Flag football playoffs are here: Breaking down Northeast Florida first-round FHSAA games
The Florida High School Athletic Association begins flag football regional tournaments in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. All schedules are as listed by the FHSAA but are subject to change.
Region 1-1A
All games 7 p.m. Wednesday unless noted
Middleburg (8-5) at Bradford (8-1)
Expect a close one in Starke. Bradford has beaten the Broncos twice already in April, but it's been tight both times (7-0 and 7-6). Middleburg's Brooke Cooper has eight receiving TDs.
Suwannee (12-2) at Florida High (11-1)
A rematch of two years ago, when Suwannee won 25-13. For the visiting Bulldogs, Cherish Sutton and Alaira Handy swarm the secondary with 18 combined interceptions. The sister duo of Rachel White and Danielle White led the Seminoles to a first district title last week.
Region 2-1A
Westside (7-5) at Clay (10-1)
Only the Fleming Island machine has escaped defeat against the top-seeded Blue Devils, who have outscored opponents 239-14. Kirra Dodson, also a high scorer on the soccer field, adds zip to the offense. After an impressive start, Westside's momentum has reversed, losing their last four.
Menendez (10-3) at Stanton (9-4)
It's taken only three years for the Falcons to build a double-digit winner from the ground up. They face a proven winner in Stanton, with one of Duval County's top all-around flag football athletes in senior Courtney Brown.
Raines (5-4) vs. Paxon (12-3), at Englewood
Paxon goes for the triple sweep after beating the Vikings 27-7 and 18-0 earlier in the season. The defensive energy of Reese Holman (7 INT) and Deanna Young (15 sacks) complements the offense with Ansley Hicks (927 yards rushing, 10 TD).
Ridgeview (6-8) at White (14-3)
It's tough to score against White: Rusher Elyhana Perez-Stevenson and defensive back Tyra Pierce are leaders on a Commander defense that's won seven straight, holding foes to 37 points in that span. But Ridgeview made it difficult for them in a 21-13 district final.
Region 1-2A
All games 7 p.m. Thursday unless noted
Mandarin (9-5) at Fleming Island (14-0)
A potential final-four road begins for the unbeaten Golden Eagles. London Jenkins (705 yards rushing, 21 TD, 425 yards receiving) is among the state's best. They can't afford to overlook a quick Mustangs lineup that includes two-sport standout Irvieona Gantt (6 INT, 769 yards receiving).
Tallahassee Chiles (10-3) at Fletcher (12-3)
Gateway Conference runner-up Fletcher leans on a firm defense with Katie Rodney (15 sacks) and Ashley Mohrmann (4 INT) as battle-tested seniors. Faith Durden has 11 receiving scores for Chiles, which knocked out Fletcher 48-7 two years ago.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville high school flag football: FHSAA round 1 playoff preview
