) at McLaughlin (0-2)
Zarephath Academy (1-2) at Middleburg (3-0)
OFF: Impact Christian, Ridgeview.
Week 5 schedule, Georgia
Friday, Sept. 12
Brunswick (2-1) at Evans (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Charlton County (2-2) at Toombs County (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Pierce County (3-0) at New Hampstead (1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Statesboro (2-1) at Glynn Academy (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Off: Camden County, Ware County.