Northeast Florida high school football, Week 5: Columbia-Trinity headlines games to watch

The halfway point is near.

Northeast Florida's high school football season rolls into an active Week 5 across the Jacksonville area, with more than 30 games on the schedule and the area's first district title at stake.

The notable contests are many, including Raines' trip to Marion County to face Class 2S contender Ocala Trinity Catholic; a Gateway matchup on Duval County's western fringe as Parker travels to a Baldwin team fresh off a historic district success against rival Baker County; and action at the Shipyard, where First Coast aims to climb to 3-1 against visiting Westside and Super 11 defensive tackle Jordan Hall.

Several more teams are aiming to keep up strong starts: Ribault would achieve its first 4-1 start since 2002 by defeating Middleburg, Palatka is seeking its first 4-0 start since 2003 at Lake Weir, and a Bishop Kenny victory at West Nassau would give the Crusaders their first 5-0 start since the 2013 team that was built around future NFL quarterback John Wolford.

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COLUMBIA, TRINITY IN BLUE-CHIP CLASH

The Tigers are back on a roll, winners of their last two. Trinity is still perfect and still atop the Times-Union Power Poll after beating Bolles. It adds up to a big one on the Westside, including a host of major college prospects: Amare Ferrell, Jaden Robinson, Colin Hurley and Treyaun Webb are just the beginning.

Columbia's biggest question this year is simple: Can they fight off the turnover bug? Tyler Jefferson and Camdon Frier energize a dynamic offense that's won its last two, including a shutout of Madison County, but the Tigers have given the ball away 12 times in four games. If they're sloppy again, Cameron Anderson, Trevyn Smith, Kyle Boylston and the Trinity defense are more than ready to pounce.

Last year, Columbia became one more team to crumble under the combined onslaught of Darnell Rogers (135 rushing yards) and Webb (96 rushing yards), while the Conquerors' defense forced three turnovers in a 26-13 Trinity triumph.

What happened last time out? Mandarin, Fletcher, White, Jackson among Week 4 winners

KNIGHTS CHARGE AGAINST HIGH-FLYING MANDARIN

Creekside might have the best rushing attack in St. Johns County. Mandarin brings a passing game that's among the most exciting in Duval County. Buckle up.

Despite last week's loss to state semifinalist Gainesville Buchholz, the Knights have cause for encouragement, fighting back from a 20-point halftime hole with more touchdowns for running back Nicky Williams. Mandarin's Tramell Jones passed for two more scores in last week's 30-0 shutout of Atlantic Coast, while Tiant Wyche added 143 yards on the ground.

In 2021, it was Creekside's running game that emerged on top, carried by the churning legs of Preston Strope. The senior rushed for 167 yards and all three scores as the Knights won 20-16.

ST. AUGUSTINE INVADES BEARS' HOME

For 19 consecutive meetings between 2001 and 2017, St. Augustine found a way past Bartram Trail in a thrilling and sometimes perplexing rivalry where fourth-quarter fireworks and stunning Yellow Jacket escapes became an annual occurrence. Since 2018, though, the Bears have been in charge with four straight wins for the blue, black and silver side of the series.

Long noted for its offensive shootouts, Bartram Trail can still move the ball, but it's the defensive side — Sharif Denson and the Bears have held three of their four opponents to single digits — that has really stood out during a 4-0 start. That defense, back at home after three consecutive out-of-town wins (Seabreeze, Mainland and Lincoln), gets a new test from the explosive Devonte Lyons and the Yellow Jackets.

Bartram Trail got the upper hand last year, 26-14, in a game that wasn't wrapped up until rushing touchdowns for Cade Duncan and then AJ Megas inside the last 4:01.

INSIDE THE RIVALRY: LAST 10 MEETINGS

Oct. 19, 2012    St. Augustine 27, Bartram Trail 26

Sept. 20, 2013    St. Augustine 28, Bartram Trail 27

Sept. 19, 2014    St. Augustine 10, Bartram Trail 7

Sept. 25, 2015    St. Augustine 24, Bartram Trail 17 (OT)

Sept. 23, 2016    St. Augustine 26, Bartram Trail 14

Sept. 22, 2017    St. Augustine 31, Bartram Trail 28

Sept. 21, 2018    Bartram Trail 44, St. Augustine 14

Sept. 20, 2019    Bartram Trail 43, St. Augustine 40

Sept. 25, 2020    Bartram Trail 35, St. Augustine 21

Sept. 24, 2021    Bartram Trail 26, St. Augustine 14

BOLLES FLEES UNWANTED STREAK

Could Bolles lose three in a row? That's the fate the Bulldogs are seeking to avoid Friday against Benedictine. The Bulldogs last lost three in a row in 1999-2000 (a playoff loss to Trinity followed by two forfeits to open 2000), and they haven't dropped three straight on the field since going down to Father Lopez, Suwannee and North Marion in 1988.

After defeats to Brunswick and Trinity Christian, Bolles is suddenly 2-2. But there's still cause for optimism for the Bulldogs, including the emergence of Emmett Grzebin at running back and a tough defense with Trent Carter, Kavon Miller, Spencer Surface and more. They'll have to contend with Benedictine quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, who has committed to Florida State.

Winner of the Georgia High School Association's Class AAAA championship last fall, Benedictine holds a 6-1 record against Bolles as compiled by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, but the last meeting was far from recent: 40-12 on Oct. 30, 1953. Benedictine was also one of Bolles' first-ever opponents, defeating the Jacksonville school 44-0 in its 1934 varsity gridiron season.

DISTRICT AT STAKE FOR RIVERSIDE, WHITE

For Riverside, Friday's objective is simple enough. Beat White, a Westside rival for half a century, and the Generals earn the District 3-2M title and its automatic playoff berth with six weeks to spare.

