KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Keystone Heights High football coach Steven Reynolds made it very clear to his team at the onset of his first season as head coach for the Indians that his goal was to get the team back to playoff status after their 10-2 region run in 2021 under coach Chuck Dickinson.

With graduation taking most of that 2021 team, Reynolds rambled through a 2-8 season, but kept his chin in the game that the youth of his 2022 team would produce in 2023.

Now, with one week in 2023, Reynolds is about to deliver on his wish as Keystone Heights sits as a probable seventh seed in region 2-2S.

"We're looking at Baldwin with a loss last week and us winning to put us as the seventh seed," said Reynolds, knowing that top region seed Bradford, unbeaten and a 48-6 winner over Keystone Heights looms as a region opponent. "Right now, we are looking at either Yulee or Baker County as our first round opponent."

About 20 miles north of Keystone Heights, Middleburg was locked in as a number six seed in district 3-3S with games against Orange Park, also 3-3S, and Fernandina Beach (2-2S)able to maybe give a scintilla of padding on a top eight finish for the Broncos.

Well, no one told Orange Park's squad that Middleburg was supposed to win that game and the Raiders, who had a minute chance of a playoff spot needed an impressive win to get a nod.

Well, 41-22, two pick six interception touchdowns, a 98 yard opening kickoff touchdown, a 67 yard touchdown run and Orange Park put the pedal to the medal against Middleburg.

Will it drop Middleburg, probably not? But, what a way for coach Marcus Wimberly to remind Orange Park that the Raider folklore of region final finishes may be imminent.

Oakleaf, just a hair in front of Fleming Island in the district 3-4S mess, had a shot at knocking on the door of a three way tie somewhere down the line with an upset by Fleming Island of top dog Buchholz in a Friday of significant interest on both ends.

OMG! Both Oakleaf and Fleming Island, kudos to the boys for playing with big heart, had both teams on the ropes in their games.

Unfortunately, championship teams find ways and Bartram Trail and Buchholz found ways.

"What I love about this team, just look over there, is that they care so much about this team," noted Oakleaf coach Chris Foy, after his post-game chat with his team as he watched tearful eyes heading to the bus. "They put it out there. We have to find a way to close these games for our future."

Over at Clay, in another 3-3S clash, Blue Devil fans saw a heroic effort by senior Payton Dykas to create an upset of top seed St. Augustine. Dykas was nearly everywhere on the field until an excruciating leg injury took him out of the game.

In the final Friday, Oakleaf and Clay play, Fleming Island and Orange Park play, Middleburg has Fernandina Beach, and Ridgeview ends a one win season thus far with a road trip to a pretty good Crescent City team bent on increasing their win total above one. Keystone Heights travels to P.K. Yonge for their final game.

Region 1-4S

Buchholz 8-0-0.

Ponte Vedra 7-1-0

Niceville 7-1-0

Bartram Trail 4-4-0

Navarre 6-2-0

Pace 6-2-0

Chiles 5-3-0

Creekside 4-4-0

Leon 5-3-0

Mosley 5-3-0

Nease 5-3-0

Tocoi Creek 4-4-0

Flagler Palm Coast 3-5-0

Oakleaf 2-5-0

Tate 4-4-0

Fleming Island 2-6-0

Region 1-3S

St. Augustine 7-0-0

Lincoln 7-1-0

Choctawhatchee 6-2-0

Matanzas 6-2-0

Pine Forest 5-4-0

Columbia 3-4-0

Middleburg 4-4-0

Escambia 5-3-0

Fort Walton Beach 5-3-0

Rickards 2-6-0

Menendez 3-5-0

Clay 4-4-0

Orange Park 3-5-0

Region 2-2S

Bradford 8-0-0

Yulee 6-2-0

Baker County 5-3-0

Palatka 7-1-0

Eastside 5-3-0

Baldwin 5-3-0

Keystone Heights 4-4-0

Fernandina Beach 3-5-0

Atlantic 3-5-0