Northeast Florida high school football, Week 9: Buchholz-Bartram Trail heads games to watch

Week 9 is here for Northeast Florida high school football, and for some teams, the season is close to make-or-break territory in the quest to keep playoff chances afloat.

Several district races are already settled, including Flagler Palm Coast in District 4-4S, Columbia in District 3-3S and Baldwin in District 5-2A. But others remain very much alive for Week 10.

Key Week 9 matchups to watch include Ponte Vedra's trip to Orange Park, where the playoff-chasing Sharks face a challenge from Raiders running back JoJo Restall; Palatka at Fernandina Beach, where the Panthers are fighting to preserve their perfect record against a Pirates squad finding a new rhythm on the ground with Ta'Jon Nelms; and Matanzas at Clay, which the Blue Devils must win to retain a chance at the District 4-3S championship.

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DISTRICT DECIDER: UNBEATEN BOBCATS MEET BEARS

It's not just about Northeast Florida: Friday night's visit of Buchholz to Bartram Trail ranks near the top of the must-watch games list for high school football across the Sunshine State.

Whether it's Riley Trujillo taking aim through the air, Laython Biddle charging for touchdowns on the ground or Sharif Denson patrolling the secondary, Bartram Trail has been too tough all-around for opponents in 2022. They tallied 59 points last week against Creekside. But in 2021 state semifinalist Buchholz, armed with one of the Sunshine State's top QBs in Mississippi State commit Creed Whittemore, they might be facing their toughest foe to date.

Bartram Trail and Buchholz have faced off nine times in the past decade, including a pair of Bears playoff victories in 2015 and 2016. Last year, though, Whittemore ran for 129 yards and passed for 75 as Buchholz came out on top, 28-13.

HOPES ALIVE FOR CREEKSIDE, FLEMING ISLAND

This one is more than just the other District 3-4S game: Creekside and Fleming Island are both in the hunt in their own right, and both teams could end up in a precarious position in the postseason race if they lose Friday.

Creekside couldn't slow down Bartram Trail's offense last week and must now take on the Golden Eagles, who average even more yards per game. Super 11 tailback Samuel Singleton is just one of Fleming Island's many weapons, coming off a 244-yard, three-touchdown week against Mandarin. For Creekside, special teams could be the deciding factor, from Ronald Daragjati's reliable kicks to Andrew Kelley's explosive returns.

Last year, Creekside forced two turnovers and stifled Fleming Island 26-0, only the second Knights victory in nine all-time meetings in the series.

WILDCATS' SMITH MEETS JACKSON DEFENSE

As runner, as receiver, as returner and now as defender, Baker County's Cam Smith has been making game-changing plays all over the field in 2022. This time, he faces off against Jackson's wrecking-ball linebacker Grayson Howard.

Smith scored three touchdowns last week, including the fourth-quarter score that helped push Baker County over the top in a 31-30 win at Yulee and nearly wrapped up an FHSAA playoff berth. Can he find running room against Jackson? In addition to Howard, Tiger defenders like Jeremiah Lovely and Thomas Fore have been constantly on the prowl, making up for bouts of inconsistency on offense. Jackson hasn't allowed more than 10 points to a Florida opponent all year.

The teams haven't played in 14 years, but Jackson was a regular victor in the series during the 2000s.

WHITE, RIBAULT IN GATEWAY DUEL

This is bubble time in the FHSAA playoff race, and while White looks nearly safe, a victory for Ribault in this one would go a long way toward stopping the Trojans' bubble from bursting.

Ribault appears locked in a three-way fight with Westside and Wolfson for the eighth berth in Region 1-2M, and since they've already lost to district foes Raines and Jackson, their only playoff chance is through the FHSAA rankings. But Damontrio Glee and freshman Timothy Cole spark an improved offense. White's offense is already potent, energized by Tavales Thomas and Davaughn Patterson, and they have the clear inside track on the District 3-2M championship.

The Ribault-White series isn't one that's occurred with great frequency over the years, although White has won eight of 11 meetings in the past 30 years. The Commanders shut out Ribault 12-0 in the most recent meeting in 2020, including six sacks.

RIVERSIDE, SANDALWOOD NEAR PLAYOFF BUBBLE

Two teams with playoff hopes face off in this all-Gateway Conference showdown at Dennis Bartley Field.

