This week’s slate of games has some massive contests to look forward to and none bigger than the classic rivalry of the Nease Panthers making the trip south to face the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets.
It is a matchup with much intrigue surrounding it, as not only are there the traditional bragging rights on the line but both teams enter the game undefeated with records of 3-0.
Both also have high expectations this season of deep playoff runs and the shot to be true state contenders.
The Panthers have been clicking on all cylinders to start the season, and they look to keep that momentum going against a Yellow Jackets squad that has had their number in recent years, having won the past six games in the series.
The last Panthers’ win came in 2018, and the matchup has also proved to be a high scoring affair most of those years since, with the Yellow Jackets scoring 40-plus points on four occasions during the six-game stretch.
This means the key to the game will be which defense can slow the opposing explosive offense down the best, but so far this year’s Panthers’ defense seems to be playing at another level, which should make for an epic contest.
Another major matchup is the Beachside Barracudas (2-1) going on the road to face the Bishop Kenny Crusaders (3-1) in Jacksonville along the banks of the St. Johns River.
This matchup is all about pitting two explosive offenses against each other and seeing which one will come out on top.
However, the Barracudas did struggle to find rhythm in their previous game against Ponte Vedra High, and only time will tell if the Crusaders or other defenses can replicate the success the Sharks were able to have.
One thing helping the Barracudas’ offense literally find their rhythm earlier this week is that the daily rain has subsided some so the field conditions should not be as sloppy as they were last Friday night, which means better footing for Eddie Jordan in the pocket and a dry ball for receivers to catch.
The Crusaders are coming off a tough loss to the Bolles Bulldogs, where they saw a lead melt away late to fall 35-28.
The team that handed the Barracudas their first loss was the Ponte Vedra Sharks, and they look to extend their winning streak to three games when they welcome in the Menendez Falcons on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
With it being on Thursday night, the Sharks and Falcons will be kicking off the week’s slate of game in another St. Johns County showdown.
The Falcons (2-1) will come into the Shark Tank with momentum of their own as they appear to have been revitalized as a program and have their eyes set on a district title after a 31-12 victory over Parker last week.
The Falcons have scored more than 30 points in both of their wins so far this season, but they have played each of their three games at home, which means their visit to face the Sharks will be their first road game experience.
How they respond to being away from the friendly confines of their home crowd will be a major factor in which way the contest goes, and the Sharks’ faithful will surely be loud and look to make it as difficult as possible.
