The results are in.
Mandarin senior Jace Kemp is the new Florida Times-Union Boys Athlete of the Week for Northeast Florida high school sports for the 2026-27 season, covering the week of Oct. 5-10 in the Jacksonville area.
He gained 129 yards with two touchdown receptions to help Mandarin football win 34-10 against Ponte Vedra in a District 2-5A football matchup.
For the year, Kemp has caught 18 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns. He is also a two-time Florida High School Athletic Association track and field finalist in the 400 meters.
He placed first in a vote of top Northeast Florida performers that included Derrick Brown (White football), Sam Chenoweth (Fernandina Beach golf), Cam Coffindaffer (St. Joseph football), Lukas Morrell (Bishop
Kenny swimming), Elijah Parkinson (St. Augustine cross-country) and Reed Rion (Peniel Baptist cross-country).
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This week's Boys Athlete of the Week vote
![Mandarin wide receiver Jace Kemp, pictured on Sept. 18, 2026 against Raines, was voted the Boys Athlete of the Week. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/10/16/NFTU/92285256007-091826-j-kemp.JPG)
It's time to vote for Florida Times-Union's boys High School Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 12-17.
The Times-Union gathers nominees from scores, stats and nominations e-mailed to the sports desk during the week by coaches across Northeast Florida. Coaches can e-mail these stats and scores to preps@jacksonville.com. Deadline to receive nominations is 7 p.m. Saturdays.
This week's voting begins Monday and closes at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Votes are restricted to once per device per hour. Vote at jacksonville.com/sports.
We reserve the right to disqualify a candidate or declare a vote "no contest" if tampering such as bots or offering to pay for voting is evident. Please respect the integrity of the vote the way these athletes respect the integrity of the game.
Mason Baldwin, Fletcher swimming
The senior won the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke in the Senators' repeat Gateway Conference championship.
Melvin DuClos, KIPP Bold City football
The junior recovered two fumbles and returned a special-teams turnover for a touchdown in the Greyhounds' 22-20 win over Stanton.
Za'khari Greene, Trinity Christian football
The junior intercepted two passes in a 20-17 overtime victory against Bolles.
Luke Ross, Ponte Vedra cross-country
The senior ran 15:10, trimming 20 seconds from his personal best, placing eighth to lead locals at the New World Fall Spectacular.
Cole Spice, Atlantic Coast golf
The senior shot a 36 to earn medalist honors in a dual match with Harvest Community.
Michael Tarzia, Fernandina Beach swimming
The sophomore won the 200 and 500-yard freestyle and a relay to lead the Pirates in the Nassau County Championship.
Tremayne Tukes, Old Plank Christian football
The senior gained 415 all-purpose yards with four touchdowns (three rushes, one return) as the Defenders defeated Bishop Snyder 52-13.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: VOTE: Times-Union High School Boys Athlete of the Week, Oct. 19
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