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It took Bartram Path virtually 20 years to wrestle St. Johns County soccer supremacy away from St. Augustine. Three consecutive wins later, the Bears don’t have any intention of ceding energy any time quickly — although they should decelerate a scorching scorching Yellow Jacket offense to maintain its streak intact.
Bartram Path (3-1) and St. Augustine (2-1) — the Nos. 1 and three ranked groups, respectively, within the Volusia-Flagler-St. Johns energy rankings — renew acquaintances at 7 p.m. Friday at H.L. “Foots” Brumley Stadium.
The host Yellow Jackets received every of the primary 19 head-to-head conferences, together with a pair of playoff contests (2009-10); Bartram Path made the rivalry official in 2018 with a landmark 44-14 blowout.
“It doesn’t matter what you say, you felt some stress as a result of we had by no means misplaced to them,” St. Augustine coach Brian Braddock mentioned. “That is clearly gone away. It is nonetheless a little bit of a spectacle, however now it is only a actually good recreation, which might be what it ought to have been anyway. Generally we construct that up extra in our head as coaches, defending a streak.”
POWER RANKINGS:Bartram Trail maintains No. 1 spot, St. Augustine checks in at No. 3
Week 4 scores:High school football roundup: Nease throttles Atlantic Coast, Spruce Creek cruises, Atlantic rallies
It is a collection steeped in drama, and there’s no cause to count on something much less this time round.
“The video games have all been shut,” mentioned Bartram Path head coach Darrell Sutherland, who has stood on the sidelines for every of the rivalry’s 22 chapters to this point. “Thrilling finishes, extremely contested, hard-fought video games. One of many different issues that stands out to me is the mutual respect the 2 applications have for one another, whatever the end result.”
3 issues to control
1. Bears’ QB scenario
Bartram Path confronted a quarterback conundrum within the aftermath of Santino Marucci’s commencement and departure for Wake Forest. A month into the season, and the Bears are nonetheless looking for an answer.
Sophomore Riley Trujillo started the 12 months because the starter, tossing a landing in every of Bartram’s first two wins — in opposition to Rickards and Columbus, no much less. Trujillo exited with an undisclosed damage early within the Bears’ Week 3 loss to Lincoln and is recovering properly, Sutherland mentioned.
Bears’ stars:3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: ‘Explosive’ Duke running back, elite cornerback lead Bartram Trail football
Cade Duncan noticed all of the reps in final week’s 23-8 win in opposition to Mandarin, finishing 10 of 23 passes for 104 yards, one landing and one interception. He is the presumptive starter Friday, assuming Trujillo can’t go.
2. Feed (Devonte) Lyons
Massive issues have been anticipated of sophomore working again Devonte Lyons contemplating his expanded position within the latter phases of final 12 months’s Class 6A playoffs. He is firmly entrenched because the staff’s prime possibility within the backfield after back-to-back monster performances.
Lyons almost surpassed 200 scrimmage yards in opposition to a ferocious Bolles defensive entrance, then he lit up Middleburg to the tune of 262 speeding yards and 5 touchdowns on 19 carries.
Jackets’ stars:3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: St. Augustine football will lean on big offensive line, dynamic runners in 2021
“When you may have a freshman come up and do what he did on the finish of the 12 months, you already know the child’s obtained an opportunity to be a particular participant,” Braddock mentioned. “He is simply innately gifted at carrying the soccer. He is obtained super imaginative and prescient and super lateral quickness.”
The Yellow Jackets have extra of their arsenal, although. Twin-threat QB Trevon Dirden averages 17.3 yards per carry, and beginning security Tyshawn Campbell has a nostril for the purpose line with 5 touchdowns on simply 16 makes an attempt.
That is a testomony to St. Augustine’s true energy — a veteran offensive line, led by mainstay tackles Zavion Ferguson and Jason Jackson, in addition to middle Trenton McCary.
