JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 10th 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
Middleburg (7-1) at Fleming Island (4-3)
These are not the typical Broncos. Not at all. Head coach Ryan Wolfe has turned typically middling Middleburg into a force. The Broncos had a massive win last week against Beachside, winning 37-36 in overtime on a blocked PAT. In years past, the second half of the schedule has been more difficult than the first for the Broncos, and they’ve struggled to level up. The win over the Barracudas was a statement that these aren’t the same old Broncos. If Middleburg wins out, it would be the best season since QB Alan Hall led the Broncos to a 9-1 regular season in 1990. The last time Middleburg won eight games in a season was 2003, and that eighth win came in the playoffs against Palatka. Fleming Island has won 10 straight here, including 42-6 a year ago, and leads the all-time series by a 15-2 margin. Seldom have these games even been competitive. Only three of them have been decided by a touchdown or less. But the Broncos are positioned to change that lopsided history. Middleburg QB Mason Bacus (994 passing yards, 11 TDs), WR Jordan Williams (19 catches, 484 yards, 7 TDs) and RBs Gino Addison (761 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and Travis Pinkard (410 rushing yards, 8 TDs) have been the playmakers for Middleburg. On defense, Darius and Dominic Swilley provide the pressure up front. Fleming Island is ranked ninth in Region 1-5A and can’t afford to give up any ground. A win here or against Beachside on Nov. 4 would probably be enough to squeeze them in should Niceville (ranked 8th) stumbles.
(5) Oakleaf (7-1) at (4) Mandarin (7-1), 6:30 p.m.
The District 1-6A championship game comes down to this. The Mustangs are ranked third in the Region 1-6A standings and would likely jump No. 2 Pace with a win here. Oakleaf enters ranked No. 4 in the region. The Mustangs won this game last year and claimed the district championship. The Knights settled the score in the opening round of the playoffs en route to the regional finals. Oakleaf looked lethal on offense last week in dropping 44 on Ed White in a wild win. QB Jack McKissock, RB Fareed Coleman (5 rushing TDs last week) and WR Trace Burney are the playmakers on offense. They’re all big time players. For the Mustangs, they’ve got power all over. WR Brysen Wright is a nightmare anyplace he lines up at (offense, defense, special teams). RBs Shaunqueze Foster and Kyree Wilson offer something different that is equally difficult to defend. This game has been circled on the calendar all season long. Expect a shootout.
(10) White (6-2) at Riverside (2-7), 6:30 p.m.
The Commanders have two losses by a combined six points, including last week’s 44-41 stinger to fifth-ranked Oakleaf. They can light up a scoreboard, but they’ve been a sieve on defense against good teams. Can Riverside slow White down? QB King Boylston is getting better by the week (1,366 passing yards, 19 TDs) and he’s got a monster at WR in Nick Roberson (490 receiving yards, 9 TDs). Fellow WR King Mercer (447 receiving yards, 4 TDs) is a playmaker, too. Julian Holt leads the team in tackles (71, 10 for loss, 3 INT) and he can deliver the hammer. It’s been a forgettable season for the Generals record-wise, but they can turn it all around with a win here. QB Jaidan Delaune (1,638 passing yards, 16 TDs; 371 rushing yards, 4 TDs) is Riverside’s top player. His favorite target is WR Demetrice Hugger (432 receiving yards, 4 TDs). On defense, LB Terrence Hubbard (78 tackles, 7.5 for loss) and DL Marvin Butler (46 tackles, 5 sacks) lead the way. Ed White stunned a favored Riverside last year to win a district crown. Can the Generals return the favor with their backs against the wall? The winner gets the 4-4A crown.
Yulee (7-1) at (2) Raines (7-0), 6:30 p.m.
The Vikings will win the District 1-3A title with a victory here. With how Raines has played this year, that feels like a foregone conclusion. Raines has been wrecking teams this season. Only Madison County managed to stay within two touchdowns of Raines. DE Troy Butler has been a menace (11 TFL). DB Jucoby Marion has two of Raines’ seven interceptions, and DL Ge’Terius Brown has two of Raines’ seven fumble recoveries. The Vikings have allowed 34 points all year, with two of those touchdowns coming on special teams. QB TJ Cole has thrown 21 TD passes and rushed for three more scores. Ziyon Butler, Ethan Sherman and Kelvin Brown Jr. have combined to haul in 20 TD passes. The best start in program history for Yulee ended last week in a 42-14 rout last week at the hands of Flagler Palm Coast. Even with that loss, the Hornets have turned things around significantly from last year’s 2-8 finish. Yulee has allowed just 81 points all season. On offense, the Hornets have leaned on freshman RB Jayden Timmon (567 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and senior Corbin Fletcher (380 rushing yards, 4 TDs). DL Turtle Ricks is a monster (55 tackles, 34 for loss, 9 sacks). Yulee’s secondary can play, too. Shamar Gibbs and Xavier Hayes have combined for six picks. LB Maddox Brooks has four interceptions to lead the turnover crew.
