ORANGE PARK - With three teams on a BYE week last week—Oakleaf, Middleburg and Clay—the ramifications of games this Friday, Oct. 10 can't be more pronounced as Fleming Island may have taken a half step backward with their dramatic 30-27 loss to 7A-Creekside.

In the scheme of playoff points, Fleming Island's loss to Creekside is a harbinger of both teams' ability to win big games.

Creekside found a way. Fleming Island did not.

In the dramatic district 3-5A lineup, the Golden Eagles loss can be taken two ways—a loss to a 7A school that was in the playoffs last year or a loss in a game that showed much resilience against a formidable opponent that finished dramatically.

Either way, Fleming Island will need a bit of help from someone else to assure a spot in the regions. The Golden Eagles will learn soon enough which of the two scenarios fit as they venture to Beachside High this Friday.

Beachside High is currently riding a school-wide phenomena with a second in state ranked volleyball team at 22-2, a first in 3A ranked boys golf team a few weeks ago, now eighth, and a 5-1 football slate that was a notch below Fleming Island (3-3) last week in 5A football rankings; 18th and 19th. The rankings will surely sway significantly with Fleming Island's loss to Creekside and Beachside's 45-14 win over 6A-Tocoi Creek last week. Beachside blitzed Tocoi Creek with a 28-point third quarter after a 10-7 halftime score.

The only common factor is a 33-20 win by Beachside over Ponte Vedra.
Middleburg, also in district 3-5A, will feel the brunt of the Ponte Vedra attack that smoked Fleming Island's defense via air and ground; 174 from QB Cole Rosendahl with two scores and 156 yards rushing from Alex Winkles with three touchdowns, in the Sharks' 35-9 win over Fleming Island.

Middleburg proved mortal in their 28-27 win over Clay with the Blue Devils nearly pulling what would have been an upset of epic proportions. But Middleburg won, then dismantled Zarephath, Ridgeview and Orange Park with big numbers.
If Middleburg coach Ryan Wolfe gets the Ponte Vedra vs. Beachside as a twofer film swap, the offensive wizardry may be fruitful.

The Broncos' defense has been solid but have not faced the firepower of Ponte Vedra. It is in Bronco territory and that's a 12th man scenario.
On the edges, Orange Park finally got points on the scoreboard against winless Westside, 45-6, after two consecutive shutouts; Bartram Trail and Middleburg, combined 70-0.

The Raiders may have needed to stay on the field this week to maintain momentum, but a BYE week may give coach Marcus Wimberly a chance to spice up the game plan.

The Raiders come back from the BYE as a maybe Dragon slayer with games against Ponte Vedra and Beachside on the docket. Orange Park could be Fleming Island's best friends after these two games are decided.

In 6A, Oakleaf will be rested and percolating with their return off a BYE against yet another contender in First Coast (4-2).

First Coast knows all about playoff games, but a 35-25 win over winless Sandalwood last week may be a glimpse of some vulnerability.

In 4A, Clay and Ridgeview will need to hold their breath and cross their fingers with two of the best programs in their district coming to town—St. Augustine to Clay and Columbia to Ridgeview. St. Augustine is 6-0, ranked second in Class 4A. Columbia is 5-1, ranked fifth in 4A. Enough said.

Coach Merlin Smith at Ridgeview got a much-needed win last week, albeit against winless KIPP, but nonetheless, a momentum catcher. Without Christian Felder in the backfield, Smith found a new set of fast legs in just enough time to make some impact. Maybe it will rain hard again.

Clay got a first win for coach Jeff Gierke and who knows how many onsides kicks the Yellow Jackets will be subject to.

Keystone Heights has Santa Fe (0-6) in town after an ugly 52-0 road trip to West Nassau and maybe the Gods of football will descend upon Keystone Heights and give the Indians some relief.