Class 1A high school football has a new look, with three returning private schools in Jacksonville as well as Fort White moving in after the end of the Rural class.Here's what Northeast Florida fans need to know.
DISTRICT 3-1A
FORT WHITE
Head coach: Demetric Jackson, 18th year and fourth in current stint (113-72); 20th year overall (128-81).
Last year: 8-4.
Key returners: Ja'vion Bailem (S, Sr., 5-11, 165); Caiden Campbell (OL/DL, Sr., 6-6, 365); X'Zaevion Gibson (ATH, Sr.); Bo Jones (OL, Sr., 6-1, 255); Dreyson Lally (DE, Sr., 6-5, 230); John'l Lawson (RB, Sr., 5-9, 175); Ezekiel Powell (RB, Jr., 5-10, 180); Marvion Wallace (DB, Sr., 5-9, 145).
Outlook: After a first-place run in the consolation Florida Invitational Tournament, Fort White returns most of its
offensive weapons including Lawson (864 yards rushing, 10 TD) and Gibson (396 yards receiving, 6 TD). The demise of the Rural class for football leaves Fort White in a new, geographically large district against Madison County and Taylor County.
DISTRICT 5-1A
IMPACT CHRISTIAN
Head coach: R.J. Boyd, first year; second year overall (4-7).
Last year: 8-4; lost to University Christian 28-6 in Region 1-1A semifinal.
Key returners: Dedric Autman (RB/LB, Sr., 6-0, 220); Jaysen Jean-Simon (DB, Jr., 5-10, 160).
Key newcomers: Iain Dempster (WR, Jr., 6-1, 166); Lyndon Dunham Jr. (WR/NT, Jr., 6-4, 185); Eric Wright (WR/CB, Sr., 5-8, 150); Zack Haliuk (RB/LB, Jr., 6-0, 202).
Outlook: Boyd acknowledges it's been a hectic summer since taking over in late June and adjusting to multiple transfer departures, but he said the team is trending upward and ready to unleash a "super-aggressive" defense. They'll rely on athletic players on the outside to spread the field to overcome a lack of experience on the line. Dunham, arriving from Mississippi, will be a difficult matchup.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
![Trinity Christian quarterback Terel Dallas (2) breaks tackles in the first quarter. The Fletcher Senators (6-3), hosted the Trinity Christian Conquerors (5-4) at Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, October 30, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/31/NFTU/86999231007-trinity-christian-fletcherhighschoolfootball-012.JPG)
Head coach: Verlon Dorminey, 36th year (345-95).
Last year: 9-5; lost to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 35-0 in Class 1A state semifinal.
Key returners: Micah Anderson (RB, So., 5-8, 175); Terel Dallas Jr. (QB, Jr., 6-1, 185); Za'khari Greene (CB, Jr., 6-2, 160); Terrell Pinkney II (LB, Sr., 6-3, 195); Reagan Stephens (OL, Sr., 6-2, 300); William Striglers (LB, Jr., 6-2, 227); Adrian Williams (DT, Sr., 6-3, 295); David Wright (WR, Sr., 6-0, 175); Hicks Zarah (QB, Sr., 6-0, 220).
Key newcomers: Christian Washington (S, Jr., 6-0, 185)
Outlook: The pieces are in place for a deep run at Trinity. That means the dynamic talents of Williams and a now-healthy Pinkney on the defensive side the ball, the explosiveness of Anderson in the backfield and the combined skills of Dallas and Zarah in the team's two-quarterback system. If they shake off the early-season turnover woes of 2026, the Conquerors could march into December.
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN
Head coach: David Penland III, 16th year (135-54).
Last year: 9-4; lost to Trinity Christian 27-12 in Region 1-1A final.
Key returners: Uriah Caguimbal (LB, Sr., 5-10, 210); Gavin Craig (DE, Sr., 5-10, 200); Zion Davis (DB, Sr., 5-11, 190); Dometrius Devoe (OL/DT, Sr. 6-0, 250); Kael Gunter (S, Sr., 6-1, 190); Matthew Hammett (LB, Sr., 6-2, 210);Julius LaRosa III (DT, Sr., 6-1, 280); Harrison Leddy (QB, Sr., 6-0, 170); Geedarious Thomas (DT, So., 6-1, 260); Jacoby Walker (WR, So., 5-8, 165).
Key newcomers: Jake Contner (DB, Sr., 6-3, 180); Kyree Wilson (ATH, Sr., 6-0, 190); Connor Winn (TE, Sr., 6-3, 235).
Outlook: This defense looks like a monster against the run, particularly with the up-the-middle pair of N.C. State commit LaRosa and excellent rising sophomore Thomas. UC's traditional power running game isn't going away, especially with power back Wilson available to carry the ball, but Leddy provides a solid passing arm that gives this team a chance at a deep postseason push.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Three-way battle in 1A football district. Which Jacksonville team wins?
