High school football playoffs 2022: Northeast Florida teams ready for FHSAA regional final

The Florida High School Athletic Association continues the 2022 playoffs with the regional championships across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. The Times-Union looks ahead to Friday night's third-round postseason games across the First Coast. 

Region 1-2M

Raines (9-2) at Bolles (8-4)

7:30 p.m.

Road here: Raines defeated White 34-22 and Riverside 18-0; Bolles defeated Episcopal 38-6 and Bishop Moore 28-10.

Possible semifinalists (FHSAA ranking among bracket's remaining teams in parentheses): Clearwater Calvary Christian (No. 5), St. Petersburg Lakewood (No. 8),

Plantation American Heritage (No. 2), Cardinal Gibbons (No. 3), Miami Central (No. 1), Miami Norland (No. 4). Bolles ranks No. 6 among remaining Class 2M teams and Raines ranks No. 7.

Raines quarterback Roman Doles (8) looks to throw during an Oct. 21 game against Atlantic Coast.
Raines quarterback Roman Doles (8) looks to throw during an Oct. 21 game against Atlantic Coast.

Glance: They meet again. Jacksonville's traditional public-school and private-school giants faced off in a string of epic confrontations between 2011 and 2016 in both regular season and postseason — including four Bolles playoff wins and a 2011 Raines victory that ended Bolles' 19-year district winning streak — and the memories live on. The way these defenses are playing, 20 points might be enough for the win. JaMari Whitehead is coming off two and a half sacks for Raines in a shutout of Riverside, when the Vikings limited the Generals to 31 yards. The Vikings' offense has done enough to win: QB Roman Doles has rushed for 772 yards and seven scores, while Mark Miller scored one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown last week. The new threat for Bolles is Kavon Miller, seeing more time on the offensive side of the ball and rushing for five touchdowns in the past two games, while sophomore Ty Neal is up to 994 yards and 10 touchdowns. QB D.J. Moore hasn't been throwing often, but Naeem Burroughs, Kaleb Lampkins and South Carolina-committed tight end Connor Cox can make game-changing plays happen downfield. In addition to Miller and Kemani Wilson (three interceptions) in the secondary, Bolles' defensive stars also include Trent Carter (five forced fumbles) and Spencer Surface (two interceptions, two forced fumbles, four blocked kicks). A Bolles win would make the Bulldogs the first Northeast Florida team ever to reach 100 playoff victories.

INSIDE THE RIVALRY: MEETINGS SINCE 2010

Oct. 21, 2011    Raines 26, Bolles 21

Nov. 25, 2011    Bolles 24, Raines 6 (playoffs)

Oct. 19, 2012    Bolles 24, Raines 21

Sept. 20, 2013    Raines 45, Bolles 31

Nov. 22, 2013    Bolles 35, Raines 28 (2OT) (playoffs)

Sept. 19, 2014    Raines 34, Bolles 33

Nov. 21, 2014    Bolles 20, Raines 13 (playoffs)

Oct. 29, 2015    Raines 35, Bolles 30

Nov. 20, 2015    Raines 34, Bolles 8 (playoffs)

Oct. 28, 2016    Bolles 24, Raines 23

Nov. 18, 2016    Bolles 60, Raines 20 (playoffs)

Peak performers: Week 2 playoff stars from Columbia, Raines, more

How they got here: Second-round football regional wrap

Region 1-1M

University Christian (10-1) at Trinity Christian (11-0)

University Christian running back Orel Gray (4) attempts to break a tackle by Trinity Christian defensive back Elijah Crocker (12) during a high school football game on October 14, 2022. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
University Christian running back Orel Gray (4) attempts to break a tackle by Trinity Christian defensive back Elijah Crocker (12) during a high school football game on October 14, 2022. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

7:30 p.m.

Road here: University Christian defeated Orlando First Academy 42-13; Trinity Christian defeated Orlando Christian Prep 30-13.

Possible semifinalists: Clearwater Central Catholic (No. 4), Carrollwood Day (No. 6), Chaminade-Madonna (No. 2), Cardinal Newman (No. 5), True North (No. 7), Palmer Trinity (No. 8). Trinity Christian ranks No. 1 among remaining Class 1M teams and University Christian ranks No. 3.

