Northeast Florida high school football, Week 8: Trinity-UC, Bartram-Creekside, games to watch

The ever-important Week 8 has arrived for high school football in Northeast Florida.

For some, this is the week when Florida High School Athletic Association district championships move into view. For others, it's the week when playoff hopes are dashed. More than two dozen Jacksonville-area teams are in district competition this week as the postseason chase really takes shape.

Key storylines include Bradford's matchup against Tocoi Creek in District 6-2S, pitting the Tornadoes' near-spotless defense against Wendell Dean, Kaiz Ragland and the Toros' ground game; a visit to state power Gainesville Buchholz for Oakleaf, a test for the Knights' high-scoring offense with Drew Ammon, Devin Outlaw and Taylor Bradshaw; Baker County's trip northeastward to Yulee, likely to determine the District 5-2S runner-up spot behind Baldwin; and Fletcher-Englewood in District 1-3M, as the Senators try to stretch their winning streak to five games.

Peak performers: Week 7 football stars from Creekside, Fletcher, Middleburg and more

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First Coast Varsity Weekly: Wild finishes, super stats in St. Johns County football week

UC, TRINITY TANGLE FOR DISTRICT

The District 1-1M race comes down to Friday night, when University Christian travels to Trinity Christian in a battle of unbeaten private-school rivals.

UC's Orel Gray continued his explosive season with four more touchdowns last week against NFEI, and he's got the inside track on the Northeast Florida rushing crown with well over 1,000 yards. Trinity could be his toughest challenge of 2022. It's almost impossible to contain all of Trinity's offensive stars for a full game, and last week it was Treyaun Webb breaking out for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat stubborn Riverside.

Among Jacksonville schools, only Bolles has won more FHSAA championships than the Conquerors (10 times) and the Fighting Christians (nine times). Trinity has totally dominated the rivalry of late, winning 16 in a row since UC's last series victory on Oct. 2, 1992.

Inside the rivalry: Last 10 meetings

Sept. 23, 2005    Trinity Christian 41, University Christian 22

Sept. 22, 2006    Trinity Christian 43, University Christian 7

Sept. 14, 2007    Trinity Christian 48, University Christian 7

Sept. 19, 2008    Trinity Christian 40, University Christian 0

Sept. 30, 2011    Trinity Christian 45, University Christian 7

Sept. 28, 2012    Trinity Christian 36, University Christian 8

Sept. 27, 2013    Trinity Christian 39, University Christian 0

Sept. 12, 2014    Trinity Christian 42, University Christian 12

Sept. 11, 2015    Trinity Christian 35, University Christian 20

Sept. 9, 2016    Trinity Christian 31, University Christian 23

ST. JOHNS COUNTY NEIGHBORS CLASH

Is this the biggest edition of the Bartram Trail-Creekside rivalry ever? Not only are both St. Johns County schools firmly in the postseason hunt, but they're facing off head-to-head for the title of top challenger to unbeaten Gainesville Buchholz in District 3-4S.

Special teams are the not-so-secret ingredients for both. Bartram Trail, 6-0 and ranked among the top programs in Class 4S, displayed its strength again with last week's 17-0 shutout of Fleming Island and fields one of the state's best kickers in Liam Padron. Creekside's Ronald Daragjati was among the heroes of last week's wild 49-48 win over Oakleaf, with two field goals and the winning extra point, and the Knights' return game always feels like a touchdown waiting to happen.

Last year's Bears-Knights battle might have been the most thrilling, decided on Padron's game-winning field goal. Bartram Trail leads the series 13-1, with the only Knights win coming in a 2014 upset that secured an unexpected playoff berth at the Bears' expense.

