Raines aims for a repeat. Which teams could challenge in 3A football?

High school football kicks off in Class 3A on Aug. 21 across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, with Raines as the defending Florida High School Athletic Association champion and eight other local teams aiming to chase the Vikings down. See top teams and players to watch for 2026.

DISTRICT 2-3A

BAKER COUNTY

Head coach: Jamie Rodgers

, first year of current stint (29-9 at school); 15th year overall (120-50)

Last year: 4-7; lost to Raines 43-6 in Region 1-3A quarterfinal.

Key returners: Kelden Dupree (ATH, So., 6-1, 175); Hudson Hodges (ATH, Sr., 6-0, 185); Rhett Rhoden (WR/S, Sr., 6-0, 185); Delynno Ruise (RB, Jr., 5-9, 175); Weston Thomas (LB, Jr., 5-10, 180)

Key newcomers: Kahmali King (TE/DE, So., 6-0, 200)

Outlook: The Wildcats enter the second edition of

the Jamie Rodgers era in Macclenny after the two-time state finalist returned from Bradford. Returning to that level isn't an instant project, but 900-yard rusher Ruise gives the offense a reliable ground gainer and Rhoden already has nine interceptions for his high school career.

SUWANNEE

Head coach: Kyler Hall, 11th year (54-54); 16th year overall (81-81).

Last year: 1-9.

Key returners: Jamarcus Cherry (WR/CB, Sr., 5-9, 145); Travis Fead (LB, Sr., 5-10, 183); Travon Fead (RB, So., 5-8, 183); Josh Johnson (LB, Jr., 5-11, 180); Kyler Watson (LB, Sr., 6-2, 205)

Outlook: In a rare unchanged district that also includes Tallahassee Godby and Wakulla, eyes are focused on a pair of multi-talented Bulldogs. Watson made eight sacks on defense and also mows people down from the pitcher's mound for Suwannee baseball, and he becomes even more important after the transfer of Koy Frier to Gainesville Buchholz.

DISTRICT 3-3A

BISHOP KENNY

Head coach: Tim Krause, eighth year (42-33); 13th year overall (62-63).

Last year: 10-3; lost to Raines 61-15 in Region 1-3A final.

Key returners: Jerald Dewdney (DE, Jr., 6-2, 225); James Holder (OL, Jr., 6-4, 305); Riley Jones (OL, Sr., 6-0, 230); Donavon Mattis (OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 235); Caleb Mattison (RB, Sr., 5-10, 200); Andrew McCoy Jr. (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 165); Jack Sutter (LB, Sr., 5-10, 200)

Key newcomers: John Upchurch (QB, So., 6-0, 185)

Outlook: It's a year of double duty on the St. Johns River. Workhorse running back Mattison, who has carried more than 600 times in three years, is among several Crusaders expecting to perform on both sides of the ball. Bishop Kenny looks solid in the trenches, where the lines include the likes of Holder, Dewdney and Mattis, and a sixth consecutive playoff trip looks likely.

PARKER

Head coach: Ron Hendricks, first year.

Last year: 2-7.

Key returners: Jordan Berberena (OL/DL, Sr.); Detrich McDougal (TE, So.); Breon Lunford (OL/DL, Sr.); Tristian Mitchell (RB, So., 5-10, 200); Derrell Monroe (QB, So., 5-8, 160); Anthony Walker (DE, Jr., 5-11, 195)

Outlook: The freshman duo that sparked the Braves last year, quarterback Monroe and running back Mitchell, lead the charge again in year one for new coach Hendricks. Monroe threw for 1,710 yards and Mitchell rushed for 837, and the Braves will need significant production from both during this season's assignments.

RAINES

Head coach: Donovan Masline, seventh year (58-16).

Last year: 14-0; defeated Miami Northwestern 23-22 to win Class 3A championship.

