Week two (August 31)
6A-Middleburg (0-1) at 5A-Clay (0-1)
(CHS 26, MHS 25)

Middleburg blasted to a 50-point game in their preseason game, then skunked in their opener 42-7 to a fast-moving Menendez squad. Clay missed a possible upset at Fleming Island by the pigskin of a close call on a fourth quarter onside kick that stalled the second half momentum of what could have been another Blue Devil comeback classic.
Clay a bit bruised and this score could go bad quickly if the sting of Fleming Island remains.
Middleburg has to rebound so questions of preparation are snubbed and the season is not doused.

7A-Fleming Island (1-0) at 8A-Sandalwood (1-0)
(FIHS 32, SHS 16)

Fleming Island got a great first half display of their offensive firepower, but the second half fizzed out.
Sandalwood topped a pretty good Ribault team 21-8. The Saints are huge with a ton of 6-footers plus just in the backfield and two 6’-5” wide receivers.

5A-Ridgeview (1-0) at 7A-Creekside (1-0)
(RHS 52, Creekside 6)

Ridgeview passed their first test of the season with rugged Nature Coast 30-27 and showed some grittiness in doing so.
Creekside, hammered in their preseason game 50-12 by Menendez, rebounded with a 21-9 win over Winter Springs High (0-10 in 2017), who came in with a strong run game, scored first, but could not hold the edge. Creekside got three touchdown passes from quarter Tai Lavatai.
This could be a passing bonanza.

2A-Trinity Christian (1-0) at IND-SJCDS (1-0)
(SJCDS 26, Trinity 12)

St. Johns Country Day School opened with a 49-0 win over Merritt Island Christian. Trinity Christian (2-8 in 2018) opened with a 34-6 win over Bishop Snyder and is new to the Spartan schedule. Trinity ran for 282 yards against Snyder with two ball carriers over 100 yards; senior quarterback Jacob Mullee (No. 5) with 165 yards. Spartans shared the ball with seven ballcarriers for 268 yards rushing; quarterback Max Monroe with two interceptions on defense, two passing touchdowns on offense.
Spartans’ defense to be tested in the trenches.


6A-Nease at 5A-OPHS
(OPHS 38, Nease 17)

Raiders got rocked by Oakleaf in unexpected fashion, but showed glimpses of team speed. Nease got beat 35-14 by Ponte Vedra in a classic rivalry in St. Johns County. Nease was up 14-13 at the half, but Ponte Vedra used sophomore running back Campbell Parker’s 115 yards (55 yard run with six yard score following) to take the win. Nease got scores off a 43 yard pass play and a recovered end zone fumble by Parker. Raiders scored two late touchdowns against Oakleaf.

7A-Oakleaf (1-0) at 4A-Glades Central (0-1)
(OHS, 32, Glades 30)

Glades Central has a storied history, but got hammered by 4A-University High (10-2 in 2017, lost in state semifinal to Cocoa High) 35-6 in their opener; 28 points in the first half. Oakleaf shredded 5A-Orange Park 45-14 with a tremendous first half highlight reel.
Knights’ have a long way to travel for first big test. Glades (7-4 in 2017 lost to University in region quarterfinals) graduated a ton of talent, but south Florida football just reloads each year.

4A-Keystone Heights (1-0) at 4A-P.K. Yonge (1-0)
(KHHS 27, PK Yonge 3)

Keystone Heights rushed for incredible 359 yards against Fernandina Beach in 25-14 opening win. Nich Channell with 185, two scores, Ty Friedlin with 132 yards and two scores as Indians ground game comes roaring back.
P.K.Yonge, with a new coach, also pounded the rock on the ground with scoring runs of 20, 25, and 13 yards.
Could be a slugfest.