Five bold predictions and analysis for Week 2 of North-Central Florida high school football

We all know the adage in sports.

You win some, you lose some.

Turns out the same holds true for sports writers. In this space last week, I correctly nailed wins by Buchholz and Hawthorne, as well as good showings put up by GHS and PK Yonge.

However, I also predicted a close game by Columbia against the Bobcats (Buchholz won 41-13), and a win by Chiefland over Williston (they lost 44-7).

Oof.

But we all get second chances in life, and I am back with five more predictions for week two of the North-Central Florida high school football season. Reminder, follow me @noah_ram1 on X, formerly Twitter, for updates throughout Friday night. I'll be in Newberry, but I'll be sending out scores and stats from around the area, as well as running as a live scoreboard again, which fans can update themselves.

Okay, so onto the predictions. Let’s start first with the Alachua County, Class 1R showdown in Newberry.

More: Who was the top Gainesville-area athlete this week? Vote here for athlete of the week

Florida HS Football Rankings: USA Today Florida Network high school football poll: Two teams tied atop Class 4S

Newberry proves its chops against Hawthorne…but comes up just short

Newberry’s biggest test in years awaits it Friday night when defending state champion Hawthorne comes to town.

Former UF wide receiver and Newberry offensive coordinator Travis McGriff said the challenge doesn’t daunt the Panthers, which crushed Santa Fe 68-10 last week.

“We were a very young team last year, and now those young kids are significantly better,” McGriff said. “We’ve also got a couple of new speedy kids on offense.”

While Hawthorne lost a couple of key pieces from its title squad, it still returns QB CJ Ingram and new RB Keenon Johnson, both of whom excelled for the Hornets in their opening 26-9 win over Middleburg Friday.

Newberry’s talent has improved, especially with Travis’ son Keil at QB after he threw for 191 and four touchdowns against Santa Fe.

But the Hornets have been in big games before. They know what it takes. With Newberry, Williston and Union County, Class 1R is more competitive locally than it ever has been.

Hawthorne’s reign may end this season, but not on Friday.

Buchholz curtails Sarasota Riverview’s run game

In its first two games, Riverview ran roughshod over Hillsborough and Southeast (Bradenton). But Hillsborough and Southeast (a combined 5-14 in 2022) aren’t Buchholz.

The Bobcats dominant defense, led by transfer and Florida commit Myles Graham, returned in full force last week against Columbia. They held the Tigers to 13 points and no long drives.

More: Buchholz throttles Columbia 41-13 in continuation of Friday's game to improve to 1-0

Last season, BHS won 45-6 at home over Riverview. Rams coach Joshua Smithers said he expects his team to put up a better fight, and they have improved from last season.

But the Bobcats, ranked fourth in the state in the newest USA Today poll, still reside as one of the kings of Class 4S, and they’ll impose their will on defense.

Eastside will score a defensive touchdown and spoil Reynolds debut

While multiple new local coaches, like Buchholz’s Chuck Bell and PK Yonge’s Willie Jackson got their moment in the sun last week, Keystone Heights’ Steve Reynolds sat and waited a week to begin his rebuilding journey.

His first game? Against a coach in his shoes last season – Eastside’s Harold “Gator” Haskins.

I think Reynolds will turn the Indians around, but the Rams are just further ahead in development and talent. They’ll move to 2-0 and add another defensive score after Jaquez Whitehead returned a fumble for a TD last week in a 28-9 win over Inlet Grove.

Bradford continues shutout streak in slugfest over Baldwin

Baldwin’s solid defense, led by Vanderbilt commit Mason Carter, will give Bradford and running back Willie Pollard fits, and its offense looked impressive in a 40-3 win.

But let’s not forget, Bradford’s defense pitched a shutout in nine of 12 wins last season. It’s still an excellent unit, as evidenced by the 12-0 shutout win over Baker County last week.

But the offense looked stagnant at times. That’s why I am predicting a Tornado win, but in a low-scoring backyard brawl between two 2S foes.

Roberts and Williams each top 100 yards for Williston

Alright this one is a little less bold, given that Weeki Wachee lost to Crystal River 41-0 in week one.

But for two running backs to cross the century mark in the same game is impressive, and I think Tranard Roberts and Jamari Williams will do so again for the Red Devils. The two rushed for an astonishing 357 yards last week in the 44-7 win over Chiefland.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Top five predictions for week two HS football in the Gainesville area