This week, we’re putting the spotlight on several sports, including swimming and diving, volleyball, cross country and football.
Tonight from 6-7 p.m., join me from Sonic Drive-In on 39th Avenue in Gainesville for “The Prep Zone” sports show. My guests for this episode include Gainesville High School cross country coach Kecia Johnson and members of the Hurricanes’ girls and boys cross country teams.
You can listen to the show online, ‘live’ and ‘archived’ at Mainstreet Daily News and ThePrepZone.com.
On Thursday night, tune in to the Jacksonville Jaguars Coaches Show on 106.9 FM “I am Country,” followed by this Sunday’s game at the San Francisco 49ers. The pregame show begins at 3 p.m., followed by the kickoff at 4:05 p.m.
We have a pair of high school football broadcasts on Friday.
The Buchholz football team is back at Citizens Field for a home game against Nease (Ponte Vedra) in a matchup of top five teams in Class 6A.
The host Bobcats are ranked eighth overall in Florida and No. 3 in 6A in the first FHSAA rankings of the year, while Nease is ranked 11th overall and No. 4 in 6A.
Last week, in a game that was called at the half due to lightning, but the Bobcats got their first win in program history against an out-of-state team with a 21-0 victory against Richmond Hill (GA).
Buchholz pitched its first shutout since a 59-0 win against Mosley (Lynn Haven) in the 2023 Class 4S-Region 1 Quarterfinals.
Sophomore quarterback Andrew Whittemore completed 9-of-10 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and University of Florida commit Justin Williams carried the ball five times for 58 yards and a touchdown and added four catches for 81 yards and a score.
The visiting Panthers (4-1), who are averaging 36.2 points per game, suffered their first loss last week, 28-24, against Class 4A No. 1 St. Augustine.
Nease won last year’s meeting against Buchholz, 20-17, at home.
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) and former Gator football player Hank Rone (Color) for the Class 6A-District 3 opener for both teams.
You can listen to the game on 106.9 FM “I am Country” with audio online at IamCountryGainesville.com beginning at 6:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Santa Fe (Alachua) football team is one of only two unbeaten Alachua County teams remaining, along with SSAA member Oak Hall School (4-0).
The host Raiders (4-0), who are coached by former Gator Earnest Graham, defeated previously unbeaten Fernandina Beach, 37-27, on the road last week.
They will host University Christian (Jacksonville) for homecoming this Friday night. The visiting Christians (4-1) are ranked 11th in Class 1A, while Santa Fe is ranked No. 8 in Class 2A in the first FHSAA rankings of the season.
Join Cam Parker (Play-by-play) and Hunter Zbarsky (Color) for all the action online (audio only), beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
High School Football Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 25
P.K. Yonge at Oak Hall, 7 p.m.
Saint Francis Catholic Academy at Florida School for the Deaf & Blind (St. Augustine), 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
Columbia (Lake City) at St. Augustine, 7 p.m.
Nease (Ponte Vedra) at Buchholz, 7 p.m.
University Christian (Jacksonville) at Santa Fe (Alachua), 7 p.m.
Williston at Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 7 p.m.
Bell at Dixie County (Cross City), 7:30 p.m.
Bradford (Starke) at Keystone Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Eastside at Dunnellon, 7:30 p.m.
Hilliard at Branford, 7:30 p.m.
Palatka at Newberry, 7:30 p.m.
Paxon (Jacksonville) at Union County (Lake Butler), 7:30 p.m.
Trenton at Chiefland, 7:30 p.m.
Wakulla (Crawfordville) at Suwannee (Live Oak), 7:30 p.m.
OFF – Bronson, Fort White, GHS, Hawthorne