Week One: Predicting, previewing opening week of Big Bend football games
It's time for the Big Bend football regular season to kick off.
With a packed slate of football scheduled for Thursday and Friday, area teams are looking to start the year 1-0. Rickards play the lone Thursday game, traveling to Crestview, and Friday sees three Big Bend teams host action.
As the countdown to kickoff nears, it is time to jump into the week one Big Bend football schedule to break down the matchups and make predictions on who starts the season with a victory.
More: Big Bend Power Rankings: A shake up at the top, new entrant highlight week one rankings
Thursday Game
Rickards at Crestview 8 p.m.
Breakdown: Rickards come into the game with a limited showing in its Kickoff Classic, but in the quarter of varsity play the Raiders scored two touchdowns, showing offensive promise. Junior quarterback Benjamin Henry threw for two touchdowns and nearly 100 yards, and if he can get going the Rickards offense will come to life. Look for the Raiders to mix its offensive play calling by balancing the pass by handing off to star junior running back Kemarrion Battles.
Prediction: Rickards 28-24 Crestview
Friday's Games
Halifax Academy at Aucilla Christian 7 p.m.
Breakdown: The Warriors had an impressive display in its Kickoff Classic game, beating Fullington Academy 20-7. Aucilla Christian's biggest question this year is how does it replace Jace Grant, and the preseason answer seemed to be with junior running back Josh Agner, who rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Kickoff Classic game. With head coach Colby Roberts also having a solid wide receiving corps, the Warriors have a balanced offense to take into week one against a Halifax team that struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard last season.
Prediction: Aucilla Christian 27-7 Halifax Academy
Fort Walton Beach at Godby 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Godby held Raines close in its Kickoff Classic game, falling to the Jacksonville powerhouse 13-6. The Godby defense had a good showing to keep Raines quiet for most of the game, something it should expect to carry over into its game against Fort Walton Beach. Godby's offense has a chance to find itself in this week one matchup against Fort Walton Beach, with sophomore wide receiver Tylan Vickers poised for a big game.
Prediction: Godby 33-17 Fort Walton Beach
Wakulla at Chiles 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Chiles defense turned heads with its Kickoff Classic performance against Florida High, holding the Seminoles' explosive offense to six points in two quarters. The Timberwolves host another powerhouse offense in Wakulla this week, who came back to beat Madison County 35-28 in its preseason game. The War Eagles will have a point to prove after a slow start in the Kickoff Classic game, and the Chiles defense is going to be tested from the first whistle.
Prediction: Wakulla 31-21 Chiles
FAMU DRS at Boezman 7 p.m.
Breakdown: The Baby Rattles take a trip to Panama City to face Boezman to open its regular season. FAMU DRS fell in its Kickoff Classic game to Cottondale, 32-8, and the Baby Rattlers will look to gain momentum in week one. The defense needs to make an impact to keep Boezman quiet, and if the Baby Rattlers can keep the Bucks off the scoreboard early they have a chance.
Prediction: FAMU DRS 8-24 Boezman
North Florida Christian at Leon 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Both teams lost in Kickoff Classic week, but with NFC holding 1R State Champions Hawthorne to a close game and looking for a game to let its offense loose, it could be a big day for the Eagles. Leon didn't get on the board against Rickards and allowed some big plays from the Raiders offense. The Lions will need to be sharp on defense and take every opportunity they get on offense to capitalize.
Prediction: NFC 41-24 Leon
Carrollwood Day at Madison County 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: An intriguing matchup between Carrollwood Day and Madison County, the Cowboys have a chance to set the tone for its season with a victory. Pushing Wakulla to its limits in the Kickoff Classic, Madison County's defense frustrated the War Eagles and if it performs at a similar level against Carrollwood Day it could be a winning start to the year for the Cowboys.
Prediction: Carrollwood Day 17-28 Madison County
Fort White at Taylor County 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: Taylor County comes into week one off the back of a 50-6 loss in its Kickoff Classic game against Williston. The Bulldogs host Fort White in the regular season opener and if they want to pick up the win, the defense needs to have a strong performance to allow its offense to get meaningful points on the board. Taylor County will hope to open its season the same way it did last year, with a win over Fort White.
Prediction: Fort White 14-23 Taylor County
Jefferson County at Hamilton County 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: Jefferson County travels to Hamilton County to open its season, and the Tigers are looking for a promising start to its 2023 campaign. Both programs are desperate to start the season with a victory and if the Tigers can start strong on defense they'll have a chance to knock off the Trojans.
Prediction: Jefferson County 13-21 Hamilton County
Deerfield-Windsor at Maclay 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: The Maurdeers open up its regular season with a home matchup against Deerfield-Windsor. The big question for Maclay is how does it replaces quarterback Michael Grant and his offensive production. Maclay took on Chipley in its Kickoff Classic game, and the Maurdeers will hope to open the season with a home victory over Deerfield-Windsor.
Prediction: Deerfield-Windsor 13-24 Maclay
St. John Paul II at IMG Academy White 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: The Panthers take on IMG Academy White in a competitive matchup for JPII to open up its season. Traveling to Bradenton, JPII will want a statement victory after a 37-7 loss in its Kickoff Classic game. With Tremaine Hughes Sr. taking control of his first competitive game for the Panthers, he'll need his offense clicking to take down IMG Academy White.
Prediction: JPII 14-31 IMG Academy White
Gadsden County at Lowndes 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown: Gadsden County travels to face Lowndes in a powerhouse week one matchup. The Jaguars lost its Kickoff Classic game to Jacksonville University Christian 36-26, and its new-look roster grew into the game as the quarters went on. Lowndes beat Christ School (North Carolina) 46-21 in its first game of the season, and Gadsden County will have its work cut out for its regular season opener.
Prediction: Gadsden County 17-34 Lowndes
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Predicting Tallahassee area week one football games
