Mike Ridaught
There are only 10 regular season high school football games on a schedule, if you’re fortunate, so every game is big.
But some games are much bigger than others.
District games carry more weight. A district title clinches a playoff spot, along with putting your sport in the record books.
With the postseason beginning just five weeks from Friday, this is a pivotal month.
Here is a look at the top district races in the area heading into October.
Buchholz (5-0 overall, 1-0 in 4S-District 3) – The Bobcats, who were off last week, step outside of district play this week with a city showdown against rival GHS on Thursday night.
The next three weeks will determine their district fate.
Following back-to-back state semifinal appearances, Buchholz controls its destiny in the district and is looking to secure home field advantage in the postseason.
The Bobcats, who defeated Creekside (St. Johns) in the district opener on Sept. 15, will travel to Oakleaf (Orange Park) next week, followed by a huge game at home on Thursday, Oct. 19, against Bartram Trail (St. Johns) in what will likely be for the district title.
Buchholz, which closes out its district schedule at Fleming Island (Orange Park) on Oct. 27, lost at Bartram Trail during the regular season last year, 21-6, but the Bobcats defeated the Bears, 21-20, in last year’s 4S-Region 1 Final.
Columbia (Lake City) (1-4 overall, 1-0 3S-District 3) – The Tigers got their first win of the season this past Friday with a 36-0 victory against Orange Park.
Despite an 0-4 start, the win against the Raiders was a district game.
The Tigers, who were in the 3S state semifinals last year, have played a difficult non-district schedule against Buchholz, DeLand, Madison County, and Trinity Christian (Jacksonville). They step outside of district play again this Friday with a huge game against Bolles (Jacksonville).
However, the Tigers are in good shape to finish strong and should be favored to win upcoming district games at Middleburg (2-3, 1-0) on Oct. 13 and at Ridgeview (Orange Park) (1-4, 0-1) following an open week on Oct. 27.
Eastside (3-2 overall, 1-0 2S-District 7) – It’s cut and dry for the Rams, who defeated North Marion (Citra), 42-0, last Thursday.
It’s just a three-team district, so a win at Santa Fe (Alachua) on Oct. 27 will give the Rams their second straight district title.
Santa Fe (Alachua) (0-6 overall, 0-1 2S-District 7) – The Raiders fell on the road to North Marion, 31-17, on Sept. 15, and would need to beat Eastside to force a three-way tie in their district.
Bradford (Starke) (5-0 overall, 1-0 2S-District 6) – The Tornadoes set a school record last year with nine shutouts and advanced to the 2S state semifinals, falling to eventual state champion Cocoa.
Although they’ve yet only posted one shutout in five games, Bradford is only allowing 5.2 ppg.
Their 48-6 win at home against Keystone Heights last Friday sealed the Indians’ fate and set up a home showdown with Palatka (4-1) on Oct. 27 for the title.
Suwannee (Lake City) (5-0, 1-0 2S-District 4) – The Bulldogs cruised to a 33-9 win against winless Taylor County (Perry) last Friday in its district opener.
The Bulldogs, who are averaging 34.2 points per game, will play for the district title on Oct. 27 at home against Wakulla (Crawfordville), which is currently 6-0 and averaging 40.3 ppg.
Both teams could be ranked top five in the state in 2S heading into this game at the end of the month.
P.K. Yonge (3-2 overall, 0-0 1S-District 3) – The Blue Wave, who defeated Santa Fe, 28-27, last Friday, have a winning record under first-year coach and former alum Willie Jackson, Jr.
That’s the good news.
The bad news? State runner-up Trinity Catholic (Ocala), which is ranked No. 1 in 1S, is in their three-team district along with St. Joseph (St. Augustine).
The Celtics will host the Blue Wave on Thursday, Oct. 26, for the district title.
Gainesville was eliminated in 3S-District 4 following last Friday’s Homecoming loss to Menendez (St. Augustine).
Class 1R does not have districts, only regions, and competes for seedings through the regular season.