This fall a total of 11 high school football games will make air on the radio in Gainesville and Ocala. Tune in to theprepzone.com Game of the Week on Florida Sports Talk Powered by NBC Sports (AM-1230 Gainesville, AM-900 Ocala & FM-100.1 Ocala). Listen to the games on you iPhone, iPad or computer. Mike Ridaught will handle the play-by-play with analysis throughout the season from Ben Murphy, Tyler TenBieg, Jake Winderman and more.
THEPREPZONE.COM Radio Game of the Week on Florida Sports Talk Powered by NBC Sports
Friday, August 28 – Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) at Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
The two-time defending 3A state champions open up the season against a team they eliminated in last year’s playoffs en route to the state title. Trinity Christian is ranked No. 1 in the state, while Trinity Catholic is receiving votes in the 3A state poll. The Celtics, who will play a challenging schedule in 2015, will find out very early where they’re at under new head coach Joe Sturdivant, who takes over for John Brantley.
Friday, September 4 – First Coast (Jacksonville) at Gainesville
The Bucs make their first trip to Citizen’s Field in a match-up of playoff hopefuls. First Coast, ranked 7th in the state in Class 7A, is coming off a 12-1 season that ended with a loss to Apopka, the eventual 8A state champion, in the regional finals. The Purple Hurricanes, receiving votes in the 6A state poll, were the only Alachua County team to make the postseason in 2014.
Friday, September 11 – Trinity Catholic (Ocala) at Lake Weir (Ocala)
It’s public vs. private in Marion County and a good measuring stick in the first-ever meeting between the teams. Lake Weir continues to improve, going from just one win two seasons ago to four victories last season. The Class 6A Hurricanes are seeking their first postseason trip since 2009 and a win at home against the tradition-rich Celtics could serve as a confidence builder entering district play.
Friday, September 18 – Lake Weir (Ocala) at Gainesville
It’s a battle of the Hurricanes in the Class 6A-District 5 opener for both teams. It’s the first of three Alachua County vs. Marion County match-ups on the radio. Gainesville is competing for its fourth straight district title.
Friday, September 25 – Gainesville at North Marion (Citra)
Alachua County takes on Marion County in back-to-back weeks featuring two teams who made the postseason last year and eye a return trip to the playoffs. GHS is seeking its seventh consecutive playoff appearance while the Colts have been to the playoffs 15 consecutive seasons.
Friday, October 2 – Oak Hall (Gainesville) at St. Francis Catholic (Gainesville)
Small school showdown between two Westside rivals. Oak Hall’s former coach, Scott McDaniel, is now the head coach at St. Francis Catholic.
Friday, October 9 – Buchholz (Gainesville) at Gainesville
City rivalry took a turn when the ‘Cats defeated the ‘Canes, 23-20, on a 40-yard game-winning field goal by Coby Weiss on the final play of the game. The win snapped a five-game losing streak to the Hurricanes and also clinched the Bobcats’ first city title since 2006.
Friday, October 16 – Belleview at Eastside (Gainesville)
The visiting Rattlers are in a three-team district with the Rams and District 6-5A favorite North Marion, who hosts Eastside on October 2 and travels to Belleview the week after this big game. There’s a lot at stake in this game with a playoff berth on the line in our final Alachua County vs. Marion County showdown.
Friday, October 23 – Santa Fe (Alachua) at P.K. Yonge (Gainesville)
The Raiders missed the 5A state playoffs last year despite a 7-3 record and they drop down to Class 4A this season. They are considered the front runner in the new District 3-4A, but the Blue Wave possess plenty of talent in Kent Johnson’s third season. This game could be for the district championship.
Friday, October 30 – Trinity Catholic (Ocala) at Trinity Prep (Winter Park)
The Celtics could wrap up another district title with a win, but Trinity Prep, led by FSU baseball commit Jarred Herron, could be fighting for a playoff spot in the District 3-3A finale.
Friday, November 6 – Buchholz (Gainesville) at Santa Fe (Alachua)
This is only the fourth meeting between the two Alachua County schools in the past 11 years with Buchholz holding a slight 2-1 edge during that time including a 27-12 win against the Raiders in 2012. Neither team made the playoffs last year so both teams are hoping that this game will serve as a good test heading into the postseason.
