Game of Week to feature Eastside vs. Buchholz on 106.9 FM

Game of Week football template
Graphic by Neida Cruz

Tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., we are back at Sonic Drive-In for “The Prep Zone” sports show after a one-week hiatus.

Join Mainstreet Daily News sports director Mike Ridaught as he talks about high school sports from your locally owned Sonic Drive-In of Gainesville on 39th Avenue. His guests for this episode include Buchholz volleyball coach Andre Medina and members of the Lady Bobcats’ volleyball team.

You can listen to the show online at Mainstreet Daily News.

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At 6 p.m. on Thursday, tune in to the Jacksonville Jaguars Coaches Show on 106.9 FM “I Am Country,” followed by this Sunday’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. The pregame show begins at noon, followed by the kickoff at 1 p.m.

Last week, we had two really good high school football games as part of our broadcast coverage.

On Thursday, Aug. 28, Eastside rallied from a 19-0 deficit in the third quarter to defeat Rickards (Tallahassee), 28-25, at Citizens Field.

Then on Friday, Buchholz lost a heartbreaker at home to Vero Beach in a matchup of two of the top teams in the state.

Buchholz trailed 21-6 until sophomore quarterback Andrew Whittemore completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Marquel Brooks with 19 seconds to play in the half to make it a one-score game at the half.

The Class 6A No. 2 Bobcats, who are aiming for another deep run in the playoffs, then took their first lead of the game on a 34-yard field goal by senior kicker Jay Giunta with 1:28 remaining in the game for a 24-21 lead.

However, the Class 7A No. 2 Indians marched down the field 80 yards in 58 seconds and stunned the ‘Cats with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Florida State University commit E.J. White to University of Kentucky commit Jordan Crutchfield with 30 seconds remaining for a 28-24 win at Citizens Field.

That sets up a city showdown on Friday between host Buchholz and Eastside, which is seeking its fourth straight playoff appearance in 2025.

Two years ago, the Bobcats extended their winning streak in the series to 10 games with a 35-0 victory. Although the final score was not indicative last year, Eastside closed the gap somewhat in a 35-7 loss for Buchholz’s 11th straight win in the series.

Friday’s game will be broadcast on 106.9 FM “I am Country”, beginning with the pregame coverage at 7 p.m. with Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) and MDN reporter Nick Anshultz (Color) calling the action. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The Newberry football team, which entered the season ready for another deep run, will try to avoid a 0-3 start following a 47-14 loss at University Christian (Jacksonville) in week one and a 32-7 loss at home last week to Hawthorne.

Their opponent on Friday is Vanguard (Ocala).

The Knights (1-1), who are ranked 11th in Class 4A by MaxPreps, lost at Buchholz, 15-13, in week one but bounced back with a 76-0 win at Lake Minneola last Friday.

The Panthers’ game will be broadcast on Mainstreet Daily News beginning at 7:15 p.m. with Cam Parker (Play-by-play) and Tori Kitchens (Color) calling the action. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

High School Football Schedule – Week 3

Friday, Sept. 5

Aucilla Christian (Monticello) at Trenton, 7 p.m.

Bronson at Trinity Prep (Winter Park), 7 p.m.

Eastland Christian (Orlando) at Cornerstone Academy, 7 p.m.

Florida High (Tallahassee) at Hawthorne, 7 p.m.

Harvest Community (Jacksonville) at Santa Fe (Alachua), 7 p.m.

Merritt Island Christian at Countryside Christian, 7 p.m.

Oak Hall at Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto), 7 p.m.

Paxon (Jacksonville) at Williston, 7 p.m.

Zarephath Academy (Jacksonville) at P.K. Yonge, 7 p.m.

Bell at Branford, 7:30 p.m.

Belleview at Chiefland, 7:30 p.m.

Bradford (Starke) at South Sumter (Bushnell), 7:30 p.m.

Columbia (Lake City) at Hillsborough (Tampa), 7:30 p.m.

Dixie County (Cross City) at Taylor County (Perry), 7:30 p.m.

Eastside at Buchholz, 7:30 p.m.

Fort White at North Marion (Citra), 7:30 p.m.

GHS at Crystal River, 7:30 p.m.

Suwannee (Live Oak) at Madison County, 7:30 p.m.

Vanguard (Ocala) at Newberry, 7:30 p.m.

OFF – Keystone Heights, Union County (Lake Butler)

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