Inside the rivalry: Last 10 meetings

Nov. 9, 2012    Bartram Trail 44, Creekside 24

Oct. 18, 2013    Bartram Trail 47, Creekside 12

Oct. 17, 2014    Creekside 37, Bartram Trail 24

Oct. 2, 2015    Bartram Trail 31, Creekside 0

Sept. 30, 2016    Bartram Trail 63, Creekside 7

Sept. 29, 2017    Bartram Trail 49, Creekside 0

Sept. 28, 2018    Bartram Trail 34, Creekside 20

Sept. 9, 2019    Bartram Trail 28, Creekside 14

Sept. 11, 2020    Bartram Trail 50, Creekside 40

Oct. 15, 2021    Bartram Trail 16, Creekside 13

CITY'S OLDEST RIVALRY RENEWED

Last week, it was Raines and Ribault in Jacksonville's longest-running continuous football rivalry. This time, it's the next chapter in the the city's oldest rivalry overall when Riverside heads to Jackson, continuing the tradition that dates back to the first Jackson-Lee game in 1927.

Jackson is not only loaded on both offense and defense, powered in particular by Super 11 linebacker Grayson Howard, but will be well-rested after a bye week. Still, despite Riverside's 2-5 record, no one should overlook the Generals. Riverside stayed even with state champion Trinity Christian into the fourth quarter last week, and in Devin Herring, they have an athletic and determined quarterback who can move the ball in multiple ways.

For generations a Thanksgiving tradition at the Gator Bowl or its predecessors, the series only resumed last season after a period of sustained Generals dominance.

Inside the rivalry: Last 10 meetings

Sept. 11, 2009    Jackson 30, Lee 6

Sept. 10, 2010    Jackson 23, Lee 19

Nov. 10, 2011    Lee 28, Jackson 6

Nov. 9, 2012    Lee 30, Jackson 14

Nov. 8, 2013    Lee 32, Jackson 18

Nov. 7, 2014    Lee 26, Jackson 0

Oct. 23, 2015    Lee 41, Jackson 14

Oct. 20, 2016    Lee 46, Jackson 6

Oct. 20, 2017    Lee 69, Jackson 0

Sept. 24, 2021    Riverside 42, Jackson 6

MIDDLEBURG, COLUMBIA IN DISTRICT DECIDER

Don't focus on the win-loss records. Middleburg's game at Columbia looks like the decider for District 3-3S, and the playoff berth that comes with it.

Columbia is far more used to success than the Broncos, and in Jaden Robinson and Amare Ferrell, they have two of North Florida's brightest defensive talents. But turnovers have plagued the Tigers, including three first-half interceptions against Orange Park. They can't afford to overlook a suddenly on-fire Middleburg or the ground-gaining tandem of T.J. Lane and Mike Mitchell. The Broncos have won three straight and stormed for 571 rushing yards against Clay.

Lots of firsts could potentially await Middleburg if they pull off the upset: a first winning season since 2003, a first district championship since 1990 and a first-ever win against Columbia.

YOUNG QBS LEAD MUSTANGS, GOLDEN EAGLES

Mandarin at Fleming Island doesn't affect district standings but shouldn't lack entertainment value. The main reason? It starts with two of the most exciting sophomore quarterbacks in the Sunshine State.

The Mustangs' Tramell Jones is off to a strong start (87 of 152, 1,241 yards, 13 TD, 3 INT). Fleming Island's Cibastian Broughton is quickly approaching 2,500 total yards for his young career. And there are more than enough additional stars on offense, like Brenden Cook and Florida State-committed tailback Samuel Singleton for Fleming Island, or receivers Jaime Ffrench and Kieren Jackson for Mandarin, to promise highlights.

While Mandarin can punch their playoff ticket if they beat Sandalwood in two weeks, it's a different story for the Golden Eagles, who have lost twice in District 3-4S and must hope for an FHSAA at-large berth with Creekside and Gainesville Buchholz still on the schedule. The schools have faced off multiple times in exhibition contests, but this is their first-ever regular-season meeting.

ATLANTIC BOULEVARD BATTLE UP NEXT

There's always plenty of intensity when Episcopal and Bishop Kenny get together, but this year, the contest of private schools near the St. Johns River — separated by only a couple of miles along Atlantic Boulevard — takes on additional significance with combined records of 11-2 coming in.

Bishop Kenny absorbed its first loss of 2022 last week against Ponte Vedra, but the breakaway touchdown threat of junior quarterback James Resar is in no doubt after his three-touchdown performance last Friday. Episcopal will need another big night from two-way athlete Corey Scott, ready to surpass the 2,000 mark for career all-purpose yards, to keep pace with the Crusaders.