Next four to watch
Fletcher (5-3) at First Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.: The Senators went from in the playoff race to out of it in just a week’s time. That’s why winning out is imperative for Fletcher, which finds itself ranked 10th in the Region 1-6A standings this week. The Buccaneers are in spoiler mode, but winning out would give head coach Jarvis Parker an excellent start in his first season.
Jackson (4-4) at Baldwin (6-2), 6:30 p.m.: The Indians won’t go any higher than the No. 4 seed that they’re in right now, and they probably won’t drop lower than the fifth seed. But that’s a massive difference. They’d host a game as the fourth seed. They’re the No. 8 seed right now. No. 9 seed Gadsden County would have clinched a district title and playoff berth, but they are ineligible for the playoffs. Winning out against two quality teams (Baldwin, First Coast) could be enough to move the Tigers up the playoff standings.
Matanzas (5-3) at Menendez (3-5): The Falcons are on the playoff bubble, sitting in ninth place in the Region 1-3A standings. They’re well within range of No. 8 Godby, and winning out would likely vault Menendez into the playoffs. Matanzas is in 10th in the Region 1-5A standings, and could potentially rise to the No. 8 spot by winning out (and getting a little bit of help).
Providence (4-4) at University Christian (5-3): Two years ago, the Stallions stunned host UC 17-14 to win the district title. The Christians returned the favor last year and beat Providence twice, including in the playoffs. UC has lost two straight entering this game, but the competition has been tough. Winner gets the District 3-1A title.
Week 10 schedule, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 23
Bartram Trail (2-6) at Gainesville Buchholz (7-1)
Friday, Oct. 24
Atlantic Coast (3-5) at Suwannee (1-7), 7:30 p.m.
Baker County (4-4) at Wakulla (5-3)
Beachside (5-2) at Orange Park (3-5)
Bishop Snyder (4-5) at Bell (4-4)
Bronson (0-9) at Christ’s Church (6-3)
Cedar Creek Christian (0-8) at Old Plank Christian (7-2)
Clay (2-6) at Columbia (7-1), 7:30 p.m.
Flagler Palm Coast (3-5) at Spruce Creek (6-1)
Fletcher (5-3) at First Coast (4-4), 6:30 p.m.
Fort White (4-4) at Hamilton County (5-3), 7:30 p.m.
Hollis Christian (0-1) at Young Kids in Motion (1-6)
Hudson (2-6) at Union County (2-5), 7:30 p.m.
IMG Academy White (5-3) at Ponte Vedra (6-2)
Impact Christian (5-3) at Fernandina Beach (5-4)
Interlachen (2-7) at St. Joseph (8-0)
Jackson (4-4) at Baldwin (6-2), 6:30 p.m.
Keystone Heights (0-8) at Palatka (2-6)
Liberty County (6-2) at Hilliard (3-5)
Matanzas (5-3) at Menendez (3-5)
Middleburg (7-1) at Fleming Island (4-3)
Mount Dora Christian (8-1) at Eagle’s View (6-3)
NFEI (4-4) at Oak Hall (5-3)
Oakleaf (7-1) at Mandarin (7-1), 6:30 p.m.
Parker (1-6) at Englewood (0-8), 6:30 p.m.
Pierson Taylor (2-5) at Crescent City (2-6)
Providence (4-4) at University Christian (5-3)
Ribault (1-7) at Paxon (5-4), 6:30 p.m.
St. Augustine (8-0) at Ridgeview (2-6)
Santa Fe (6-2) at Bradford (8-1)
Savannah Country Day (2-6) at Episcopal (6-2)
Space Coast (7-1) at Stanton (5-4)
Tocoi Creek (4-4) at Nease (6-2)
Trinity Christian (4-4) at KIPP Bold City (0-8)
West Nassau (8-1) at Dixie County (1-8)
Westside (0-8) at Bishop Kenny (5-2)
White (6-2) at Riverside (2-7), 6:30 p.m.
Windermere Prep (5-2) at Duval Charter (1-8), 6 p.m.
Wolfson (3-5) at Bolles (7-1)
Yulee (7-1) at Raines (7-0), 6:30 p.m.
Specially Fit Academy (6-3) at Zarephath Academy (3-5)
OFF: Creekside, Sandalwood.
Saturday, Oct. 25
FAMU DRS (0-7) at Harvest Community (1-7), 1 p.m.
Georgia schedule, Week 11
Friday, Oct. 24
Camden County (5-3) at Colquitt County (6-2), 7:30 p.m.
Charlton County (4-4) at Brooks County (3-5), 7:30 p.m.
Effingham (6-2) at Glynn Academy (5-3), 7:30 p.m.
Pierce County (8-0) at Tattnall County (2-7), 7:30 p.m.
Ware County (7-1) at Warner Robins (4-4), 7:30 p.m.