JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fifth 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.
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Four to watch on Friday night
(4) Bolles (3-1) at (3) Oakleaf (4-0)
The Varsity 4 game of the week is a big one. Bolles has just two games against the Knights and is 2-0, including a wild 57-50 win last year. The Bulldogs haven’t lost to a team from Clay County since Fleming Island in 2012 (33-28). Oakleaf has some offensive firepower, with QB Jack McKissock and WRs Trace Burney and Jordin Price leading the aerial game. RBs Fareed Coleman (307 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Cornell Moses Jr. (275 rushing yards, 4 TDs) making the ground game go. But the defense has been excellent. LB Jermaine Robinson (39 tackles) and DL Mason Thomas (7 TFL, 6 sacks) stacking the front. Oakleaf’s secondary has 10 interceptions. Bolles started the season as the area’s No. 1 team before a 40-35 loss to St. Augustine. Defense and penalties were a sore spot in that game. The Bulldogs bounced back with a 36-0 thrashing of Bishop Kenny last week. RB Xander Edwards is averaging 9.2 yards per carry (689 rushing yards, 10 TDs). WR Naeem Burroughs (384 receiving yards, 3 TDs) is perhaps the area’s top pass catcher. DL Asher Ghioto (8 tackles for loss 26 tackles, 5 sacks) and LB Simeon Caldwell (37 tackles) provide reinforcements in those units. DB Santana Starks (29 tackles, INT) follows Caldwell in tackles. Can the Bulldogs button things up on defense and slow Oakleaf, or will we see a slugfest and a lower-scoring game than we’ve seen? Bolles has averaged 50.5 points per game against Oakleaf.
(2) St. Augustine (4-0) at (5) Nease (4-0)
One of the best series in the area, and one long dominated by the Yellow Jackets. Nease has won seven out of 41 games in this rivalry, but it has seldom been easy. In the Panthers’ last four wins (35-34 in OT in 2024, 14-13 in 2018, 23-20 in OT in 2015, 17-15 in 2007 and 24-21 in 2006), it took everything to come away with a victory. Last year’s game was much of the same, with Collin Drafts’ Panthers muscling up after a 21-0 halftime deficit. That win propelled Nease to an unbeaten regular season for the first time since Craig Howard was on the sidelines in 2006. The Panthers have been really strong this year. With the amount returning on defense, Nease expected to be strong on that side of the ball. It has given up just 52 points all season. LBs Jacob Curry, Kru Casey and Kyle Hurtado are menaces. They have a combined 20 tackles for loss, with Casey accounting for a dozen of them. The offense has been the surprise. RB Enrique Ordonez (446 rushing yards, 3 TDs) has been the big runner. Sophomore QB Aiden Phifer (838 passing yards, 8 TDs) has settled in and has big targets in Brayden Felder (414 receiving yards, 4 TDs), Vernon Stephens (260 yards, TD) and Chase Phifer (155 yards, 3 TDs). St. Augustine has been really good on offense. QB Brenton James has been spectacular through the air (936 passing yards, 12 TDs) and on the ground (169 rushing yards, 3 TDs). He’s in the conversation as the area’s top offensive player. WRs Julio Santiago and Somourian Wingo missed last week’s win over Riverside but remain elite playmakers. The worry with the Yellow Jackets is on defense. After crushing Palatka and Menendez by a combined 89-6, St. Augustine has allowed 76 points in its last two games, including 41 last week against a winless Riverside. St. Augustine leads the all-time series 34-7. Nease ended a 50-game, 11-year district winning streak of St. Augustine in 2015.
IMG Academy (2-0) at (6) Mandarin (4-0), 6:30 p.m.
The Mustangs went on the road last year to face the Ascenders and came back with a 49-6 loss. Mandarin was struggling with injuries in that game, so it was lopsided from the outset. The big question here: how will spectacular sophomore Brysen Wright fare against a national powerhouse? Wright has been unbelievable on both sides of the ball (and special teams) this year. IMG is 4-1 all-time against local teams. QB Knox Annis (743 passing yards, 7 TDs) is a far more reliable player in this meeting than he was last year. RB Shaunqueze Foster (363 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and Kyree Wilson (196 rushing yards, 2 TDs) are a thunder and lightning combo. DB Brody Jennings is having an elite-level season. He’s averaging an interception a game.
IMG vs. local teams
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 | IMG Academy 49, Mandarin 6 |
| 2023 | IMG Academy 49, Bartram Trail 20 |
| 2016 | IMG Academy 34, Trinity Christian 21 |
| 2014 | IMG Academy 28, Trinity Christian 7 |
| 2013 | Trinity Christian 27, IMG Academy 24 |
West Nassau (5-0) at Yulee (4-0)
A potential game of the year candidate in Nassau County. The teams have never met as unbeatens this late in the year. In 2010, both met as 4-0 teams (although Yulee’s win over Atlantic Coast in Week 3 was later changed to a forfeit loss). A win would give West Nassau its best start since opening 6-0 in 2017. A win by Yulee would give the Hornets their best start in program history. The ground game has powered the Hornets this season, with freshman Jayden Timmon (380 rushing yards, 4 TDs) leading the charge. RB Corbin Fletcher is right behind Timmon with 202 yards and three TDs. CB Xavier Hayes has three of Yulee’s six interceptions. DL Turtle Ricks is a monster at the line of scrimmage. He’s already racked up 14 tackles for loss and four sacks. West Nassau has been on a mission since an upset loss to Fernandina Beach in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs. QB Pryce Arnold has thrown seven TDs. But its been the ground game of the Warriors that has been dominant. Smo Green (397 rushing yards, 8 TDs), Skyler Freeman (383 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and Avery Griffin (377 rushing yards, 4 TDs) have given West Nassau a three-headed monster out of the backfield. As a team, the Warriors average 11 yards per carry. Griffin also has a team-best three touchdown catches and 242 yards. Yulee leads the series 10-8 but West Nassau won last year’s clash in a 22-21 classic.
