JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school playoffs kick off this week around the state. News4JAX breaks down first-round games in Classes 1A through 3A here. Games at 7 p.m. unless indicated. For previews on games in Class 4A through 7A, look here.
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Region 1-3A
(8) Baker County (4-6) at (1) Raines (9-0), 6:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (5) West Florida (6-4) or (4) Yulee (8-2) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Vikings have turned in back-to-back unbeaten seasons. The expectation now is to win the program’s fourth state championship. Raines reached the title game last year and lost to Miami Northwestern. A rematch against the Bulls is certainly a possibility. Raines crushed its schedule this season, averaging 52.3 points per game while allowing just 4.4 points per game. That’s staggering. QB TJ Cole passed for 1,957 yards and 29 TDs and spread the wealth around. Ziyon Butler (13 TD catches, 722 yards), Ethan Sherman (7 TD catches, 580 yards) and Kelvin Brown Jr. (395 receiving yards, 8 TDs) tormented defenses all year. Speaking of defense, Raines was wicked tough. Troy Butler had 17 tackles for loss and no shortage of big hits and the Vikings scored eight defensive TDs. … The Wildcats sneaked into the playoffs after losing a Week 11 game to Fort White, and the challenge here feels as steep as possible. The path to a monumental upset is trying to get something going behind RB Delynno Ruise and QBs Hudson Register and Hudson Hodges. LB Taz Kinghorn is Baker County’s top player on defense.
(5) West Florida (6-4) at (4) Yulee (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (8) Baker County (4-6) or (1) Raines (9-0) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Hornets started out a program-best 7-0 before things got a bit rocky. They got blown out in back-to-back weeks (Flagler Palm Coast, Raines) before wrapping up an eight-win regular season. Sure, those losses stung but compare that to last year’s 2-8 season. Yulee turned things around in a massive way. They’re a committee backfield, with RB Jayden Timmon at the forefront of that. Corbin Fletcher and QB Tre Vazquez factor into that ground game, too. They like to run the ball and play defense. DL Turtle Ricks has 60 tackles and 36 for loss to go along with nine sacks. He’s tough and strong at the line. DB Shamar Gibbs leads the back end of the defense with six of the team’s 15 picks. If the Hornets can play defense and run the ball like they did during their 7-0 start, they’ll get a rematch with the Vikings next week.
(6) Wakulla (6-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (8-2)
Winner gets: (7) Godby (4-6) or (2) Bay (9-1) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Crusaders put together a quiet but very impressive eight-win season where they were only outplayed in one game (Bolles). They blocked a PAT to win a game against University Christian and lost a heartbreaker to Beachside on a late pick-six. Kenny reached the regional last season before running into Raines, and it has to potential to get right back in that third-round game. QB Gavin Hawkins has played remarkably well for Kenny, completing 71% of his passes for 1,351 yards (21 TDs). Behind Hawkins is one of the area’s top backs in Caleb Mattison (1,062 yards, 19 TDs). At receiver, Carter Harris (292 receiving yards, 6 TDs) and James Davis III (390 receiving yards, 5 TDs) are Hawkins’ biggest targets. There’s a good defense behind the Crusaders, too. Ashton Green and Jelani Dawkins had two picks apiece. LB Gunnar Rogers leads the team in tackles (68) and tackles for loss (11).
Region 1-2A
(8) Walton (4-6) at (1) Bolles (9-1)
Winner gets: (5) Baldwin (7-3) or (4) Florida High (4-6) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Bulldogs have one of their best teams in head coach Matt Toblin’s tenure. Bolles is wicked tough on the offensive line and five veteran starters. RB Xander Edwards has been the area’s top offensive player (1,880 rushing yards, 28 TDs), including an area-record 522 rushing yards in a win over Baldwin. WR Naeem Burroughs (839 receiving yards, 9 TDs) is a nightmare to cover, and fellow receiver Camden Tietze has six TD grabs. On defense, DL Asher Ghioto is a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. He’s got 64 tackles, 28 for loss, and 20 sacks, which is believed to be a program single-season record. At DB, Santana Starks has three of Bolles’ nine picks as a team. LB/S Simeon Caldwell leads the Bulldogs in tackles (77). Another LB, Christian Hayes, has 63 tackles and 12 sacks. Unlike last year when Gadsden County clamped down on Bolles’ offense in a 21-9 regional final win, this year’s team, on paper, should power through this region.