Glance: It's a rematch from six weeks ago, when Trinity used a pair of Treyaun Webb touchdown runs to hold off UC 20-13 in a win that wrapped up a district championship and home field advantage for this game. Trinity Christian has dominated this series for the past three decades, topping University Christian 17 consecutive times, but the close meeting last time out showed that UC has a chance. University Christian will need another big game from Orel Gray, who's been coming through night after night. He's up to 1,739 rushing yards (2,602 all-purpose yards) and 33 touchdowns, five of those on returns. And quarterback-turned-QB-crusher Desirrio Riles (10 sacks) leads a flattening pass rush. But Trinity can now call on sophomore QB Colin Hurley (78 of 143, 1,303 yards, 15 TD, 3 INT), who missed the earlier meeting due to an arm injury. The blueprint on offense still leans on the 1,000-yard pair of Florida commit Treyaun Webb (1,017 yards, 18 TD) and Darnell Rogers (1,074 yards, 13 TD). The defense has grown, too, led by linebacker Cameron Anderson (131 tackles, 20.5 for loss, 7 sacks) and safety Kyle Boylston (6 interceptions).

Region 1-4S

Gainesville Buchholz (9-2) at Bartram Trail (12-0)

Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo (11) scrambles away from Buchholz defender Gavin Hill (6) during the teams' Oct. 21 game.
Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo (11) scrambles away from Buchholz defender Gavin Hill (6) during the teams' Oct. 21 game.

7 p.m.

Road here: Buchholz defeated Pace 35-34 and Crestview 54-33; Bartram Trail defeated Flagler Palm Coast 50-14 and Creekside 42-15.

Possible semifinalists: Lakeland (No. 2), Lake Minneola (No. 7), Vero Beach (No. 3), Kissimmee Osceola (No. 6), Venice (No. 4) or Sarasota Riverview (No. 8). Bartram Trail ranks No. 1 among remaining Class 4S teams.

Glance: It was just five weeks ago that Bartram Trail stymied a then-unbeaten Buchholz 21-6 at Bear Stadium, holding the Bobcats scoreless until the last snap of the game and clinching the District 3-4S title. But beating Buchholz a second time will mean not only containing future Division I receivers Ja'Carree Kelly and Jaren Hamilton, but also clamping down on Mississippi State-committed quarterback Creed Whittemore, who is playing like an Alachua County Superman right now. Not only did he pass for three touchdowns and rush for two last week against Crestview, but he also intercepted three passes on the defensive side of the ball. Bartram Trail is the only team to hold the Bobcats under 24 points. The Bears' offense right now is in steamroller mode, scoring 189 points in the last four games and burying FPC and Creekside with a scoring avalanche in the second and third quarters. When Laython Biddle isn't plowing into the end zone, the Bears' Riley Trujillo is beating teams with both his arm and his legs (161 rushing yards last week against Creekside). Zeke Cromwell, Caden Baldwin and Super 11 cornerback Sharif Denson are among the standouts on a battle-tested Bartram Trail defense.

Region 1-3S

Choctawhatchee (7-5) at Columbia (8-3)

Columbia wide receiver Camdon Frier runs downfield during a Sept. 23 game against Trinity Christian.
Columbia wide receiver Camdon Frier runs downfield during a Sept. 23 game against Trinity Christian.

7 p.m.

Road here: Choctawhatchee defeated St. Augustine 42-35 and Pensacola Pine Forest 30-29; Columbia defeated Tallahassee Lincoln 29-6 and Escambia 17-15.

Possible semifinalists: Lake Wales (No. 1), Zephyrhills (No. 6), Jensen Beach (No. 3), Daytona Beach Mainland (No. 5), Naples (No. 2), Fort Myers Dunbar (No. 4). Columbia ranks No. 7 among remaining Class 3S teams.

Glance: As long as Columbia's defense is playing like this, they're going to be a tough test for anybody. Four-star linebacker Jaden Robinson and a secondary with Amare Ferrell, Jerome Carter, Kani Fulton and more are creating turnovers at a dizzying rate, including a Robinson pick-six last week. And Tray Tolliver, back from injury woes, found the end zone in the return game last week. The Tiger offense has been up and down, although Camdon Frier can turn any pass into a highlight and Tyler Jefferson is a threat as both a passer and a runner. Choctaw has been living on the edge, fighting from 22 points down to stun St. Augustine and edging state No. 1 Pine Forest by a single point. Running back Cole Tabb is up to 2,269 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, and Choctaw's passing combination of Jesse Winslette (109 of 203, 1,774 yards, 20 TD, 6 INT) and Jayce Brown (44 catches, 847 yards, 12 TD) caused problems for both playoff opponents. A win would send the Tigers into the state final four for the first time since 2015.

Region 1-2S

Suwannee (10-2) at Florida High (12-0)

7:30 p.m.

Road here: Suwannee defeated Walton 39-15 and West Florida 17-14; Florida High defeated South Walton 63-44 and Pensacola Catholic 18-14.