Yulee-West Nassau series history
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2024 | West Nassau 22, Yulee 21 |
| 2023 | Yulee 33, West Nassau 6 |
| 2022 | Yulee 35, West Nassau 6 |
| 2021 | Yulee 24, West Nassau 20 |
| 2020 | West Nassau 7, Yulee 0 |
| 2019 | West Nassau 37, Yulee 7 |
| 2018 | West Nassau 28, Yulee 0 |
| 2017 | West Nassau 26, Yulee 22 |
| 2016 | Yulee 42, West Nassau 22 |
| 2015 | West Nassau 26, Yulee 14 |
| 2014 | Yulee 24, West Nassau 7 |
| 2013 | Yulee 14, West Nassau 13 |
| 2012 | Yulee 56, West Nassau 30 |
| 2011 | Yulee 38, West Nassau 37 |
| 2010 | Yulee 17, West Nassau 6 |
| 2009 | West Nassau 44, Yulee 28 |
| 2008 | Yulee 12, West Nassau 6 |
| 2007 | West Nassau 48, Yulee 13 |
Next four to watch
Baker County (1-3) at Baldwin (4-0), 6:30 p.m.: The Indians are off to their best start since opening 8-0 in 2020. RB Nashawn Jacobs (480 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and QB Stephen Screws (525 passing yards, 6 TDs) are leading the Indians. Baker County has won four straight in this series.
Bishop Kenny (2-1) at (10) Beachside (3-1), Thursday: With QB Eddie Jordan back, the Barracudas are back on track. The Crusaders have an elite back in Caleb Mattison. Can Kenny bounce back from a shutout loss to Bolles?
Trinity Christian (1-3) at (7) Columbia (4-0), 7:30 p.m.: The Tigers are chasing an unbeaten regular season, and they’ve looked sharp. The Conquerors have won eight straight in this series and lead the all-time rivalry 8-2. Kyren Caldwell, Xavier Collins and Kameron Mills power the Tigers. RB Micah Anderson leads the Trinity ground game. QB Terel Dallas and WR Marquez Hicks lead the passing attack.
University Christian (3-1) vs. Impact Christian (3-0), at Fort Family Park: UC rolled over Impact twice last year. The Lions have yet to allow a point, but the competition has been lean. ATH Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy is averaging 173.3 all-purpose yards per game for Impact. UC has been solid on defense. DE Gavin Craig has 3.5 of UC’s 15.5 sacks.
Week 5 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Sept. 18
Bishop Kenny (2-1) at Beachside (3-1)
Ponte Vedra (2-2) at Menendez (2-2)
Stanton (2-3) vs. Harvest Community (0-4), at Providence
Friday, Sept. 19
Baker County (1-3) at Baldwin (4-0), 6:30 p.m.
Bolles (3-1) at Oakleaf (4-0)
Cedar Creek Christian (0-5) at Eagle’s View (3-2)
Christ’s Church (3-1) at Cornerstone Classical (0-3)
Clay (0-4) at First Coast (2-1), 6:30 p.m.
Creekside (1-3) at Winter Park (0-3)
Crescent City (2-2) at New Smyrna Beach (2-1)
Daytona Beach Seabreeze (1-2) at Matanzas (3-1)
Gainesville Eastside (3-1) at Bradford (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton County (2-2) at Suwannee (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
IMG Academy (2-0) at Mandarin (4-0), 6:30 p.m.
Jackson (2-2) at Atlantic Coast (2-2), 6:30 p.m.
Keystone Heights (0-3) at Dixie County (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
KIPP Bold City (0-4) at Episcopal (3-1)
Nature Coast Tech (2-2) at Palatka (1-3)
NFEI (1-2) at Lee County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.
Old Plank Christian (3-1) at Bell (0-4)
Orange Park (2-2) at Bartram Trail (0-4)
Parker (0-3) at White (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
Pensacola Catholic (2-1) at Providence (1-3)
Ridgeview (1-2) at Middleburg (4-0)
Riverside (0-4) at Ribault (1-3), 6:30 p.m.
St. Augustine (4-0) at Nease (4-0)
St. Joseph (3-0) at Hilliard (2-2)
Sandalwood (0-4) at Fletcher (3-1), 5:30 p.m.
Santa Fe (3-0) at Fernandina Beach (5-0)
Trinity Christian (1-3) at Columbia (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Union County (1-2) at Fort White (2-2), 7:30 p.m.
University Christian (3-1) vs. Impact Christian (3-0), at Fort Family Park
West Nassau (5-0) at Yulee (4-0)
West Oaks Christian (0-3) at Interlachen (1-4), 7:30 p.m.
Wolfson (1-3) at Bishop Snyder (3-2)
Zarephath Academy (1-2) at Mayo Lafayette (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
OFF: Duval Charter, Englewood, Flagler Palm Coast, Fleming Island, Joshua Christian, Paxon, Raines, Tocoi Creek, Westside.
Georgia schedule Week 6
Friday, Sept. 19
Brooks County (1-3) at Pierce County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Glynn Academy (2-2) at Lakeside (0-4), 7:30 p.m.
Greenbrier (1-2) at Brunswick (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Royal Palm Beach (4-0) at Camden County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Tallahassee Lincoln (2-1) at Ware County (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Off: Charlton County