The Northeast Florida Game of the Week features two unbeaten teams, and they are both ranked inside the Top 25 in all classifications, according to MaxPreps.
The Mandarin Mustangs (3-0) look to continue to shift forward as they are coming off a 41-0 thumping win over Sandalwood in their last game and that was without their five-star signal caller in senior Tramell Jones (Florida State commit) who is out with a leg injury. Freshman quarterback Knox Annis showed no signs of nerves last week where he threw for 129 yards on just 4-of-8 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Junior running back Donte Perry was the lead catalyst in the rushing attack where he had 73 yards on 10 carries in the win over Sandalwood last week. Another name to keep an eye on for the Mustangs’ offense is junior running back Ayden Owens who can make plays happen in the backfield as well as in the passing game.
The Mustangs’ defense has been stifling in the first three games of the season where they have allowed just an average of 4.3 points per game and recorded back-to-back shutouts. The defense leader so far through the first three games this season has been junior linebacker Israel Ratliff who has recorded a team-high 22 tackles (3.0 Tackles for loss). Also keep an eye on senior linebacker Kemari Spriggs who can play defensive end as well where his versatility has started to take notice as far as potential to play at the next level.
On the other side, The Bradford Tornadoes (3-0) will look to protect their home turf as they have won 12 consecutive games at David Hurse Stadium dating back to last season.
The Tornadoes are coming off a 28-7 win over South Sumter in their last game where they were led by senior running back Jeremiah McKenzie (Central Michigan commit) and senior quarterback Zack Paulk who can be efficient with his arm as well as his legs. Paulk has looked very effective in his first three games as a Bradford Tornado after transferring from Columbia (Lake City) High School during the off-season.
Also, keep an eye on junior two-way athlete Jy’quez Cason who plays with a ton of versatility and can take snaps at running back, wide receiver, and defensive back where he is a matchup nightmare for opponents as he is all over the field. Another name to keep an eye on in the middle of the Tornadoes defense is senior linebacker Reese Wainwright who has made a name for himself as one of the top linebackers in the Northeast Florida area.
Friday’s meeting between Mandarin and Bradford will be the first all-time meeting head-to-head.
Score Prediction: Mandarin 24, Bradford 20