3. The kicking recreation
3 times within the house of 4 years (2014, ’15 and ’17), a discipline purpose determined the end result on this collection — all in favor of the Yellow Jackets. Bartram Path got here up brief on a profitable kick, pushed one other vast proper and watched helplessly because the Jackets cut up the uprights with two seconds left in regulation of their most up-to-date win.
Liam Padron has the belief of Bears head coach Darrell Sutherland, who mentioned, “We’ll line as much as kick a protracted discipline purpose with out hesitation.” The sophomore is 6 of seven on discipline purpose tries this fall, banging via a 48-yarder in opposition to Mandarin, whereas additionally changing on all 10 further factors.
Bartram Path’s additionally obtained a handful of game-breaking returners, most notably Duke commit Eric Weatherly. He is but to actually break one in 2021, however final season the 5-foot-8, 160-pound working again averaged 32.9 yards per kickoff, 20.8 per punt and scored thrice on particular groups — one in every of which being a 74-yard punt return in opposition to St. Augustine.
To not point out, Weatherly introduced a kickoff 83 yards the opposite path for a TD within the 2019 recreation.
“He is unimaginable to comprise,” Sutherland mentioned. “He is an electrifying participant. Definitely I perceive why groups wouldn’t need to kick in direction of him.”
Employees picks
Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ): St. Augustine 27, Bartram Path 21. File: 48-11.
Zach Dean (@ZachDeanDBNJ): St. Augustine 23, Bartram Path 20. File: 43-16.
Myer Lee (@thesquarescriv): Bartram Path 41, St. Augustine 38. File: 36-23.
Stephen Perez (@SPerezReports): Bartram Path 35, St. Augustine 21. File: 38-21.
In different motion
Spruce Creek (4-0) at Flagler Palm Coast (2-1), 7 p.m.
Opening District 4-7A play with a simple 48-0 win at Lake Howell, Spruce Creek’s offense obtained again into gear. Kevin Minckler and Sam Rizzo every scored twice, and Damarcus Creecy threw for 220 yards.
FPC performed an impressed first half in opposition to Seminole however couldn’t maintain tempo with Luke Rucker in a 27-3 defeat. Senior RB Dakoda Wagner exited late with what head coach Robert Paxia described as a calf damage, leaving his standing unknown.
Picks — Chris: Spruce Creek 16-10, Zach, FPC 17-14, Myer: Spruce Creek 27-24, Stephen: Spruce Creek 17-10.
Seminole (4-0) at Mainland (1-2), 7
Mainland emphatically obtained its season again on monitor, crushing Lake Minneola 35-6 because of a pair of spectacular particular groups touchdowns and Isaiah Gordon’s three scores on the bottom.
The Bucs conclude a three-game homestand — they’re technically the “street staff” subsequent week in opposition to Daytona Stadium co-tenants Seabreeze — with a go to from Seminole. The ‘Noles have allowed simply 9 factors in 16 quarters and enter on a 16-game profitable streak, courting again to November 2019.
Picks — Chris: Seminole 24-13, Zach, Seminole 24-16, Myer: Seminole 38-18, Stephen: Seminole 27-10.
Lake Brantley (3-1) at College (3-0), 7
Sure, it says the Titans are at residence, however the recreation will really be performed at Lake Brantley as a result of unplayable discipline circumstances at Sperling Sports activities Complicated. The Titans hammered Lyman 41-0 per week in the past as Tazz Figueroa and Rubens Joseph ran wild.
Lake Brantley all the time presents a problem with its option-based assault, one presently averaging 305.3 speeding yards per recreation. The Patriots even have a pair of top-25 nationally rated junior linebackers, twin brothers Andrew and Michael Harris.
Picks — Chris: College 41-35, Zach, College 34-29, Myer: College 20-14, Stephen: College 21-14.
