With playoff contenders from five counties, Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A is among Northeast Florida's most hotly-contested ahead of the Aug. 21 season kickoff. See top teams and players to watch.
DISTRICT 3-4A
COLUMBIA
Head coach: Brian Allen, 14th year, fourth year of current stint (104-48).
Last year: 9-3; lost to Choctawhatchee 27-20 in Region 1-4A semifinal.
Key returners: Kyren Caldwell (WR, Sr., 6-2, 180); Mathan Cook (K, Sr., 5-10, 165); Alfonso Curry Jr. (LB, Sr., 5-11, 205); Wesli Haywood (S, Sr., 6-2, 180); Jerome Horne (RB, Jr., 5-10, 180); Jaden McCray (DT, Sr., 6-1, 295); Mikel Morgan (DE, Jr., 6-4, 215); Jaylen Underwood (DT, Sr., 6-2, 275);
Key newcomers: Amari Green (QB, Jr., 6-1, 160); Zion Walker (ATH, Sr., 6-2, 205).
Outlook: Defense alone makes the Tigers a serious candidate in Region 1-4A. The front seven, including rapidly-rising junior edge rusher Morgan, looks fearsome from the start. Columbia's offense added summertime transfer Green, taking over behind center after former QB Xavier Collins transferred to Camden County, and he can always look for Maryland commit Caldwell as a game-changing downfield target.
RIBAULT
Head coach: Michael Hunter, third year (2-18); sixth year overall (18-27).
Last year: 1-9.
Key returners: Breon Bethea (WR/S, Sr., 5-10, 170); Ishmael Bradley (RB/LB, Sr., 5-8, 190); Daniel Green (ATH, Sr., 5-9, 215); Ja'Marre James (WR, Sr., 5-9, 145); Chase Johnson (OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 270); Jayden Mills (RB, Sr., 5-8, 155); Jalen Peters (TE/DE, Sr., 6-3, 230)
Key newcomers: Ashton Wiggins (QB, Jr., 6-2, 160).
Outlook: Searching for their first winning season since 2017, the Trojans at least can call on several multi-talented returners. Morgan State commit Peters hit double digits in sacks last year, while Bethea, Green and Mills can turn up in positions all across the field.
RIVERSIDE
Head coach: Jerrand Nesmith, first year; third year overall (14-9).
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: Tre'Veon Gelsey (WR, So., 5-11, 175); Cedric Odol (WR, Sr., 5-7, 145); Josh Roberts (DL, Sr., 6-0, 220); Audric Washington (ATH, Jr., 5-9, 160); Ronald Williams (ATH, Sr., 5-9, 180)
Key newcomers: Rasean Clark (WR, Sr., 5-9, 160); Walter Freeman (DB, Jr., 5-6, 145); Rocco Manago (QB, Sr., 6-0, 195); Malik Morrison (QB, Sr., 6-2, 205); Jayden Williams (DL, Sr.)
Outlook: It's a very different Generals team even from the start of the spring, with a new coach and several transfers arriving on McDuff Avenue from across the area. Early indications are favorable. Gelsey might soon become the latest Generals receiver prospect, and the defense showed signs of improvement in preseason with a kickoff classic shutout.
WHITE
Head coach: Lawrence Johnson, eighth year (43-32).
Last year: 9-3; lost to St. Augustine 44-12 in Region 1-4A semifinal.
Key returners: Marquice Beals (OL, Sr., 6-1, 280); King Boylston (QB, Sr., 6-1, 197); Malaki Azore-Graves (G, Sr., 5-10, 260); Johnny Duckett (DT, Sr., 6-2, 265); Rontrez Loyd (RB, Jr., 6-0, 215); King Mercer (WR, Jr., 5-10, 160); Jacquari Parks (CB, Sr., 5-11, 160); Rajon Riley (LB, Jr., 6-0, 200); Mark Shiloh (DE, Sr., 6-4, 235).
Key newcomers: Demetrice Hugger (WR, Sr., 5-8, 155); Sidney Smith IV (S, Jr., 6-0, 170).
Outlook: After scoring 537 regular-season points and returning top players at quarterback, running back and receiver, what can the Commanders do for an encore? It's not quite that straightforward: The new year brings a considerably more testing schedule. Defense, sparked by Super 11 cornerback Parks, might be the key to determining just how far the Commanders can fly in 2026.
YULEE
Head coach: Kyle Dougherty, sixth year (29-25).
Last year: 8-3; lost to West Florida 24-16 in Region 1-3A quarterfinal.
Key returners: Maddox Brooks (S, Sr., 6-0, 188); Jaison Brown (LB, Jr., 6-1, 210); Thomas Coles (OL, Sr., 5-11, 330); JJ Etienne (LB, Sr., 6-0, 205); Pete Kuhlman (WR, Sr., 6-1, 180); Sage Newberry (DL, Sr., 5-11, 219); Teagan Rebane (S, Sr., 5-10, 186); Jayden Timmon (RB, So., 5-8, 165); Tre Vazquez (ATH, Jr., 5-9, 155)
Key newcomers: Liam Hice-Jones (QB, Fr., 6-0, 210)
Outlook: Several seasoned seniors stand out on a defense that fueled the Hornets' 7-0 start last year, forcing 28 takeaways in all. Brown, who is drawing major college interest in the 2028 class, is a tackling machine with 95 stops last year. Dougherty is impressed by the Hornets' freshman class, which might see early action as Yulee takes on a more challenging schedule.
