Northeast Florida high school football is here: 6 Friday night games to watch in Week 1
Kickoff time is now for high school football across Northeast Florida.
Among the key storylines in a very busy Week 1: Gainesville Buchholz travels to Columbia in a matchup of 2022 state semifinalists with new coaches; Creekside welcomes a Palm Beach Central squad that has been plagued by eligibility controversies; future college quarterbacks face off with Rodney Tisdale Jr. and First Coast heading to meet James Resar and Bishop Kenny; and Riverside takes on Westside in an unusual opening-week district matchup, with the winner moving in front early in the three-team District 3-2M.
Here's a closer look at some of the games to watch.
Fletcher at Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.
It's Super 11 time: A Super 11 quarterback (Fletcher's Marcelis Tate) faces two Super 11 defensive backs (Mandarin's A.J. Belgrave-Shorter and Jon Mitchell) in a matchup that's produced some classics. In 2018, Hunter May downed future Georgia quarterback Carson Beck shy of the goal line in overtime to send the Senators to the playoffs. Last year, the pass rush powered Mandarin to a 27-20 win, including three sacks from linebacker Jackson Copeland.
Bartram Trail at Ponte Vedra, 7 p.m.
A nail-biter waiting to happen? Five of the team's last six meetings have come down to a single score, including last year, when Bartram Trail won 13-7 with two touchdowns from Super 11 quarterback Riley Trujillo. Another Super 11 recruit, Jake Guarnera, helps lead a Ponte Vedra offense that caused a lot of problems for Mandarin in the kickoff classic, in notable performances for running back Brian Case and receiver Cole Madson. The Bears lead the all-time series 11-2.
White at Trinity Christian, 7 p.m.
A rare matchup for Trinity against Gateway Conference opposition, and a rematch of a 2022 thriller that the Conquerors won 48-40. White rolled up 381 yards on the ground in that one, and Trinity had 341, with 189 of them coming from Darnell Rogers. When Trinity has the ball, keep an eye on the secondary, where Joshua Patterson and the Commanders' defensive backfield try to contain a Conqueror passing game with Miles Burris, Kyle Boylston and a multitude of threats.
Baker County at Bradford, 7:30 p.m.
The rivals' third meeting in barely a year as Tornadoes coach Jamie Rodgers faces off against his former school. Bradford beat Baker County 21-0 in a lightning-shortened 2022 opener, the first of their nine shutouts, and won the rematch for the regional final 28-17. Watch the ground game, where 1,100-yard senior Willie Pollard keeps the ball moving for the Tornadoes and Benny Lewis and Malakhi Lewis are exciting newcomers for the Wildcats.
Under the lights: In-depth guide to Northeast Florida high school football for 2023 season
Raines at University Christian, 7:30 p.m.
The first regular-season football meeting on record for two Jacksonville giants. As strong as they are now, some of the top talent in this game is still in the junior class, highlighted by linemen Solomon Thomas and Jyon Simon for Raines and by receiver Jenoa Alford and quarterback Dwayne Stuckey for UC. Raines' defense limited Tallahassee Godby to single digits last week.
St. Augustine at Bolles, 7:30 p.m.
Two of Northeast Florida's best in action at Skinner-Barco Stadium. This one includes future college quarterbacks (St. Augustine's Locklan Hewlett and Bolles' D.J. Moore are committed to Wake Forest and Coastal Carolina, respectively) and a host of young receivers with college interest, including Carl Jenkins and Trenton Jones for the Jackets and Naeem Burroughs and Chase Collier for the Bulldogs. Burroughs was too hot for the Jackets to handle last year, catching six passes for 178 yards to spark a 34-13 Bolles win in his high school debut.
WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
Games 7 p.m. unless noted
FLORIDA
Atlantic Coast at Parker, 6:30 p.m.
Baker County at Bradford, 7:30 p.m.
Bartram Trail at Ponte Vedra
Bell Creek Academy at Eagle's View
Bishop Snyder at Stanton, 6:30 p.m.
Cedar Creek Christian at Branford, 7:30 p.m.
Clay at Fleming Island, 7:30 p.m.
Duval Charter at Christ's Church
Englewood at Paxon, 6:30 p.m.
First Coast at Bishop Kenny
Flagler Palm Coast at Suwannee, 7:30 p.m.
Fletcher at Mandarin, 6:30 p.m.
Fort White at Taylor County, 7:30 p.m.
Gainesville Buchholz at Columbia, 7:30 p.m.
Gainesville Oak Hall at St. Joseph
Impact Christian at Harvest Community
Interlachen at Union County, 7:30 p.m.
Jackson at Nease
Kissimmee Victory Charter at Joshua Christian, 6 p.m.
Menendez at Ridgeview
Middleburg at Hawthorne
Orange Park at Oakleaf
Palm Beach Central at Creekside
Providence at Fernandina Beach
Raines at University Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Ribault at Sandalwood, 6:30 p.m.
Riverside at Westside, District 3-2M, 6:30 p.m.
St. Augustine at Bolles, 7:30 p.m.
TDH Academy at Chipley
Tocoi Creek at Beachside
Umatilla at Palatka
West Nassau at North Florida Educational
White at Trinity Christian
Wolfson at Baldwin, 6:30 p.m.
Young Kids in Motion at Hilliard
Yulee at Charlton County, 7:30 p.m.
Zarephath Academy at Episcopal
GEORGIA
Brunswick at Camden County, 7:30 p.m.
Glynn Academy at McIntosh County Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Ware County at Richmond Hill, 7:30 p.m.
BYE: Keystone Heights
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville high school football: Games to watch, 2023 season kickoff
