ORANGE PARK - Two big questions come from Week One of Friday night football in Clay County with the Orange Park Raiders blasting Ridgeview 26-0 and Oakleaf taking down a tough Riverside team 35-7 as both teams prepare to face on Friday.
Oakleaf looked much like the Oakleaf that has been expected in 2024 with quarterback Jack McKissock showing more and more comfort guiding the Knights' vaunted offensive machinery and the Knight's defense getting thunderous defense from front liners Amare "Biggie" Thomas and Mason "the Monster" Thomas against Riverside.
Orange Park, though impressive in their opener against Ridgeview and their first-year coach Merlin Smith, must have shaken off the rust from their 53-0 preseason loss to Mandarin. The difference between Mandarin and Ridgeview is the question of Orange Park's impressive opener. Orange Park picked up a handful of Ridgeview fumbles and showed a strong run game with five ball carriers.
Look for Oakleaf to keep the gas pedal at full throttle and be in the same league as Mandarin with those two teams destined to clash on October 10.
Fleming Island, with a snoozer first half against Clay, a 13-3 deficit, woke up in the second half and won a 30-20 contest amidst a field looking like a flag day in Green Cove Springs. That can't happen at Riverside High where the atmosphere will be even more electric than the Blue Devil maelstrom.
One big question will be whether senior quarterback Cibastion Broughton will be on the field as the four-year starter was ejected in the fourth quarter at Clay for two unsportsmanlike flags. Without Broughton, sophomore backup quarterback Eric Gentry will be playing in a place known for loud crowds and big bodies flying.
Fleming Island has the speed to match up with Riverside, but handing off all night won't win the game.
Keystone Heights was impressive in a 29-0 win over Interlachen; a second win as both played in their preseason scramble and the Indians will host a traditional powerhouse and rival in Union County. Union County won a 14-13 game over Yulee in their opener and promised tough defense for the Indians and quarterback Baylor Ford. Ford hit touchdown passes of 38 yards to Andrew Wilson and a 40-yarder in the second half.
The first quarter saw fullback Zane Leger blast away for 152 yards on the ground and two scores to put Keystone Heights on the board early and hard. Leger's wingman, Colton Hollingsworth, added another 99 yards rushing for the Indians.
Kicker Tanner Campbell kicked a 38-yard field goal as well.
Middleburg won a 13-0 game over Westside and heads to North Florida Education Institution.
On a sloppy field, senior Jaden Boyd had an interception, and a fumble recovery for a score while quarterback Carson Stewart scored on a run play.
Linebacker Kadin Hanifen had 16 tackles with Peyton Mooningham adding another 16 stops.
NFEI, 2-8 last year, won a 28-6 game over Hollis Christian Academy.
For Clay, after their 13-3 halftime lead on Fleming Island got extinguished to a 30-20 loss, the regroup must occur with a tough Yulee squad led by a name, Preston Matricardi at quarterback, son to former Orange Park baseball coach Fred Matricardi, and Orange Park girls basketball district champion Mandi Matricardi. Preston Matricardi, just a sophomore, has already been offered by FSU for baseball. Matricardi is a dual-threat quarterback with 83 yards on 10 carriers and a score in a 14-13 loss to Union County in the season opener.

Week Two/Aug 30

Game to Watch
Fleming Island at Riverside
Riverside at home is a party and the Generals take their home games seriously. Thus, Fleming Island's speed will be matched up nicely on both sides. A bounce here and there could be the scoremaker. Look for Sebastian Cruz, Fleming Island safety, to make big plays downfield, possible pick-six.
Fleming Island's first big win of the season against a contender.

Oakleaf at Orange Park
Union County at Keystone Heights
Middleburg at NFEI
Yulee at Clay

Upset of the week

Ridgeview at West Nassau
Should Merlin Smith's team give Marcus Wimberly's team a good game in the season opener, Ridgeview may be primed to get the first win of many for Merlin the Magician. Smith likes the power, off-tackle game and West Nassau could be susceptible at the point of attack. QB Jack Buchholz is a John Elway-like tough guy and this game could reset the Panther tone for the rest of the season.
West Nassau took a 22-20 loss to Paxon in their season opener then rebounded for an impressive 34-7 over Frederica Academy out of Georgia, a region playoff finisher last season in Class AAA.