Seabreeze (2-2) at DeLand (0-1), 7
Seabreeze fought via sloppy circumstances, survived regulation and prevailed at Deltona courtesy of Blake Boda’s speeding TD in extra time. Steven Taylor starred for the Sandcrabs, making 15 tackles, two TFLs and blocking a last-second discipline purpose try.
DeLand, then again, could not complete its game with Oviedo as heavy rain softened the Spec Martin Stadium taking part in floor and compelled postponements on Friday and Monday.
Picks — Chris: Seabreeze 17-12, Zach, Seabreeze 20-14, Myer: DeLand 16-13, Stephen: Seabreeze 28-17.
Ponte Vedra (2-2) at Menendez (2-2), 7
Ponte Vedra rumbled for 280 yards on the bottom in its 27-7 win over District 3-7A rival First Coast, anchored by senior Mikey Stephens’ 132 yards and two TDs. The Sharks received the turnover margin as Corey Bloss and Sam Soares secured interceptions, whereas Nathan Bunkosky has settled in at quarterback in the meanwhile.
As for Menendez, QB Noah Lawless returned to apply this week and is predicted to begin, per head coach Matt Potak. Tabias Brown rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and each Tomas Jones and Ryon Pickles returned interceptions to the home in final week’s 41-9 win in opposition to Eastside.
Picks — Chris: Menendez 27-19, Zach, Menendez 21-19, Myer: Ponte Vedra 42-41, Stephen: Menendez 17-7.
Nease (3-1) at Yulee (2-2), 7
Sitting atop District 3-7A after a powerful 35-14 win over Atlantic Coast, Nease’s offense hardly skipped a beat regardless of the absence of UCF commit Grant Stevens, sidelined indefinitely as a result of a lingering ankle damage. Marcus Stokes leads the tri-county space with 802 passing yards and 9 touchdowns, 4 within the path of Dom Henry.
Jergotti Wilcox (70 carries, 466 yards) and Fernandina Seashore switch Chris Turner (744 passing yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs) tempo a balanced Yulee offense. Senior MLB Tayjon Thomas persistently tallies double-digit tackles for the Hornets’ robust protection.
Picks — Chris: Nease 34-9, Zach, Nease 26-17, Myer: Nease 35-24, Stephen: Nease 21-10.
Taylor (2-1) at Pine Ridge (1-2), 7
Taylor held on for a 23-20 victory at Bell regardless of gaining simply 201 yards of complete offense and selecting up 9 first downs. Jack Hoblick performed a key position within the end result with a 43-yard pick-six within the opening quarter, staking the Wildcats out to a 9-0 lead.
Pine Ridge, in the meantime, will rue a missed alternative to place away Atlantic in a 26-24 loss — a recreation it led late within the third earlier than John Killingsworth introduced a blocked discipline purpose again for a go-ahead TD.
Josiah Robinson, Isaiah Robinson and Jaden Brown scored for the Panthers, who dealt with Taylor in a spring game exhibition 4 months in the past.
Picks — Chris: Pine Ridge 41-14, Zach, Pine Ridge 42-21, Myer: Taylor 24-7, Stephen: Pine Ridge 14-10.
Eustis (3-1) at New Smyrna Seashore (3-1), 7
The Barracudas rebounded from a 40-0 drubbing by the hands of Jones with back-to-back victories, posting a mixed rating of 50-7 in opposition to Father Lopez and South Lake. Jvontae Hayward, Malakai Hudson and Cole Billings have largely shared the load within the run recreation, combining for 467 yards and 6 touchdowns.
In every of its three wins, Eustis has surpassed the 30-point mark, most not too long ago a 41-8 romp previous first-year program Horizon. Blayne Romano is finishing 66.3% of his passes, totaling 981 yards, 9 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Picks — Chris: NSB 26-13, Zach, NSB 19-14, Myer: NSB 20-6, Stephen: NSB 24-14.
Winter Springs (0-2) at Deltona (2-2), 7
Deltona might want to reply rapidly from a heartbreaking extra time loss to Seabreeze, realizing {that a} regional wild card is probably going the one means into the playoffs from right here. Junior RB Jude Santana topped the century mark for the third straight recreation.