Attaining that goal, though, might not be so easy. The Commanders have swamped nearly everyone, including Parker by a 37-0 count last week, using the three-pronged ground assault of Benny Lewis, Davaughn Patterson and Tavales Thomas. Plus, White's defense is holding opponents to 179 yards per game, and sophomore defensive back Joshua Patterson (two interceptions, one returned for a TD) is emerging as the team's next potential star.

Riverside will lean on quarterback Devin Herring, who accumulated 310 total yards (194 rushing, 116 passing) in last week's 28-26 loss to First Coast. The Generals have won the last four meetings, including a 28-14 success last season. A Commanders win would leave the district up for grabs until Oct. 28 when White meets Westside.

INSIDE THE RIVALRY: LAST 10 MEETINGS

Oct. 9, 2009    White 28, Lee 20

Oct. 8, 2010    White 56, Lee 0

Sept. 2, 2011    White 49, Lee 28

Aug. 31, 2012    White 49, Lee 24

Oct. 18, 2013    White 84, Lee 0

Oct. 17, 2014    White 41, Lee 6

Nov. 3, 2017    Lee 23, White 7

Nov. 2, 2018    Lee 42, White 6

Oct. 31, 2019    Lee 33, White 14

Nov. 5, 2021    Riverside 28, White 14

GATEWAY FOES FLETCHER, SANDALWOOD COLLIDE

Rivals from both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway face off at Dennis Bartley Field, both needing victories in an opening half of the season that's included ups and downs for both.

Despite a difficult game last time out (5 of 16, 73 yards), USF-committed QB Marcelis Tate has powered the Fletcher offense for most of the season in combination with receiver Anthony Vaglienti. Jordan Bean, with 250 yards in three games, leads the Saints on the ground and still has a chance to eventually attain a second consecutive 1,000-yard season.

The Fletcher-Sandalwood series is back in action after taking a break in 2016, which suspended 44 years of continuous competition. Last year, the Saints' Chris Calhoun ran for all three Sandalwood touchdowns, including the game-winner with 33 seconds to go to secure the 19-15 result.

INSIDE THE RIVALRY: LAST 10 MEETINGS

Sept. 4, 2008    Fletcher 41, Sandalwood 14

Sept. 11, 2009    Sandalwood 14, Fletcher 13

Sept. 10, 2010    Fletcher 20, Sandalwood 16

Sept. 23, 2011    Fletcher 42, Sandalwood 14

Sept. 21, 2012    Fletcher 23, Sandalwood 21

Sept. 13, 2013    Fletcher 31, Sandalwood 24

Sept. 12, 2014    Fletcher 45, Sandalwood 14

Aug. 29, 2015    Sandalwood 24, Fletcher 17

Aug. 29, 2019    Sandalwood 34, Fletcher 10

Aug. 27, 2021    Sandalwood 19, Fletcher 15

WEEK 5 SCHEDULE

Friday's games

FLORIDA

Young Kids in Motion (1-2) at Joshua Christian (0-0), 6 p.m.

Branford (3-1) at Paxon (1-3), 6:30 p.m.

Creekside (3-1) at Mandarin (3-1), 6:30 p.m.

Englewood (2-1) at Stanton (0-4), 6:30 p.m.

Fletcher (2-2) at Sandalwood (1-2), 6:30 p.m.

Middleburg (0-4) at Ribault (3-1), 6:30 p.m.

Parker (1-3) at Baldwin (3-1), 6:30 p.m.

Riverside (2-2, 1-0) at White (3-1, 0-0), District 3-2M, 6:30 p.m.

Westside (1-3) at First Coast (2-1), 6:30 p.m.

Baker County (2-1) at Viera (0-4)

Beachside (2-1) at Ridgeview (1-3)

Bishop Kenny (4-0) at West Nassau (1-3)

Bishop Snyder (3-1) at Harvest Community (2-1)

Cedar Creek Christian (2-1) at Trenton Riverside Christian (0-2-1)

Christ's Church (0-4) at Tallahassee St. John Paul II (3-0)

Crescent City (1-2) at Hilliard (2-2)

Gainesville Oak Hall (3-0) at Eagle's View (1-2)

Menendez (2-2) at Ponte Vedra (1-2)

Nease (0-4) at Orange Park (1-3)

North Florida Educational (2-2) at Episcopal (3-0)

Oakleaf (3-1) at Tallahassee Chiles (0-4)

Palatka (3-0) at Lake Weir (0-3)

Raines (2-1) at Ocala Trinity Catholic (2-1)

St. Augustine (2-2) at Bartram Trail (4-0)

Tocoi Creek (3-1) at Clay (2-2)

University Christian (4-0) at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (4-1)

Atlantic Coast (0-4) at Camden County (3-2), 7:30 p.m.

Benedictine (2-2) at Bolles (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

Columbia (2-2) at Trinity Christian (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Fort White (2-2) at Williston (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

Keystone Heights (1-2) at Interlachen (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Quincy Munroe (2-1) at Bradford (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

Suwannee (1-4) at North Marion (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Union County (2-1) at Newberry (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

Zarephath Academy (1-3) at Mayo Lafayette (3-1), 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA

Bainbridge (2-3) at Ware County (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

Glynn Academy (2-2) at Brunswick (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

BYE: Charlton County (3-2), Fernandina Beach (1-3), Fleming Island (3-1), Impact Christian (1-2), Jackson (4-1), Providence (2-2), St. Joseph (1-3), TDH Academy (0-4), Wolfson (2-2), Yulee (2-1)

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: Northeast Florida games, Columbia-Trinity, Creekside-Mandarin