JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney reveals his predictions for the first round of the high school football playoffs. All game times are Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
Last week: 11-2. Season: 323-78 (.805).
Recommended Videos
Week 1 playoff predictionsRegion 1-7A
(5) Spruce Creek (7-3) at (4) Flagler Palm Coast (9-1), 7 p.m.: Bulldogs should really be able to win this rematch like they did in the regular season. N4J pick: FPC 42, Spruce Creek 35.
(2) Seminole (8-1) at (7) Creekside (5-5), 7 p.m.: First home playoff game in program history for the Knights. In an upset. N4J pick: Creekside 28, Seminole 24.
Region 1-6A
(8) Tate (7-3) at (1) Nease (9-0), 7 p.m.: I think the Panthers will win but I don't think it's going to be an easy game. N4J pick: Nease 27, Tate 20.
(5) Oakleaf (7-3) at (4) Mandarin (7-3), 6:30 p.m.: Defense has turned into the calling card for the Mustangs. N4J pick: Mandarin 24, Oakleaf 13.
Region 1-5A
(8) Middleburg (7-3) at (1) Niceville (9-1), 8:30 p.m.: Great season for the Broncos but a difficult assignment. N4J pick: Niceville 33, Middleburg 13.
(5) Beachside (7-3) at (4) Ponte Vedra (8-2), 7 p.m.: Sharks won the first meeting in a tight game and they do it again here. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 24, Beachside 20.
(6) Fleming Island (7-3) at (3) Mosley (9-1), 8 p.m.: I'd considered taking Mosely but I'm going with the upset. Golden Eagles played a more difficult schedule and it pays off. N4J pick: Fleming Island 23, Mosley 20.
Region 1-4A
(8) Columbia (5-5) at (1) St. Augustine (8-1), 7 p.m.: Yellow Jackets won this handily in the regular season. N4J pick: St. Augustine 37, Columbia 20.
(4) Pine Forest (5-5) at (5) White (7-3), 6:30 p.m.: Heart says the Commanders but the head says the Eagles. They've played a brutal schedule and that's the separator here. N4J pick: Pine Forest 30, White 21.
(6) Riverside (5-5) at (3) Escambia (8-2), 8 p.m.: Tough assignment for the Generals in the Panhandle. N4J pick: Escambia 31, Riverside 21.
Region 1-3A
(8) Bay (5-5) at (1) Raines (9-0), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings are going to barrel through this region. N4J pick: Raines 42, Bay 20.
(5) Menendez (6-4) at (4) Wakulla (7-3), 7 p.m.: Great season for the Falcons but steep climb here. N4J pick: Wakulla 28, Menendez 20.
(7) Suwannee (4-6) at (2) Godby (6-3), 7 p.m.: Bulldogs really could have won this game in the regular season. N4J pick: Suwannee 28, Godby 27.
(6) Baker County (5-4) at (3) Bishop Kenny (7-3), 7 p.m.: Crusaders got hot at the right time. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 27, Baker County 20.
Region 1-2A
(8) Baldwin (5-5) at (1) Gadsden County (9-1), 7:30 p.m.: Indians have a brutal opener. N4J pick: Gadsden County 38, Baldwin 14.
(6) Taylor County (7-3) at (3) Bolles (8-1), 7:30 p.m.: I think this will be a little closer than expected. N4J pick: Bolles 38, Taylor County 20.
Region 2-2A
(7) Villages (5-4) at (2) Bradford (8-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tornadoes prep for massive showdown with Newberry. N4J pick: Bradford 42, Villages 7.
(6) Palatka (7-3) at (3) Newberry (8-2), 7:30 p.m.: Newberry is wicked tough on defense. N4J pick: Newberry 34, Palatka 6.
Region 1-1A
(1) Providence (7-3) at (8) Ocala Trinity Catholic (2-8), 7:30 p.m.: Stallions set up a rematch with UC next week. N4J pick: Providence 33, Trinity Catholic 27.
(5) Impact Christian (6-4) at (4) University Christian (5-5), 7:30 p.m.: Lions are dancing but playoff veteran UC is too tough in the postseason. N4J pick: UC 28, Impact Christian 13.
(2) Trinity Christian def. (7) P.K. Yonge by forfeit
Rural
(12) Fort White (5-4) at (5) Jay (9-1), 7:30 p.m.: Indians with a tough draw in the opener, but I always love a 5-12 seed upset. N4J pick: Fort White 30, Jay 17.
(14) Holmes County (6-4) at (3) Union County (8-1), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers are going to press for a final four berth. N4J pick: Union County 33, Holmes County 13.
Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs
All games at Villages Charter
Atlantic State championship
Fernandina Beach (6-6) vs. Frostproof (8-3), Friday, 7 p.m.: Excellent season for the Pirates but Frostproof could be a legit playoff team in the FHSAA. N4J pick: Frostproof 34, Fernandina Beach 13.
Class 5A state championship
St. Joseph (10-1) vs. Jupiter Christian (9-3), Saturday, 1 p.m.: A slight strength of schedule nod here so I'm going with Jupiter in a close one. N4J pick: Jupiter Christian 28, St. Joseph 20.
Class 1A state championship
Cedar Creek Christian (5-5) vs. Legacy Charter (4-6), Friday, 7 p.m.: Eagles rolled in the regular season against the Saints. N4J pick: Legacy Charter 42, Cedar Creek 20.