Week Three

Thursday, Sept. 3

Atlantic Coast at Orange Park.

These two programs are on the verge of a breakout. Both are 0-2 with lopsided losses in Games 1 and 2. Orange Park lost to Andrew Jackson, 41-0, and to Oakleaf, 42-6, while Atlantic Coast has a 33-0 loss to Fleming Island and a 50-0 setback to Mandarin. Somebody has to score in this one.

Friday, Sept. 4

Middleburg at North Marion

Middleburg got tested in loss to Bartram Trail, and coach Ryan Wolfe liked the Broncos resolve. (Chapman Sellars story on page 27). North Marion has had two tough ones to open season - a 15-6 loss to Ocala Forest and a 26-12 loss to Trinity Catholic. Trinity has legendary coach John Brantley at the helm after a 4-6 finish last year.

Clay at Palatka

Keystone Heights at Hilliard

Keystone Heights got its first win under new coach Cameron Porch with a 33-8 decision against Gainesville PK Yonge. Led by a rugged defense and senior quarterback Cole Crabtree. the Indians had five consecutive scoring drives in the first three quarters. Defense got an early fumble recovery by D.J Hill that led to a field goal; Crabtree scored on a run just before the first quarter ended for a 10-0 lead. A botched punt snap by PK Yonge resulted a Mikey Gamble score to make it 17-0. Crabtree scored his second TD before the half with a run from Dalon Blankenship to the PK Yonge 15. Ryder Thomas kicked his third field goal at the buzzer to end the first half. Thomas kicked another field goal in the third to expand the advantage to 27-0. Crabtree then hit wide receiver Connor Mooneyham for the final score.

"Feels good to see the kids get that first win," said Keystone Heights coach Cameron Porch. "We committed a lot less mistakes and penalties as we have in first games and we had some big plays along the way - a few negated by penalties, but we saw the movement to the ball and the execution. We still have a big schedule in front of us."

Hilliard is 2-0 with wins of 37-13 over All Saints Academy and 41-8 over First Coast Christian. Hilliard senior running back DJ Alderman rushed for 261 yards in 24 carries against All Saints with three scores. Alderman finished with 1,790 yards and 21 scores last year.

Ridgeview, bye

Ridgeview had a solid 14-13 game after getting touchdowns from Amani Blount and Ty'aun Edmondson before halftime against a rugged Menendez team that came in following a 23-6 loss to Middleburg. But the second half proved less solid as Menendez came back to win, 32-13. The bye week will give Ridgeview coach Jason Smith a chance to regroup for a rivalry clash with Fleming Island on Sept. 11.

Game of the Week: Oakleaf at Fleming Island.

While this may lack the luster of past years because of changes in both programs, it's still a big game for Golden Eagle fans. Fleming Island got stung a few years ago at home by Oakleaf. Fleming Island's last win the series was in 2021 when Frank Garis was the coach for Oakleaf and Damenyum Springs led Fleming Island. Both teams are 1-1.

Week Four

Friday, Sept. 11

Keystone Heights, Oakleaf Byes

Orange Park at Clay

The two programs were projected to turn their seasons around. This one counts as a bit more than a rivalry game in the new District 4-4A lineup.

Ridgeview at Fleming Island

A second district matchup that carries some weight for the two programs that look to get a step toward the playoffs.

Game of the Week

St. Augustine at Middleburg

If Middleburg wants to be one of the elite programs it needs to win this one. The Broncos got a major upset last year against Beachside in an overtime clash on its home field. This game rises to that level.