Possible semifinalists: Bradford (No. 2), Baker County (No. 7), South Sumter (No. 3), Cocoa (No. 5), Bishop Verot (No. 6), Frostproof (No. 8). Suwannee ranks No. 4 among remaining Class 2S teams.

Glance: Florida High enters as the favorite not just for the region, ranked No. 1 statewide with an unbeaten record. Nonetheless, Florida High hasn't exactly looked invincible and has had to fight hard in both playoffs so far. They're picking up nearly 400 yards per game, with big gainers in the passing game (QB Jeremy Johnston, 122-192 for 1,847 yards; WR Brooks Hickman, 47 catches for 615 yards and 6 TD; WR Ashton Hampton, 24 catches for 458 yards and 6 TD) and the running game (RB Micahi Danzy, 1,145 yards and 13 TD; RB Rhyder Poppell, 721 yards and 10 TD). Ryan Knight, with 10 sacks and three forced fumbles, is particularly menacing on defense off the edge. Suwannee, which won four FHSAA titles in a row from 1987 to 1990, is getting tremendous all-around performances from Javarion Smith, who caught the winning touchdown pass from Bronsen Tillotson last time out. Marquavious Owens is now above 1,000 yards on the ground and the pass rush really stepped up against West Florida, with four sacks from Brandon Robinson as part of a team-wide eight-sack onslaught. Last year, Florida High overwhelmed Suwannee 35-6, with Hickman delivering both a TD pass and catching a touchdown reception.

Region 2-2S

Baker County (9-3) at Bradford (11-1)

7:30 p.m.

Road here: Baker County defeated Yulee 16-6 and Baldwin 31-29; Bradford defeated Crescent City 48-0 and Gainesville Eastside 37-0.

Possible semifinalists: Florida High (No. 1), Suwannee (No. 4), South Sumter (No. 3), Cocoa (No. 5), Bishop Verot (No. 6), Frostproof (No. 8). Bradford ranks No. 2 among remaining Class 2S teams and Baker County ranks No. 7.

Glance: The rivals meet for a trip to the final four. Bradford's defense is as tough as they come, limiting opponents to 31 total points all year, and Baker County knows the Tornadoes mean business after shutting them out 21-0 in a lightning-shortened season opener. Every defensive position for Bradford has been solid, from run stuffers like defensive tackle Dejon McBride to secondary stars Chalil Cummings and Ahman Covington. Bradford picked off three more passes last week in a blowout of Gainesville Eastside, and on offense, Willie Pollard and Dae'Jon Shanks are leading the charge to the end zone. That's a lot for Baker County, or anyone, to overcome. Cam Smith (1,590 rushing yards, 15 TD) is the Wildcats' key: He has eight 100-yard games this season, and he's a breakaway threat as a receiver and returner as well. Defensive end Orlando Holland and linebacker Seth Chestnut are Baker County's stars on defense. Baker County is seeking a second straight state semifinal trip, while for Bradford, a semifinal would be the first since losing to Suwannee in 1990.

Region 3-1R

Mayo Lafayette (10-2) at Union County (7-2)

Union County's Rayvon Durant (4) and Gavin Jenkins (3) celebrate an Aug. 26 touchdown against University Christian.
Union County's Rayvon Durant (4) and Gavin Jenkins (3) celebrate an Aug. 26 touchdown against University Christian.

7 p.m.

Road here: Mayo Lafayette defeated Branford 35-7 and Hilliard 31-13; Union County defeated Madison County 27-16.

Possible semifinalists: Northview (No. 3), Chipley (No. 5), Sneads (No. 6), Blountstown (No. 7), Hawthorne (No. 1) or Pahokee (No. 2). Union County ranks No. 4 among remaining Class 1R teams, and would play Northview or Chipley in state semis.

Glance: This is the Fightin' Tigers' chance to claw their way into a state semifinal for the first time since 2011. Right now, everything is going well for Union County, which overcame traditional nemesis Madison County last week. They've only lost to Class 1R quarterfinalist Hawthorne and Class 1M quarterfinalist University Christian. QB A.J. Cortese is a multiple threat behind center, passing for 1,265 yards and rushing for 549, and running back Rayvon Durant has picked up 1,328 rushing yards in his second consecutive 1,000-yard season on the ground. Markus Strong (15 tackles for loss, 7 sacks) ranks among Northeast Florida's top defensive line performers this season. Lafayette has won six straight, with help from a freshman quarterback in Tywan Williamson (61 of 118, 1,151 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT) and junior defensive end Amarie Fleming, who has 25 tackles for loss.

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX, and sign up for the First Coast Varsity newsletter at https://profile.jacksonville.com/newsletters/first-coast-varsity/.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school football playoffs 2022: Northeast Florida third-round preview