(5) Baldwin (7-3) at (4) Florida High (4-6), 7:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (8) Walton (4-6) or (1) Bolles (9-1) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: Excellent season for the Indians, especially on offense. Baldwin averaged nearly 40 points per game. In its three losses, Baldwin turned in games of 49 (Bolles), 48 (Baker County) and 42 (Ed White). QB Stephen Screws passed for 2,013 yards and 22 TDs for the Indians, more than 1,100 of those going to John Harvey and Jaiden Barnett. That duo has 15 combined TD catches. RB Nashawn Jacobs has been the playmaker out of the backfield, rushing for 1,182 yards and 15 TDs. Can the Indians muscle up on defense when they need to? Scoring hasn’t been the issue this year.
Region 2-2A
(8) Avon Park (6-4) at (1) Bradford (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (5) Berkeley Prep (4-4) or (4) Villages (9-1) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Tornadoes tore through the season, losing just once to Class 6A Mandarin (14-7). Many games were in typical Bradford fashion, which involved using a wicked defense to choke out opposing offenses. Bradford allowed just 57 points all season. Under head coach Jamie Rodgers, the Tornadoes haven’t allowed more than 100 points in a regular season. Offense remains a work in progress against stronger teams. QB Cy Cubbedge passed for 1,393 yards and 21 TDs this season. RB Iyen Addison is averaging 7.4 yards per carry (841 rushing yards, 7 TDs). WR Kemontae Nixon has 430 receiving yards and eight TDs. Defense is the best offense for Bradford. The Tornadoes have just two defensive TDs but they are so good at suffocating opponents when it matters. DL Parviele Lee has 80 tackles, six sacks and 15 tackles for loss. DE Nate Raymond (68 tackles) leads the team with 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Region 1-1A
(8) Trinity Catholic (4-5) at (1) University Christian (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (5) Impact Christian (7-3) or (4) Episcopal (7-3) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Christians are good, tough and very young. QB Ty Keister (343 rushing yards) and RBs Harrison Leddy (643 rushing yards, 8 TDs) Jon Asbey (330 rushing yards, 5 TDs) are all underclassmen. Its top eight leading tacklers, led by LBs Matthew Hammett (77 tackles, 12 TFL) and Uriah Caguimbal (74 tackles, 18.5 for loss) are all juniors. They’ve senior leaders, too. Versatile two-way star Amare Mack (3 INT, 24 tackles; 425 receiving yards, 5 TDs) does a bit of everything for the Christians. Head coach David Penland III is 12-2 all-time in first-round playoff games, only losing openers in 2011 and 2024.
(5) Impact Christian (7-3) at (4) Episcopal (7-3)
Winner gets: (8) Trinity Catholic (4-5) or (1) University Christian (7-3) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: It’s just the second state playoff appearance for Impact, but this should be an evenly matched game. ATH Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy is dangerous wherever he’s at on the field. He’s rushed for 860 yards (11 TDs) and added 654 yards receiving (7 TDs). On defense, the side of the ball he’ll play in college, Caldwell-Hardy has 67 tackles. WR/DB Alexander Lee (419 receiving yards) leads the team in receiving TDs (7) as well as interceptions (6). QBs Andrew Wright and Haiden Dees have combined to throw 19 TDs. LB Xavier Williams has 108 tackles (12 TFL) and DL Lashawn Powell (11 sacks, 54 tackles, 11 TFL) lead the defense. … The Eagles have been well balanced offensively, with QB Justice Turpin (1,327 passing yards, 19 TDs), RB Levi Ritter (755 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and WR Brayden Wessinger (833 receiving yards, 12 TDs) doing the heavy lifting. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Episcopal could have a 1,500-yard passer along with a 1,000-yard receiver and running back, a feat many teams won’t achieve this year. They’re strong on defense, led by DL Sean Wolff (75 tackles, 22 TFL, 12 sacks) and DE Cael Thoresen (32 tackles, 13 TFL, 11 sacks) up front and DB Cari Morrell (28 tackles, 3 interceptions) in the back.