Riverside, although 2-6, could still squeeze into the Region 1-2M playoffs if they can ward off the turnover bug. They've lost possession 24 times in eight games, which means trouble in spite of the work of DeAvary Weeks, Zaire Moody and Jamal Harvey-Jackson on the defensive front. For Sandalwood, which can win District 1-4M by beating Mandarin in a week, there's little mystery about the offense: Jordan Bean will run and run, already above 1,000 yards for the second straight year.

The last scheduled game between Sandalwood and Riverside (then Lee) never kicked off because of Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

CAN PARKER TOP UC AGAIN?

University Christian was undefeated until last week at Trinity Christian. Parker had dropped six straight until last week at First Coast. But this is just the kind of game that could be tricky for the Fighting Christians if they let down their guard.

Despite their 2-6 record, Parker can be dangerous, as they showed by upsetting First Coast last week. Darrell Sawyer needs just 109 yards to reach 1,000 for the year, while David Smith, Lashun Mays and Clifton Richardson combined for seven sacks. But if the ever-explosive Orel Gray and electric sophomore wideout Jenoa Alford get the ball in their hands in open space, watch out. That's where UC inflicts so much damage.

University Christian already knows the threat from Parker: Last year, C.J. Dorsey intercepted two passes and Sawyer ran for 119 yards to defeat UC 28-14 in Week 9 action.

Thursday, Oct. 20

Trinity Christian (7-0) at Christ's Church (1-5), District 1-1M

Friday, Oct. 21

Alachua Santa Fe (1-6) at Union County (4-2), 7:30 p.m.

Baker County (5-2) at Jackson (6-1), 6:30 p.m.

Bishop Snyder (5-2) at Seven Rivers Christian (5-2), 7:30 p.m.

Branford (5-2) at Cedar Creek Christian (4-2)

Creekside (5-2) at Fleming Island (4-2), District 3-4S, 7:30 p.m.

Crescent City (4-3) at Beachside (4-3)

Dunnellon (5-2) at Bradford (7-0), 7:30 p.m.

Englewood (3-4) at Westside (1-6), 6:30 p.m.

Episcopal (5-2) at Yulee (3-3)

First Coast (4-2) at Paxon (2-5), 6:30 p.m.

Fort White (4-3) at Ridgeview (1-7)

Gadsden County (2-5) at Columbia (4-3), 7:30 p.m.

Gainesville (0-8) at St. Augustine (4-3), District 4-3S

Gainesville Buchholz (6-0) at Bartram Trail (7-0), District 3-4S

Harvest Community (2-4) at Providence (2-4)

Hilliard (6-2) at Destin Charter (1-6)

Impact Christian (1-5) at Wolfson (3-4), 6:30 p.m.

Madison County (2-5) at Oakleaf (3-4)

Matanzas (3-4) at Clay (2-5), District 4-3S

North Florida Educational (2-4) at Hamilton County (1-4), 7:30 p.m.

Orange Park (2-5) at Ponte Vedra (3-4)

Orlando Faith Christian (3-4) at Eagle's View (1-5)

Palatka (7-0) at Fernandina Beach (3-3)

Parker (2-6) at University Christian (7-1)

Pierson Taylor (1-6) at Keystone Heights (1-6), 7:30 p.m.

Raines (5-1) at Atlantic Coast (0-7), 6:30 p.m.

Riverside (2-6) at Sandalwood (4-3), 6:30 p.m.

St. Joseph (2-5) at Stanton (0-6), 6:30 p.m.

West Nassau (2-6) at Baldwin (6-1), District 5-2S, 6:30 p.m.

White (4-2) at Ribault (3-4), 6:30 p.m.

Young Kids in Motion (3-3) at Seffner Christian (3-4), 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA

Brunswick (7-0) at South Effingham (3-3), 7:30 p.m.

Evans (3-4) at Glynn Academy (4-4), 7:30 p.m.

Greenbrier (0-7) at Ware County (6-0), 7:30 p.m.

Valdosta (8-0) at Camden County (5-3), 7:30 p.m.

BYE: Bishop Kenny (7-1), Bolles (5-3), Charlton County (5-2), Fletcher (6-2), Mandarin (4-3), Menendez (4-4), Middleburg (3-5), Nease (1-7), Suwannee (5-3), TDH Academy (2-5), Tocoi Creek (5-3), Zarephath Academy (2-4)

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school football: Jacksonville Week 9 games, previews, schedule