FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High football coach Chad Parker has said numerous times that his game with Bartram Trail, now here and with the Bears at 5-0, is still just the "next" game.

Bartram Trail comes in hot to Fleming Island with a last-second loss to rival St. Augustine after both teams refused to let whatever lead was had stand.

In the end, the Bears lost 34-31 and that should irritate the Bartram Trail sideline when visiting the Golden Eagles.

Big passing against St. Augustine riddled the Yellow Jackets, but Braddock exorcised some Bear demons to win a close one and that may be a clue for Chipoletti to strategize. Bartram Trail has traditionally had a very confusing run attack strategy but that was the Sutherland era.

Against Titusville last week, the Golden Eagles got behind early and had to fight back, though not enough. Can't do that against Bartram Trail.

Middleburg revamped after a tortuous front schedule and took out a tough Ribault team and will face a Jekyll Hyde Ridgeview squad that scored 51 to win then allowed 50 to lose.

With Columbia down this year and Clay and Bishop Kenny (October 20 rain makeup) the final stretch, Wolfe could finish with the best season if "Old School" works. Kennard, though, is big-time "old school".

Hutchinson and Marshall are a strong downhill pair for Arnette; Deshun is a big target for passes. Cruce, Cody and Carter are likely to plug the line, so Malone better be on his horse. Coach Wolfe had the wheels turning against Ribault and saw some results.

Clay is off and deserves a break for Kennard to de-amp his heart after back-to-back spine tinglers.

Orange Park had Nease on the mat, but could not deliver the knockout on a woozy opponent. When they do, sooner rather than later, they will be formidable. Coach Wimberly is imploring just consistent, smart play. The athletes are there.

Oakleaf ran tough against Bolles and hit some long passes, always formidable and Creekside is treacherous turf, especially after taking out unbeaten Mandarin, 23-22, after being down 16-0. The Knights on Knights will be a grudge match at the line of scrimmage with Oakleaf holding an edge in explosive plays and fourth-quarter readiness.

Keystone Heights, with two 40-plus wins, needs some bad barbeque for Bradford County's pregame meal as the Tornadoes are rolling. If; a big if, Keystone Heights gets the turnovers and scores that have been a new trademark, this could be the upset of the decade for Reynolds.