(7) Providence (4-6) at (2) Trinity Christian (6-4)
Winner gets: (6) NFEI (6-4) or (3) Maclay (7-3) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Conquerors have turned things around after an un-Trinity-like start of 1-4. They hit the lighter side of the schedule and handled business. Trinity’s season in 2024 was similar (1-2 start) that ended with a run to the state semifinals with a very young roster. They’re still young, but the Conquerors are winning ballgames. Freshman RB Micah Anderson and sophomore QB Terel Dallas are the team’s biggest threats. Anderson is closing in on a 1,000-yard rushing season (7 TDs) while Dallas has passed for 1,075 yards (8 TDs) and rushed for 429 (6 TDs). WR Marquez Hicks (474 yards, 4 TDs) is the team’s top pass catching threat. DB Zakhari Greene (4 INT) has half of the team’s interceptions. LB William Striglers (43 tackles) leads the tacklers and DL Adrian Williams (28 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks) pushes the line. … Like Trinity, the Stallions recovered from 1-4 start to squeeze into the playoffs. They’ve lost back-to-back games to quality programs (University Christian, Bishop Kenny) and will enter this one as the underdog. But head coach Maurice Williams has gotten maximum effort from this group, which has had to grow up quickly due to graduations and transfers. RB Caden Jones (667 rushing yards, 4 TDs), WR/QB/S Jake Contner (371 receiving yards, 3 TDs; 2 passing TDs, 2 INTs on defense) lead the Stallions.
(6) NFEI (6-4) at (3) Maclay (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
Winner gets: (7) Providence (4-6) or (2) Trinity Christian (6-4) in the regional semifinals on Nov. 21.
Glance: The Eagles are on the rise under head coach Jamaal Fudge. Their four losses are all against larger programs (Trinity Christian, Middleburg, Episcopal, Lee County, Ga.). It’s the first time actually qualifying for the state playoffs for NFEI. Its only other trip to the postseason came in the 2020 Covid year when all teams could go to the playoffs. NFEI’s only win that season was in the playoffs against Rocky Bayou Christian. LB/DB Kayden Pinder (59 tackles, 13 TFL, 9 sacks), DL Cesar Agard (66 tackles, 18 TFL, 5 sacks) are the headliners on defense. Although the Eagles have lost some continuity on offense (leading passer Braylon Brown is no longer on the team) NFEI should be able to hang with Maclay in this one.
Regional quarterfinal playoffs
All games Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7 p.m. unless indicated
Region 1-7A
(8) Creekside (4-6) at (1) DeLand (10-0)
Region 1-6A
(5) Oakleaf (8-2) at (4) Nease (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
(7) Crestview (6-3) at (2) Mandarin (9-1), 6:30 p.m.
Region 1-5A
(8) Niceville (6-4) at (1) Ponte Vedra (8-2)
(5) Milton (7-3) at (4) Beachside (7-3)
(7) Middleburg (8-2) at (2) Mainland (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
Region 1-4A
(8) Arnold (3-7) at (1) St. Augustine (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
(5) Pine Forest (3-6) at (4) White (8-2), 6:30 p.m.
(6) Rickards (3-7) at (3) Columbia (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
Region 1-3A
(8) Baker County (4-6) (1) Raines (9-0), 6:30 p.m.
(5) West Florida (6-4) at (4) Yulee (8-2), 7:30 p.m.
(6) Wakulla (6-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (8-2)
Region 1-2A
(8) Walton (4-6) at (1) Bolles (9-1)
(5) Baldwin (7-3) at (4) Florida High (4-6), 7:30 p.m.
Region 2-2A
(8) Avon Park (6-4) at (1) Bradford (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
Region 1-1A
(8) Trinity Catholic (4-5) at (1) University Christian (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
(5) Impact Christian (7-3) at (4) Episcopal (7-3)
(7) Providence (4-6) at (2) Trinity Christian (6-4)
(6) NFEI (6-4) at (3) Maclay (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
Florida Invitational Tournament
FIT 2 (Class 4A-7A division)
North bracket
(6) Bartram Trail (3-7) at (3) Matanzas (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
(7) First Coast (5-5) at (2) Tate (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
FIT 1
Class 1A-3A division
North bracket
(5) Jackson (4-6) at (4) Weeki Wachee (7-3), 7:30 p.m.
(6) Wolfson (4-6) at (3) Palatka (4-6), 7:30 p.m.
GHSA playoffs, first round
Friday, Nov. 14, all games 7:30 p.m.
Class 5A playoffs
Glynn Academy (6-4) at Jackson County (9-1)
Winder-Barrow (4-6) at Brunswick (8-2)
Class 4A
Ware County (8-2) at Flowery Branch (7-3)
Class 2A playoffs
Ringgold (6-4) Pierce County (8-2)
Class A Division II
Charlton County (5-5) at Macon County (5-5)