Week four (September 14)

Umatilla (0-3) at Keystone Heights (1-2)
(KHHS 26, UHS 12)
Umatilla has been blown out in their first three games with scores of 51-0, 63-20 and 37-0 so Keystone Heights should rebound from their loss to Bradford for a sleeper.
Keystone Heights got 133 yards and a score from lead rusher Nick Channell against Bradford but could not pull off the region win over the Tornadoes, losing 28-14. Ty Friedlin added 87 yards of rushing with a score.

Bartram Trail (2-1) at Oakleaf (1-1)
(BTHS 26, OHS 23)
Bartram Trail has been the Achilles Heel for Oakleaf to get to the district playoffs and this game is, again, the focal point of another Knights’ finish. Tailback Keshawn King revved up for 214 yards on the ground against a tough Glades Central team, but the second half Knights got outscored in the 32-26 loss.
Bartram Trail lost a thriller to Apopka then knocked out Clay with a wicked pass game, but the Blue Devils ran for a ton of yards. Oakleaf’s secondary will be tested and must fend off a multi-dimensional air attack.
Key will be defensive line pressure from Chantz Williams, Tayari Otis and second level coverage from the linebackers; Dexter Moore and Jordan Randall will have to keep their eyes on the ball.

Orange Park (2-1) at Clay (1-2)
(OPHS 23, CHS 21)
Wow! Clay County Super Bowl. Orange Park has found success with an offense that can move from many directions. Quarterback Vinny Walker has methodically learned the Macpherson game and has great tools to work with; Terrance Johnson, Alex Collier and even a little guy named Diego Soto.
The Raiders have nothing to lose in this one as noone, except Clay Today Sports Editor Randy Lefko, expects the Raiders to win.
Clay, on the other hand, have put together yet another crisis season with losses to top-shelf 7A teams and an expectation of revival and resurgence in the second half of the season.
Freshman Al-Quarius Ray had a standout night against Bartram Trail and senior Abbott Taylor is rugged with the ball.
This game went to a final play two years ago with Clay winning and heading to the Final Four.

SJCDS (1-1) at St. Francis (1-2)
(SJCDS 36, St. Francis 7)
St. Johns coach Derek Chipoletti made a decision to forfeit a game for his player’s safety and, with a two week window, can take a lot of football and cram it into this small squad.
A two week gap may or may not be advantageous.
St. Francis won their opener 60-6 against Joshua Christian Academy, a first-year football school, but then fell 42-6 to St. Joseph Academy and 45-26 against Aucilla Christian.
Spartan quarterback Max Monroe may have a field day.

Palatka (2-1) at Ridgeview (3-0)
(RHS 45, PHS 26)
Palatka coach Willie Fells knows the turf in Clay County with his short history as a Clay High defensive coach and his Panthers bring the same ruggedness to Friday’s game.
Palatka is putting up near 300 yards of rushing per game in senior Jaylen Sessions the workhorse with 566 yards with five touchdowns already.
Palatka always has size and the Ridgeview Panthers defense must man up to stop the machine.

Fleming Island (2-1) at Buchholz (1-2)
(FIHS 16, BHS 13)
This district 3-7A showdown could have playoff ramifications for both teams as Bartram Trail seems to own the top of the pile. Bucholz got trounced by Columbia 39-0 last week and will looking to rebound. Buchholz lost game two to Ocala Vanguard, 25-14, a top 6A team.
Fleming Island got a snoozer against Middleburg with a handful of players in the stands for the game for discipline. The Golden Eagles actually saw some players emerge and play big with their shot so that may engender some practice competition and turn the Golden Eagles back into the contender.
Buchholz senior quarterback Camden Orth has 558 yards in the air with five touchdowns, but four interceptions. Sandalwood got some air time against Fleming Island in their game two win so the Golden Eagle secondary needs to be sharp. The Bobcats have four receivers with nine or more catches in three games so Orth spreads the magic.

Englewood (1-2) at MHS (0-3)
(MHS 16, EHS 3)
Two teams needing to win this critical district game. Middleburg won the right games a few years ago with an Englewood win fueling a playoff spot for coach Karl Smeltzer.
The athletes are in Middleburg.

Game of the Week
Orange Park almost knocked off Final Four Clay High two years ago. Macpherson likes playing in Green Cove Springs. Raiders have weapons to test Blue Devils. OPHS 23, CHS 21. OPHS RB Alex Collier flies for 3TDs.