Excitement Builds as Jacksonville High School Football Season Kicks Off!
Explore Fort White's prospects for the 2025 high school football season, featuring key players, coaching insights, and playoff outlook.
Excitement Builds as Jacksonville High School Football Season Kicks Off!
As the sun rises on a promising football season, local high school teams in Florida are gearing up for kickoff. The Florida high school football regular season is set to commence on August 22 for Rural class teams, with independent teams hitting the field even earlier, starting August 15. The excitement is palpable, especially with the recent announcement of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl’s 2025 Dream Team during a signing day ceremony for a dozen kids from Dreams Come True, as detailed by Jacksonville.com.
Competition is heating up this season, particularly among the Rural class teams. Fort White and Union County shined brightly last year, both making the Rural playoffs. However, Northeast Florida’s independent teams such as Paxon, St. Joseph, and West Nassau are expected to be formidable contenders in the SSAA. Will they rise to the occasion? Only time will tell.
Rural Class Teams Set for Action
Fort White, led by head coach Demetric Jackson in his 17th year, boasts a strong lineup with returning stars like Darion Brinson and Ashton Giddens. After a 6-5 record last year, they’re pushing for a big return. Jackson himself could well be a Division I prospect. Meanwhile, Union County, under rookie head coach Lamar Waters, is also set for a solid season, with key returners such as Landon Cason ready to make a splash after last year’s impressive 10-2 finish.
Here’s a quick look at some standout teams:
| Team | Head Coach | Record (Last Year) | Key Returners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort White | Demetric Jackson | 6-5 | Darion Brinson, Ashton Giddens |
| Union County | Lamar Waters | 10-2 | Landon Cason, Wyatt Elixson |
| Paxon | Steve Brown | 7-2 | Jay Futch, Braylon Jenkins |
| St. Joseph | Cash Forbrich | 10-2 | Asher Glisson, Cody Ott |
| West Nassau | Gunnar Cox | 9-2 | Pryce Arnold, Andi Ataiza |
This year, the independent teams are equally diverse in talent and strategies. Bishop Snyder, Cedar Creek Christian, and Christ’s Church are eager to leave their mark, each with unique storylines leading into the season. Bishop Snyder, with head coach Travis Markoski at the helm, looks to build on a .500 season with key players like Jared Jones stepping into critical roles.
Football and Community at the Gator Bowl
In addition to the thrilling football season, opportunities for young athletes abound thanks to events like the 80th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Takeover. The community came together at Everbank Field on January 2, 2025, where hundreds of middle and high school student-athletes enjoyed a day filled with football, food, and fun. This year’s bowl game featured a compelling faceoff where Ole Miss triumphed over Duke with a 52-20 score, marking a milestone 10-win season for the Rebels. For those wanting to catch the event next year, schools are encouraged to join in on the festivities, as reported by ITG Next.
Moreover, students have a chance to shine beyond the field with scholarships aimed at furthering their education. Previous recipients include standout athletes from various local schools, like Ava Larson from Bishop Kenny High School and Caroline Taylor from Episcopal School of Jacksonville. These scholarships foster both academic and athletic growth, grinding away at the barriers many kids face in pursuing their dreams, further highlighted by the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl’s commitment to encouraging young talent, as elaborated on TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
The upcoming season brims with opportunity and excitement for players and fans alike. As teams take to the field in the weeks ahead, the community will undoubtedly rally around the spirit of competition, growth, and camaraderie that makes high school football in Florida so special.