Bolles' goals are huge in football. Where do they stack up in 2A race?

One year after reaching the Florida High School Athletic Association final, Bolles is eyeing a repeat appearance in the championship, and possibly one of the eight spots available in the inaugural Open Division. But four other Jacksonville-area teams in Class 2A are also chasing down postseason berths. Here are teams and players to watch.

DISTRICT 3-2A

BALDWIN

Head coach:

Donald Velvet, third year (12-10).

Last year: 7-4; lost to Florida High 42-31 in Region 1-2A quarterfinal.

Key returners: Harrison Farnum (QB/S, Jr., 6-1, 180); Tyquan Howard (OL/DL, So.); Amari Parker (DB, Sr., 5-10, 170); Micah Ramos (OL/DL, Sr., 5-10, 200)

Key newcomers: Jeremiah Hampton (RB/LB, So.)

Outlook: B-Town will be cheering on a much younger lineup in 2026, with only a handful

of returning seniors and plenty of starters in the 2028 and 2029 classes. Baldwin often leans more on the pass but may tweak that approach this year to account for the breakaway skills of Hampton, in line for a heavy role in the offense.

BOLLES

Head coach: Matt Toblin, eighth year (69-23); 15th year overall (125-48).

Last year: 13-2; lost to Cardinal Mooney 52-28 in Class 2A state championship.

Key returners: Brett Bearden (LB, Jr.. 6-2, 220); Xander Edwards (RB, Jr., 6-1, 210); Jaxon Flowers (ATH, Jr., 6-3, 190); Asher Ghioto (DE, Jr., 6-5, 245); Christian Hayes (LB, Sr., 6-0, 210); Dashaydon Phillips (DB, Sr., 5-11, 170); Camden Tietze (WR, Sr., 6-0, 170); Luke Toland (QB, Jr., 6-0, 205); William Zebroski (OL, Jr., 6-4, 295).

Key newcomers: Jaiden Barnett (ATH, Jr., 6-1, 165); Anson Bivins (DL, Jr., 6-3, 330); Luke Odom (OL, Jr., 6-3, 285); J.C. Wessel (TE, Jr., 6-6, 225).

Outlook: Is this the year the Bulldogs end their 15-year wait for another FHSAA championship? They can call upon the state's leading rusher in Edwards, return proven players on the outside on both sides of the ball and field possibly the nation's top 2028 edge rusher in Ghioto. There's heavy turnover on the line, but if that piece comes together, a special year could await at Skinner-Barco Stadium.

JACKSON

Head coach: Bobby Ramsay, third year (10-12); 19th year overall (109-87).

Last year: 5-7.

Key returners: Elli Greendeer (OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 275); Carlos Garvin (WR/S, Sr., 6-0, 157); Amir Little (TE/DE, Sr., 6-4, 190); Marshaun Parker (WR/S, Sr., 5-10, 160); Malkiel Pierce (WR/DB, Sr., 5-11, 160); Charles Ward (DE, Sr., 5-11, 195)

Key newcomers: Hans Price (QB, Sr., 6-1, 180).

Outlook: There's change coming to a formerly ground-heavy Tigers offense now that Price, who threw for 2,695 total yards in eighth and ninth grades at Impact Christian, is available behind center to launch the ball. The athletes are many for Jackson in the passing game, giving them a chance to surpass last year's mark.

KIPP BOLD CITY

Head coach: D'Angelo Jordan, third year (1-19).

Last year: 0-10.

Key returners: Montrel Clerk (RB/LB, Sr., 5-9, 190); Jayden Faustin (RB/LB, So., 5-7, 175); Brailyn Robertson (DB, So., 6-1, 175); Darius Ware (DB, So., 5-7, 135); De'Angelo Ware (WR/DB, Sr., 5-10, 175)

Key newcomers: Antonio White (WR, Sr., 5-8, 170)

Outlook: Jordan said the off-season routine has been encouraging for the Greyhounds, seeking to end a 14-game winless streak that goes back to September 2024. Cleaning up turnovers and building cohesion on the front will be crucial.

DISTRICT 4-2A

BRADFORD

Head coach: Ross Baker, first year.

Last year: 11-2; lost to Cocoa 17-10 in Region 2-2A final.

Key returners: Iyen Addison (RB, Sr., 5-8, 180); Caiden Carn (DB, Jr., 5-11, 170); Jordan Cason (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 180); Cy Cubbedge (QB, Jr., 6-2, 180); Parviele Lee (LB, Sr., 6-0, 225); Danny Torres (DT, Sr., 6-2, 275)

Key newcomers: Raef Cubbedge (ATH, Fr., 5-11, 190); Drew Simmons (RB, Sr., 5-8, 160).

Outlook: The Tornadoes enter a new era under Baker, arriving from Georgia, in a three-team district with Newberry and Ocala Trinity Catholic. Few teams in Class 2A can match the one-two running combination of elusive backs Addison and Simmons, and if the blocking comes together, huge rushing numbers are in range. Expect Cason, committed to Northwestern, to excel on both sides of the ball.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Bolles' goals are huge in football. Where do they stack up in 2A race?