JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back. That means our football predictions are back, too.
News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his picks for the week each Thursday. All game times are Friday at 7 p.m. unless indicated.
Last week: 7-2. This week: 13-2. Season: 217-53 (.804).
Week 9 predictions
Thursday, Oct. 17
Matanzas (3-4) at Belleview (0-5): Pirates back to .500. N4J pick: Matanzas 21, Belleview 14.
St. Joseph (7-0) at Gainesville Oak Hall (4-3): Flashes are headed towards an unbeaten regular season. N4J pick: St. Joseph 30, Oak Hall 28.
Friday, Oct. 18
Atlantic Coast (3-4) at (2) Nease (5-0): Panthers haven’t played since last month but there’s no rust here. N4J pick: (2) Nease 42, Atlantic Coast 13.
Baker County (4-2) at Satellite (1-6): Wildcats with a long road trip for an easy win. N4J pick: Baker County 34, Satellite 13.
Bishop Kenny (4-3) at First Coast (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: Crusaders have been hot and cold this season. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 21, First Coast 20.
Bishop Snyder (5-2) at Paxon (5-1), 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles have been on a tear. N4J pick: Paxon 21, Snyder 20.
(4) Bolles (6-1) at (10) Riverside (5-3), 6:30 p.m.: Bulldogs get the better of the Tae’Shaun Gelsey-powered Generals. N4J pick: (4) Bolles 44, (10) Riverside 30.
Bradford (6-1) at Tallahassee Leon (0-7): Tornadoes get back on the winning track after first regular season loss since 2022. N4J pick: Bradford 49, Leon 0.
Carrollwood Day (3-3) at University Christian (2-4), 7:30 p.m.: Christians have struggled this season but they find a win here. N4J pick: UC 28, Carrollwood Day 20.
Cedar Creek Christian (3-3) at Trinity Prep (0-7): Saints climb over .500. N4J pick: Cedar Creek 34, Trinity Prep 14.
Chiefland (6-1) at Keystone Heights (2-5), 7:30 p.m.: Pirates lost to a previously winless team last week. N4J pick: Chiefland 42, Keystone Heights 7.
Christ’s Church (6-1) at Eagle’s View (4-4): Eagles lost their perfect record last week but they get back on track here. N4J pick: Christ’s Church 32, Eagle’s View 13.
Clay (2-5) at Fernandina Beach (4-4): Blue Devils lost by 50 on Monday night but they’re back in business here. N4J pick: Clay 21, Fernandina Beach 20.
Duval Charter (1-7) at Windermere Prep (2-4), 6 p.m.: Tough game Monday night for the Panthers and a challenge again here. N4J pick: Windermere Prep 35, Duval Charter 13.
Englewood (2-5) at Jackson (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: Tigers use defense to get back to .500. N4J pick: Jackson 21, Englewood 7.
Flagler Palm Coast (5-1) at Yulee (2-5): Bulldogs are on the cusp of the Super 10. N4J pick: FPC 28, Yulee 21.
Fleming Island (4-3) at Parker (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: Golden Eagles cool off surging Braves. N4J pick: Fleming Island 31, Parker 20.
Fort White (4-2) at Newberry (5-2), 7:30 p.m.: Panthers are one of the better teams in the state. N4J pick: Newberry 35, Fort White 13.
Halifax Academy (4-3) at West Nassau (7-1): Warriors run their winning streak to eight. N4J pick: West Nassau 34, Halifax 13.
Harvest Community (2-5) at Old Plank Christian (4-4): Defenders get to five wins. N4J pick: Old Plank 28, Harvest 21.
Hilliard (0-7) at Interlachen (2-6), 7:30 p.m.: Rams keep Red Flashes winless. N4J pick: Interlachen 42, Hilliard 36.
Hollis Christian (1-6) at Foundation Academy (3-4): Lions roll over the Eagles. N4J pick: Foundation 42, Hollis Christian 6.
Impact Christian (2-4) at Ridgeview (1-6): Lions edge the Panthers. N4J pick: Impact 21, Ridgeview 13.
KIPP Bold City (1-6) at Providence (6-1): Stallions are less than a TD away from being unbeaten. N4J pick: Providence 42, KIPP Bold City 0.
(7) Mandarin (5-2) at Fletcher (4-3), 6:30 p.m.: Mustangs back in a groove. N4J pick: (7) Mandarin 38, Fletcher 21.
Middleburg (6-1) at Beachside (5-2): Barracudas bounce back from loss to Fleming Island. N4J pick: Beachside 38, Middleburg 14.
Palatka (4-3) at Crescent City (6-1): Raiders won the district title earlier this week but Panthers are too much here. N4J pick: Palatka 34, Crescent City 14.
(8) Ponte Vedra (5-2) at Orange Park (2-5): Sharks cruise in this one. N4J pick: (8) Ponte Vedra 38, Orange Park 13.
(1) Raines (5-0) at (9) Creekside (4-3): Game of the night potential with the Vikings in a close one. N4J pick: (1) Raines 38, (9) Creekside 31.
Ribault (1-6) at Baldwin (3-4), 6:30 p.m.: Indians make it back to .500. N4J pick: Baldwin 28, Ribault 14.
(3) St. Augustine (5-1) at Bartram Trail (3-3): Yellow Jackets are back on track after OT loss to Nease. N4J pick: (3) St. Augustine 35, Bartram 24.
Santa Fe (1-6) at Zarephath Academy (8-1): Jordan Durham nearly passed for 600 yards on Monday night. Santa Fe is coming off its first win of the year. N4J pick: Zarephath 49, Santa Fe 21.
Sandalwood (0-7) at Gainesville Eastside (4-2), 7:30 p.m.: Saints don’t have much room left to avoid back-to-back winless seasons. N4J pick: Eastside 38, Sandalwood 6.
Stanton (2-5) at Westside (1-6), 6:30 p.m.: Wolverines get their second win of the season. N4J pick: Westside 28, Stanton 13.
Taylor County (6-1) at Suwannee (1-5), 7:30 p.m.: Battle of the Bulldogs goes to the team from Perry. N4J pick: Taylor County 30, Suwannee 14.
Tocoi Creek (4-3) at Menendez (3-4): Toros get back in winning ways after losses to Beachside, Buchholz. N4J pick: Tocoi Creek 31, Menendez 10.
Trinity Catholic (1-6) at Union County (6-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tigers closing in on a perfect regular season. N4J pick: Union County 38, Trinity Catholic 13.
White (5-2) at (5) Oakleaf (5-2): Both of these teams could very well be undefeated. N4J pick: (5) Oakleaf 34, White 23.
OFF: Episcopal, NFEI, Trinity Christian, Wolfson.
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