Due to the high school volleyball playoffs, our weekly high school sports show, “The Prep Zone,” will not air on Wednesday night at locally owned Sonic Drive-In.
The show is likely to return next Wednesday, although it is currently to be announced based on next week’s volleyball regional finals for the right to go to the final four.
Last week, our guests were Eastside swimming and diving coach Jon Allen and members of the Rams’ girls and boys swim teams. If you missed the show, it’s archived online.
Typically, every Thursday night on 106.9 FM “I am Country” is reserved for the Jacksonville Jaguars Coaches Show. However, the Jags are off this week.
That opens the door for our Stephenson Septic Tank Services Game of the Week, as our Friday game between Williston and host Newberry was moved up to Thursday night.
The visiting Red Devils (7-1), who hammered GHS, 65-21, last Thursday, are ranked seventh in the state for the Rural classification in the latest FHSAA football rankings. They are unofficially a lock for the Rural state playoffs, which invites the top 16 teams.
Williston is averaging 46.13 points per game thanks to a rushing attack that is averaging 314.6 yards per game. The Red Devils, who have scored 42 points or more six times this season, are averaging a whopping 9.1 yards per carry.
The host Panthers (4-4), winners of four of their last five games, kept their playoff hopes alive in Class 2A with a 25-7 win at Fort White last Friday. They finished with over 300 yards rushing.
Newberry is currently ranked 8th in Class 2A-Region 2. However, four bids go to district champions with the other four spots going to at-large teams. That means the Panthers are currently on the bubble with two games to play.
The Panthers won last year’s meeting, 28-14, at Williston, but the Red Devils defeated Newberry on the road, 24-22, two years ago on a Statue of Liberty play call.
Since 2004, Newberry leads the series 11-9, but it’s tied at 3-3 over the last six games.
Join Mainstreet Daily News Sports Director Mike Ridaught (Play-by-play) and former Gator football player Hank Rone (Color) for this matchup of potential state playoff teams.
You can listen to the game on 106.9 FM “I am Country” with audio online at IamCountryGainesville.com beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Our radio game is one of two games that will be broadcast on Thursday night, meaning a rare Friday night off this week.
Buchholz will host Bartram Trail (St. Johns) in a key Class 6A-District 3 game at Citizens Field.
The host Bobcats (7-1, 2-0), who have won six games in a row, can win the district title outright with a win against the visiting Bears (2-6, 1-1). It’s also Senior Night for Buchholz, which edged Bartram Trail, 38-37, on the road last year.
Buchholz (7-1, 2-0), which is ranked fourth overall in Florida and No. 1 in Class 6A, is averaging 180 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore running back Chris Johnson, who has also seen some time at wide receiver, leads the ‘Cats with 499 yards on 74 carries.
Johnson is second with five touchdowns behind sophomore quarterback Andrew Whittmore (6), who has 930 yards passing with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
Audio of the game will be streamed online at Mainstreet Daily News.
Join Marty Pallman (Play-by-play) and Matt Montalto (Color) for all the action, beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m. The kickoff is at 7 p.m.
High School Football Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 23
- Bartram Trail (St. Johns) at Buchholz, 7 p.m.
- Williston at Newberry, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24
- Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) at Bell, 7 p.m.
- Bronson at Christ’s Church Academy (Jacksonville), 7 p.m.
- First Coast Christian (Jacksonville) at Cornerstone Academy, 7 p.m.
- Hawthorne at Melbourne Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
- Keystone Heights at Palatka, 7 p.m.
- North Florida Educational Institute (Jacksonville) at Oak Hall, 7 p.m.
- P.K. Yonge at Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 7 p.m.
- Saint Francis Catholic Academy at Countryside Christian, 7 p.m.
- Vanguard (Ocala) at GHS, 7 p.m.
- Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) at Suwannee (Live Oak), 7:30 p.m.
- Moore Haven at Trenton, 7:30 p.m.
- Clay (Green Cove Springs) at Columbia (Lake City), 7:30 p.m.
- Fort White at Hamilton County (Jasper), 7:30 p.m.
- Hudson at Union County (Lake Butler), 7:30 p.m.
- Lafayette (Mayo) at Branford, 7:30 p.m.
- North Marion (Citra) at Eastside, 7:30 p.m.*
- Santa Fe (Alachua) at Bradford (Starke), 7:30 p.m.
- West Nassau (Callahan) at Dixie County (Cross City), 7:30 p.m.
- OFF – Chiefland
*at Santa Fe High School (Alachua)