Episcopal's wins in this series are few and far between, but they halted a nine-game BK streak in 2020 with a 42-38 thriller. Last year, Bishop Kenny forced three turnovers in a 35-14 victory. Another BK win would set up an intense showdown with Bolles in two weeks for the district trophy.

Inside the rivalry: Last 10 meetings

Nov. 13, 2009    Bishop Kenny 36, Episcopal 24

Nov. 12, 2010    Bishop Kenny 21, Episcopal 18

Sept. 16, 2011    Bishop Kenny 36, Episcopal 26

Sept. 14, 2012    Bishop Kenny 42, Episcopal 21

Nov. 8, 2013    Bishop Kenny 55, Episcopal 21

Nov. 7, 2014    Bishop Kenny 31, Episcopal 14

Nov. 3, 2017    Bishop Kenny 48, Episcopal 13

Nov. 2, 2018    Bishop Kenny 49, Episcopal 7

Sept. 11, 2020    Episcopal 42, Bishop Kenny 38

Nov. 5, 2021    Bishop Kenny 35, Episcopal 14

Thursday's games

Atlantic Coast (0-6) at Sandalwood (3-3), District 1-4M, 6:30 p.m.

Wolfson (3-3) at Bolles (4-3), District 2-2M, 7:30 p.m.

Friday's games

FLORIDA

Baker County (4-2) at Yulee (3-2), District 5-2S

Bartram Trail (6-0) at Creekside (5-1), District 3-4S

Christ's Church (1-5) at Providence (2-4), District 1-1M

Eagle's View (1-4) at Bishop Snyder (4-2)

Episcopal (5-1) at Bishop Kenny (6-1), District 2-2M

Fletcher (5-2) at Englewood (3-3), District 1-3M, 6:30 p.m.

Fort White (3-3) at Dixie County (2-4), 7:30 p.m.

Gainesville Oak Hall (6-0) at Cedar Creek Christian (4-1)

Harvest Community (2-3) at Aucilla Christian (4-2)

Hawthorne (5-0) at Union County (4-1), 7:30 p.m.

Hilliard (4-2) at Hamilton County (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

Madison County (2-4) at Suwannee (4-3), 7:30 p.m.

Mandarin (4-2) at Fleming Island (3-2)

Menendez (3-4) at Clay (2-4), District 4-3S

Middleburg (3-4) at Columbia (3-3), District 3-3S

Nease (1-6) at Flagler Palm Coast (4-3), District 4-4S

Oakleaf (3-3) at Gainesville Buchholz (5-0), District 3-4S, 7:30 p.m.

Orange Park (1-5) at Ridgeview (1-6), District 3-3S

Palatka (6-0) at Keystone Heights (1-5), District 6-2S, 7:30 p.m.

Parker (1-6) at First Coast (4-1), District 1-3M, 6:30 p.m.

P.K. Yonge (1-5) at St. Joseph (2-4), District 3-1S

Paxon (1-5) at Beachside (4-1)

Ponte Vedra (3-3) at Ocala Trinity Catholic (4-2)

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

TDH Academy (1-5) at Orlando Faith Christian (3-3)

Tocoi Creek (5-2) at Bradford (6-0), District 6-2S, 7:30 p.m.

University Christian (7-0) at Trinity Christian (6-0), District 1-1M, 7:30 p.m.

West Nassau (2-5) at Fernandina Beach (2-3), District 5-2S

Westside (1-5) at Baldwin (5-1), 6:30 p.m.

Young Kids in Motion (2-3) at Impact Christian (1-4), 6 p.m.

Zarephath Academy (2-4) at Chiefland (5-0), 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA 

Camden County (5-2) at Colquitt County (6-0), 7:30 p.m.

Charlton County (4-2) at Atkinson County (2-4), 7:30 p.m.

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

Ware County (5-0) at Bradwell Institute (0-6), 7:30 p.m.

BYE: Brunswick (7-0), North Florida Educational (2-4), Raines (5-1), Ribault (3-4), St. Augustine (4-3), Stanton (0-6), White (4-2)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school football: Jacksonville Week 8 games, previews, schedule