Football Friday | Florida, Georgia High School Football | News4JAX.com

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TOP STORIES

FHSAA opens up survey to gather input on name, image, likeness for high school athletes

The Florida High School Athletic Association has begun taking input on name, image and likeness in the state as it explores allowing athletes to have earning power long before they get to college.

Familiar feel to it: A first look at the FHSAA’s new football district assignments

The Florida High School Athletic Association released its new classification and district assignments for football on Friday morning, unveiling some new twists for area teams.

Early football signing period ‘23: Dozens of big name area players lock in college decisions

Wednesday marks the first of three days this month where high school football players can sign national letters of intent with colleges. The area is poised to have a significant number of players sign this week instead of waiting until national signing day on Feb. 7, 2024

New Tiger on Main Street: Bobby Ramsay named head coach at Jackson

Bobby Ramsay is making the move back into the Duval County coaching ranks.

They’ve got next: A look at some of the area’s top recruits in the Class of 2025

It’s still a year away, but the Class of 2025 is officially on the recruiting clock. And that class is positioned to be one of the most loaded we’ve seen in years.

FHSAA board votes to get rid of Suburban-Metro system, puts hold on Open division

In a winding and confusing two-hour virtual meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors voted to get rid of the Suburban-Metro playoff system and go back to an eight-classification, enrollment-based format for the coming years, the latest shift in the ever-changing landscape of sports here.

Pierce County wins Class 2A state championship in a 3-OT thriller

Caden McGatha scored the last of his four rushing touchdowns in the third overtime as the Pierce County Bears outlasted Rockmart in a 48-45 thriller on Tuesday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Pierce County looks for its 2nd state football title on Tuesday

The high school football season for area teams is down to its final game. Pierce County faces Rockmart on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Class 2A state championship game. The Bears (13-1) have one state title to their credit under coach Ryan Herring.

Bradford’s perfect season ends against tough Cocoa defense in 2S title game

Bradford’s defense was as advertised. Cocoa’s was even better.

Mandarin can’t slow down Columbus in Class 4M title game

On the anniversary of the most memorable night in Mandarin football history, Miami Columbus settled the score.

Sandalwood football coach Adam Geis steps down after more than two decades with Saints

Longtime Sandalwood football coach Adam Geis has stepped down after 21 seasons in two stints at the school.

ABOUT FOOTBALL FRIDAY

High school football is one of the most exciting times of the year and we're committed to giving you the most comprehensive coverage around. The area is home to more than 60 schools in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia and the News4JAX sports team has you covered.

From the big plays on Friday night to our weekly Super 10 rankings and interviews with your favorite players and coaches, Justin Barney, Jamal St. Cyr and Alessandra Pontbriand bring the news and information you need.

Check out Football Friday at 10:30 p.m. for a half hour of highlights and analysis from one of the most exciting areas of high school football in the country.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS STORIES

Familiar feel to it: A first look at the FHSAA’s new football district assignments

The Florida High School Athletic Association released its new classification and district assignments for football on Friday morning, unveiling some new twists for area teams.

FHSAA board votes to get rid of Suburban-Metro system, puts hold on Open division

In a winding and confusing two-hour virtual meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors voted to get rid of the Suburban-Metro playoff system and go back to an eight-classification, enrollment-based format for the coming years, the latest shift in the ever-changing landscape of sports here.

Pierce County wins Class 2A state championship in a 3-OT thriller

Caden McGatha scored the last of his four rushing touchdowns in the third overtime as the Pierce County Bears outlasted Rockmart in a 48-45 thriller on Tuesday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Pierce County looks for its 2nd state football title on Tuesday

The high school football season for area teams is down to its final game. Pierce County faces Rockmart on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Class 2A state championship game. The Bears (13-1) have one state title to their credit under coach Ryan Herring.

FHSAA board to discuss overhauling playoff system again, add open division

The Florida High School Athletic Association is poised to debate and vote on another new playoff system, one that would end the two-year cycle of Suburban-Metro and create an Open classification for the top teams in the state.

High school football ‘23 championship picks: Two area teams will bring home titles

High school football season is back. That means our football predictions are back, too. With state championship games beginning Thursday, here’s our final predictions of the season.

Class 4M state championship glance: Mandarin gets Columbus in title game rematch of 2018

Mandarin has been one of the area’s constant Super 10 teams all season. Can the Mustangs win just the second state championship in program history when they face Miami Columbus on Friday at 3 p.m. in Tallahassee?

Class 3S championship glance: St. Augustine eyes state title, perfect season

St. Augustine has been the top-ranked team in the News4JAX Super 6 most of the season. On Thursday, the Yellow Jackets head to Tallahassee to play in the Class 3S state championship game against Daytona Beach Mainland. Here’s a glance at that game.

GHSA state semifinals: Pierce County rolls on, Camden County falls in final four

Pierce County is the lone peach state survivor in the Georgia High School Association playoffs.

High school football ‘23: Bradford, Mandarin, St. Augustine reach title games

Bradford, Mandarin and St. Augustine are headed to the state championship games next week in Tallahassee after winning state semifinal clashes on Friday night.

Still perfect! St. Augustine rolls over Dunbar to reach 3S title game

When running back Devonte Lyons was a freshman, he could not envision celebrating a trip to the state finals. Four years later, St. Augustine’s running back and senior captain was able to see it play out.

High school football ‘23 semifinal picks: Four area teams will play for championships

News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his high school football picks for the week each Thursday.

‘These semifinals don’t come around every year’: Camden County ready for showdown at Walton

Camden County will play Walton in the GHSA Class 7A semifinals Friday night for a chance to advance to the state championship.

State semifinal glance: Bradford, Pierce County, St. Augustine host as 6 area teams in final four

It's the state semifinal round of the playoffs and six area teams are still standing tall. Bradford, Bolles, Camden County, Mandarin, Pierce County, St. Augustine and Trinity Christian head to the final four round this week.

GHSA playoffs: Camden County, Pierce County cruise into state semifinals

Camden County and Pierce County are still standing tall in the Georgia High School Association state playoffs.

High school football playoffs ‘23: Bradford, Bolles, Mandarin, St. Augustine, Trinity headed to state semis

The state semifinals are the next stop for Bradford, Bolles, Mandarin, St. Augustine and Trinity Christian.

Bradford uses defense to smother Baker County, roll into state semifinals

Seeing many prognostications of a close game, Jamie Rodgers let his Bradford football team know about it. And he let them know it again and again throughout the week, driving home the point.

Justin Barney and Jamal St. Cyr recap the Regional Finals and preview next week's State Semifinals

Pierce County advances to State Semifinals: Pierce County 49, Fellowship Christian Paladins 17

Camden County advances to State Semifinals: Camden County 39, Mill Creek 20

Bolles advances to State Semifinals: Bolles 34, Bishop Moore 14

Bartram Trail gets knocked out of playoffs in Regional Finals: Buchholz 37, Bartram Trail 17

St. Augustine advances to State Semifinals: St. Augustine 35, Choctawhatchee 26

Trinity Christian advances to State Semifinals: Trinity Christian 48, Orlando Christian Prep 20

High school football ‘23 playoff picks: Can 6 area teams make the state semis?

News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will reveal his high school football picks for the week each Thursday.

Breaking down the Black Friday high school football playoff games

It's the third round of the high school football playoffs, and if teams are getting a chance to practice on Thanksgiving, that means it's been a successful season.