Will we see any regional semifinal upsets? Six bold predictions for Gainesville area football

It’s about to get real, folks.

One round of the postseason is over, and with it came the departure of five Gainesville-area teams.

Now, the field has narrowed to nine.

All six games involving local squads will be played on Friday night, including three that match local vs local.

We usually cap the number of predictions at five, but given that magic number of six, let’s raise it to that.

Here are six (bold) predictions for the regional semifinals:

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Buchholz football will allow its highest point total in three months but still prevail

Making any prediction against the top-seeded Bobcat (11-0) defense is a risky proposition.

The group, led by Myles Graham and Kendall Jackson, allowed 31 points in September at Riverview Sarasota. Since, though, Buchholz allowed no more than 21 (October 27 at Fleming Island).

That changes Friday when fourth-seeded Ponte Vedra (8-3) comes to Citizens Field.

The Sharks pose BHS’ biggest challenge this season defensively.

They scored 49 last week vs Creekside, and Ponte has topped the 21-point mark in all but one game this season.

The Bobcats at times have struggled against dual-threat QBs like PV’s Benjamin Burke, who has thrown for 2,000 and rushed for 600.

However, the ‘Cats offense has scored 30 or more in every game. Give me Trace Johnson and Co. to send Buchholz to the Regional Final.

Run game the difference for Hawthorne vs Newberry

Alachua County’s west side meets its east side Friday night under the lights of Annie Mae Phillips Stadium.

On paper, the defending champion and second-seeded Hornets (9-0) should drum the third-seeded Panthers (9-2), just like they did 40-10 in week two.

But this is a different Newberry squad. Its only other loss came on October 6 by two to Williston.

However, one issue that’s continued to plague the Panthers is run defense. In its 49-16 loss to Newberry last week, Chiefland still ran for 154.

A lack of run defense isn’t ideal vs Hawthorne, with dual-threat CJ Ingram behind center and Keenon Johnson in the backfield.

In a game that’ll likely come down to a handful of plays, I expect Johnson and Ingram to lead Hawthorne into that highly-awaited showdown with Williston for the Region 4 title.

Fourth time isn’t the charm for Eastside at Bradford

To call No. 1 seed Bradford (11-0) a kryptonite for Eastside is an understatement.

The two met three times since the start of 2022, and the combined score of those three? 99-7 in favor of the Tornadoes.

I want to say this time proves different for the four-seeded Rams (8-3), but I just can’t pull the trigger. Eastside’s penalty and mistake-ridden performance last week against Palatka doesn’t inspire much confidence.

If the Rams don’t fix these mistakes, the Tornadoes will sweep them away. Even if they do, I don’t see EHS scoring enough on a completely dominant Bradford defense.

Union County’s tough schedule pays off

To me, the most intriguing game of the night is at Fort White, where the No. 2 seed Indians (9-1) welcome the third-seeded Fightin’ Tigers (7-3).

I covered this game in more detail, but this game represents a clash in scheduling. Union County scheduled a tough slate, with three teams ranked in the top 82 statewide. Fort White’s best opponent other than Williston, which won by 35, was Lafayette (ranked 224).

This game could go in either direction, but Fort White’s lack of a close game will hurt. Union County lost two games by a combined four points, and now is the time for the Tigers to buck that trend.

Union County will go back to the regional final for the fifth year in a row.

Williston runs Pahokee back to South Florida in the battle of devils

Pahokee rides into Levy County from its 233 mile trip with pedigree and confidence after a 49-0 win over Dixie County.

Unfortunately for the fourth-seeded Blue Devils (6-4), they’ll run into one of the best run teams in the state in top-seeded Williston (10-0).

The Red Devils ran for 3,150 yards in the regular season, and in its two of its four losses, Pahokee allowed over 125 yards rushing.

Williston is hungry to go to states, and while a massive boulder sits in its way next week with either Hawthorne or Newberry, Pahokee is a little pebble that Williston will easily kick to the curb.

Madison County scores at will against Lafayette

Nothing against Lafayette, but this is the easiest game of the night to pick.

No. 1 seed Madison County (7-1) is in top gear. The Cowboys, 2021 state champions, are officially back after falling in the regional semis last season.

Credit to fourth-seeded Lafayette (7-4) for getting to this point after a 4-3 start, but Madco isn’t Branford. The Cowboys scored at least 22 in every game and failed to allow more than 22 in a win.

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: Gainesville area FHSAA high school football playoffs reaches second round