District champs in 2019, Winter Springs has since misplaced 11 consecutive contests. The Bears common 92.0 yards on offense per recreation, and Hunter Gotwalt and Luis Valdes have mixed for 37 complete tackles.
Picks — Chris: Deltona 30-7, Zach, Deltona 33-20, Myer: Deltona 10-7, Stephen: Deltona 20-10.
Orange Park (1-3) at Matanzas (1-3), 7
Matanzas hung in with Gainesville for a half, then surrendered 30 unanswered factors out of the break in a 57-16 defeat. Dakwon Evans went 9 of 16 for 159 yards with a landing go to Cole Hash together with an interception.
Orange Park has equally struggled on protection as of late, permitting 90 factors in its final two outings — losses to Nease and Riverside. JoJo Restall, with 545 speeding yards and three TDs, is the Raiders’ major offensive weapon.
Picks — Chris: Orange Park 33-28, Zach, Orange Park 42-35, Myer: Matanzas 28-27, Stephen: Matanzas 28-24.
Father Lopez (2-1) at Windfall (2-2), 7
Like DeLand, Father Lopez skilled a rainout final Friday, with no plans as of but to reschedule its recreation in opposition to Trinity Prep. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise because the Inexperienced Wave have been anticipated to be with out 9 gamers for numerous causes, together with RB/LB Antwan Scott, DB/WR Avery Atkins Jr. and RB Jackson Oldham.
Windfall RB Tavio Tauler almost doubled his season speeding output by gaining 233 yards in final week’s win over Stanton. QB Brooks Hicken is 32 of 51 for 329 yards with two TDs and three picks.
Picks — Chris: Father Lopez 18-14, Zach, Father Lopez 27-23, Myer: Father Lopez 21-17, Stephen: Father Lopez 10-3.
Halifax (0-3) at Cocoa Seashore (0-3), 7
One thing’s obtained to provide right here; Cocoa Seashore cannot rating, and Halifax cannot get a cease. The visiting Knights have allowed 184 factors of their three video games, whereas concurrently going scoreless for 9 consecutive quarters.
Cocoa Seashore is but to place a single level on the board, shedding to Melbourne Central Catholic, Lake Placid and North Florida Academic Institute by a mixed rating of 116-0.
Picks — Chris: Cocoa Seashore 39-12, Zach, Halifax 56-21, Myer: Halifax 13-6, Stephen: Halifax 14-7.
Keswick Christian (1-2) at Trinity Christian (1-2), 7
Trinity fended off a fourth-quarter rally from St. Joseph — making a two-point conversion cease, blocking a discipline purpose and holding the Flashes on a last-gasp fourth right down to protect a 7-6 win.
The Eagles competed with simply 15 gamers, Eagles coach Troy Rayburn mentioned, as a result of COVID-19 quarantine and get in touch with tracing protocols. Keswick makes a reasonably lengthy journey from St. Petersburg, hopeful to snap a two-game shedding skid. Bryce Artze has the highest offensive numbers for the Crusaders, speeding for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Picks — Chris: Keswick 42-6, Zach, Keswick 35-14, Myer: Trinity 20-16, Stephen: Trinity 17-7.
Legacy Constitution (2-1) at St. Joseph (0-3), 7
Taking a peek on the schedule, it is honest to wonder if St. Joseph squandered its finest likelihood for a win this fall. The Flashes appeared to take the lead with their preliminary two-point strive, just for it to be chalked off by a penalty.
Legacy Constitution, out of Ocoee, crushed its final two opponents — Cornerstone Constitution and Oasis — with 93 mixed factors. Jayden Colon has thrown two touchdowns and rushed for 4 extra.
Picks — Chris: Legacy 49-0, Zach, Legacy 42-7, Myer: Legacy 31-10, Stephen: St. Joseph 10-7.
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