Key returners: McKinley Alexander (OL, Jr., 6-3, 350); Curtis Asberry (RB, Sr., 5-9, 192); Troy Butler (DE, Sr., 6-2, 240); Travis Dixon Jr. (S, Sr., 6-0, 175); Sa'Mon Ellison-Morgan (QB, So., 6-3, 185); Zion Green (ATH, Jr., 6-4, 170); Roy Harvison Jr. (OL, Jr., 6-2, 290); Kiran Jackson (WR, Sr., 6-1, 185); Johdeem Jones (LB, Sr., 6-0, 205)

Key newcomers: Tacori Allen (DB, Sr., 5-10, 175); Donovan Moss (RB, Jr., 5-8, 175); Tristan Stevenson (WR, Sr., 6-0, 180); Tre'vion Williams (ATH, Sr., 5-11, 165); T.J. Williamson (ATH, Jr., 5-9, 160)

Outlook: Eyes are focused on a repeat in the Graveyard. It won't be easy, particularly after graduation losses in every section of the field, including starting quarterback T.J. Cole. But sophomore Ellison-Morgan showed promise in part-time action, and a defense anchored by Jones, Butler and two-way athlete Green looks set to carry on the proud Raines tradition for another deep playoff march.

DISTRICT 4-3A

MENENDEZ

Head coach: Will Stansell, first year; second year overall (5-6).

Last year: 3-7.

Key returners: Bennett Cornelison (LB, Sr., 5-11, 180); Jon Paul DeNight (TE/LB, Sr., 6-0, 210); Caden Hedrick (WR, Sr., 6-0, 170); Kingston Logan (S, Sr., 6-4, 200); Clayvarus Proctor (LB, Sr., 6-0, 190); Jayden Roberts (RB/DB, Jr., 5-10, 175); Isaac Smith (OL, Sr., 6-6, 275); Josiah Smith (TE/DL, Jr., 5-11, 200)

Key newcomers: Grayson Hedrick (QB, So., 5-11, 165)

Outlook: A four-game losing skid cost the Falcons down the stretch, but there's reason for optimism under new coach Stansell in this new district. Roberts has more than 1,200 all-purpose yards in two seasons as an all-purpose weapon, and DeNight has 100 tackles over the last two years. They're in the hunt for a first district championship since 2019.

PALATKA

Head coach: Lantz Lowery, second year (6-7); third year overall (7-16).

Last year: 6-7.

Key returners: Sheldon Brown (WR/DB, Sr., 6-1, 160); Damarius Curry (OL, Sr., 6-1, 330); Maurice Dumas (WR, Sr., 5-10, 145); Julius Leonard (DL, Sr., 6-0, 225); Kedric Wright Jr. (WR/DB, Sr., 6-0, 160).

Key newcomers: Noah McKinley (QB, Jr., 6-0, 185).

Outlook: Double state track champion Wright turns up the speed on both sides of the ball, zooming for 709 yards as a running back last season. On an offense that must replace four-year quarterback Tommy Offord, Wright's highlight plays are even more crucial.

WESTSIDE

Head coach: Micheal Burns, second year (0-9)

Last year: 0-9.

Key returners: Ethan Vela (RB, Sr., 5-8, 170); Stacey Bartley (WR/FS, So.); MacKenzie Clark (WR, Sr., 5-7, 145); Jamel Harper (WR, Sr.); Kamrien Lloyd (DL, Sr.)

Outlook: It's been a rough last few seasons for the Wolverines, who have lost 15 consecutive games and 35 of their last 36. Burns said this year's Wolverines are smaller but faster as they work to turn that momentum around. The first priority is to strengthen a defense that allowed more than 45 points per game in 2025.

WOLFSON

Head coach: Jermaine Wilson, fourth year (8-22).

Last year: 4-7.

Key returners: Leniel Alamo (OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 225); Lawson Gunn (WR, Sr.); Andrew Koenig (WR, Jr., 6-2, 152); Liam Reynolds (OL, Sr., 6-3, 270); Johannes Stanley (TE/DE, Sr., 6-0, 220); Sam Tousey (QB, Sr., 6-0, 170); Logan Whitaker (DE, Sr., 6-2, 202)

Outlook: Is this a year for the Wolfpack to surprise some people? Wilson is hopeful that Wolfson's participation in the Florida Invitational Tournament brought a "shot in the arm" for the program, and increased strength in the trenches may set them up for an improved 2026. They bring back a 1,108-yard quarterback in Tousey.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Raines aims for a repeat. Which teams could challenge in 3A football?