JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The high school football playoffs are off and running, with more than a dozen area teams in the News4JAX coverage region heading to the second round of the postseason.
In Region 1-6A, Mandarin, playing without suspended star Brysen Wright, had no trouble with visiting Crestview in a 42-14 win. Wright had to sit out after receiving two unsportsmanlike penalties in a Week 11 win over St. Augustine. The Mustangs (10-1) will host Pace (10-1) in the second round.
Ponte Vedra used a big play in overtime to stave off an upset against eighth-seeded Niceville in a 31-30 thriller. The Sharks, up 17-14 in the fourth quarter, had chances to pull away in regulation. But Niceville blocked a field goal and then saw a Sharks interception overturned by a penalty. The Eagles wound up scoring on that drive. Ponte Vedra scored first in OT and Niceville got into the end zone on its possession before JP Dolan blocked the PAT to clinch the win. That sets up a rematch against Beachside in the second round.
The Barracudas (8-3) won their first playoff game in program history with a 23-7 victory over Milton.
St. Augustine and Ed White set up a second-round rematch in Region 1-4A. The Yellow Jackets (10-1) raced to a 28-6 first quarter lead, scoring on offense (Brenton James TD pass to Julio Santiago), defense (a pick-six by Marquell Elmore) and special teams (punt return by Santiago and a kickoff return by Trendell Anderson). The Commanders topped Pine Forest 41-20, and will get another shot at the team that ousted them last year. Also moving on in 1-4A was Columbia, which clocked Rickards 35-0.
In 1-3A, Raines had no trouble with Baker County in a 43-6 romp. The Vikings (10-0) will host West Florida, a 24-16 winner over Yulee, in the second round. Bishop Kenny pulled away for a 43-19 win over Wakulla. The Crusaders (9-2) also got a boost when seventh-seeded Godby upset No. 2 Bay, meaning Kenny will host Godby next week.
In Region 1-2A, Bolles clobbered Walton 63-13. It will host Florida High, a 42-31 winner over Baldwin in the second round. Bradford crushed Avon Park 55-0 in Region 2-2A and will host an always dangerous Berkeley Prep next.
In Region 1-1A, Impact Christian won its first ever playoff game, hammering host Episcopal 36-0. The Lions (8-3) will travel to top-seeded University Christian in the second round. UC beat Trinity Catholic 55-14. Trinity Christian topped Providence 42-16, and will host Maclay in the next round.
In the Georgia High School Association playoffs, Brunswick was the big winner with a 78-30 win over Winder-Barrow in the Class 5A opener. Ware County (4A) topped Flowery Branch 44-27, Pierce County (2A) beat Ringgold 45-14 and Charlton County (Class A Division II) had no trouble with Macon County in a 35-7 win. Only Glynn Academy, a 50-7 loser to Jackson County, failed to advance among the local teams. Only Brunswick (9-2) will host a game next week as Gainesville (9-2) visits. Pierce County travels to Carver, Charlton heads to Screven County and Ware County heads to Creekside. Those three teams’ opponents are all 11-0.
In the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs, West Nassau atoned for a loss to rival Fernandina Beach last year with a 20-10 win that sends them on to the state championship game. The Warriors (12-1) will face Delray Beach American Heritage (9-3) for the state crown in the SSAA’s highest division at The Villages Charter.
Regional quarterfinal playoffs
Friday’s results
Region 1-7A
(1) DeLand 70, (8) Creekside 21
Region 1-6A
(2) Mandarin 42, (7) Crestview 14
Region 1-5A
(1) Ponte Vedra 31, (8) Niceville 30, OT
(4) Beachside 23, (5) Milton 7
(2) Mainland 34, (7) Middleburg 13
Region 1-4A
(1) St. Augustine 70, (8) Arnold 21
(4) White 41, (5) Pine Forest 20
(3) Columbia 35, (6) Rickards 0
Region 1-3A
(1) Raines 43, (8) Baker County 6
(5) West Florida 24, (4) Yulee 16
(3) Bishop Kenny 43, (6) Wakulla 19
Region 1-2A
(4) Florida High 42, (5) Baldwin 31
Region 2-2A
(1) Bradford 55, (8) Avon Park 0
Region 1-1A
(1) University Christian 55, (8) Trinity Catholic 14
(5) Impact Christian 36, (4) Episcopal 0
(2) Trinity Christian 42, (7) Providence 16
(3) Maclay 39, (6) NFEI 18
Regional semifinals
Friday, Nov. 21
Region 1-6A
(4) Nease (9-2) at (1) Buchholz (10-1)
(3) Pace (10-1) at (2) Mandarin (10-1), 6:30 p.m.
Region 1-5A
(4) Beachside (8-3) at (1) Ponte Vedra (9-2)
Region 1-4A
(4) White (9-2) at (1) St. Augustine (10-1)
(3) Columbia (9-2) at (2) Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (10-1)
Region 1-3A
(5) West Florida (7-4) at (1) Raines (10-0), 6:30 p.m.
(7) Godby (5-6) at (3) Bishop Kenny (9-2)
Region 1-2A
(4) Florida High (5-6) at (1) Bolles (10-1)
Region 2-2A
(5) Berkeley Prep (5-4) at (1) Bradford (10-1), 7:30 p.m.
Region 1-1A
(5) Impact Christian (8-3) at (1) University Christian (8-3)
(3) Maclay (8-3) at (2) Trinity Christian (7-4)
GHSA playoffs, first round
Friday’s results
Class 5A playoffs
Jackson County 50, Glynn Academy 7
Brunswick 78, Winder-Barrow 30
Class 4A
Ware County 44, Flowery Branch 27
Class 2A playoffs
Pierce County 45, Ringgold 14
Class A Division II
Charlton County 35, Macon County 7
GHSA playoffs, second round
Friday, Nov. 21
Class 5A playoffs
Gainesville (9-2) at Brunswick (9-2)
Class 4A playoffs
Ware County (9-2) at Creekside (11-0)
Class 2A playoffs
Pierce County (9-2) at Carver (11-0)
Class A Division II
Charlton County (6-5) at Screven County (11-0)