DISTRICT 4-4A
CLAY
Head coach: Jeff Gierke, second year (2-8); seventh year overall (19-41).
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: MiKiese Battle (WR/DB, Sr., 5-10, 165); Daylen Brown (WR/DB, Sr., 6-1, 180); Matt Jones (WR/S, Sr., 6-2, 170); Landon Martin (QB, Sr., 6-2, 205); Jayshawn McCloud (DL, Sr., 6-3, 250); Touni Saoud (DT, Sr., 6-3, 310); Kade Williamson (TE/LB, Sr., 6-0, 210)
Key newcomers: Eric Gentry (ATH, Sr., 6-1, 185)
Outlook: Will two quarterbacks prove better than one? The hope is that Gentry's arrival from Fleming Island will reduce the burden on quarterback Martin, who topped 1,000 yards both rushing and passing last year. Experience is a strength: Clay returns 18 starters, including several proven pass-catchers and a pass rush star in McCloud, whom Gierke calls one of the top defensive linemen in the state.
FLEMING ISLAND
Head coach: Tom MacPherson, second year (6-4); 25th year overall (110-140).
Last year: 6-4.
Key returners: Levi Cox (WR/LB, Sr., 5-10, 175); Greyson Critch (QB, Jr., 6-0, 190); Brady Digman (RB, Sr., 5-9, 180); Chase Donaldson (WR/CB, Sr., 5-9, 160); Landon Howard (FB/DT, Jr., 6-2, 250); Easton Isbell (OL/DL, Sr., 5-11, 260); Zion Longmire (RB/DT, Sr., 5-8, 185)
Key newcomers: Ryan Siliac (WR/DB, Jr., 5-11, 173)
Outlook: This is a season of change for the Golden Eagles, and MacPherson acknowledges that some Golden Eagles will likely be seeing two-way duty in 2026. Turnover is particularly heavy on the line, where Isbell is the only returning starter. They'll need some big seasons from pick-six magnet Donaldson and ground gainers Digman and Longmire.
MIDDLEBURG
Head coach: Ryan Wolfe, sixth year (30-24).
Last year: 8-3; lost to Daytona Beach Mainland 34-13 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal.
Key returners: Mark Albney (C, Sr., 6-0, 270); Kellen Blackburn (LB, Sr., 5-10, 185); Blake Mulanax (S, Sr., 6-1, 180); Darrick Marshall (S, Sr., 6-0, 170); Mason Peevy (LB, Sr., 5-10, 185); Ronell Seward (DE, Sr., 6-2, 190); Logan Tedrick (OG, Sr., 6-3, 300); C.J. Williams (WR, Jr., 5-10, 155)
Key newcomers: Daniel Mendez (G, So., 6-3, 265); Dalton Motes (QB, Jr., 6-1, 170); Ty Street (LB, Sr., 6-0, 210); Braydon Ventura (RB, Jr., 5-10, 185)
Outlook: With four consecutive playoff trips, Middleburg is firmly established as a November competitor. They've now assembled a tougher schedule with eyes on strengthening the roster for a deeper run. Motes, who saw part-time action last year, takes over behind center, and Ventura becomes the top ball carrier after averaging seven yards per carry. On defense, the Broncos' relentless linebackers lead the charge.
ORANGE PARK
Head coach: Marcus Wimberly, fifth year (13-27); 21st year overall (106-104).
Last year: 4-6.
Key returners: Jaden Fields (WR, Sr., 6-0, 165); Xzavier Jones (RB, Sr., 5-7, 170); Cale Kethman (G, Jr., 6-5, 325); Austee'n Mills (RB, Sr., 5-7, 165); Derek Page III (CB, Sr., 5-10, 165); Bryson Pinkston (LB, Sr., 6-1, 180); Julian Still (S, Sr., 5-11, 160)
Key newcomers: Aaron Little (WR, So., 6-0, 160)
Outlook: Wimberly said the Raiders have banished any "losing mentality." The next step is converting that mentality to an above-.500 season, which the Raiders haven't experienced since 2018. They'll have abundant zip from the one-two ground combination of Mills and Jones, helping to compensate for change in the passing game and on the offensive line.
RIDGEVIEW
Head coach: Jason Smith, first year.
Last year: 2-8.
Key returners: Michale Moglia (OL/DL, Jr., 6-10, 400); Jordan Mesa (QB/S, Sr., 5-11, 180); Edren Rhodes (WR/FS, Sr., 5-9, 165); Adrian Rivera (DE, Sr., 6-0, 185); Jayden Worthy (LB, Jr., 5-10, 175)
Key newcomers: Amani Blount (WR, So., 5-8, 170)
Outlook: The Panthers already made a springtime statement that things could be different in 2026, beating Crescent City 24-0 after getting outscored 378-113 in the regular season. They return one of Clay County's most elusive quarterbacks in Mesa, who ran for 398 yards as a junior, and the most physically imposing lineman in gigantic tackle Moglia. A defender to watch is Rhodes, who had six sacks and three takeaways last fall.
ST. AUGUSTINE
Head coach: Brian Braddock, 11th year (92-29); 14th year overall (115-39).
Last year: 11-2; lost to Choctawhatchee 31-28 in Region 1-4A final.
Key returners: Mason Beane (LB, Jr., 5-11, 200); Christian Bond (OL, Sr., 6-6, 310); Rashard Farrell Jr. (OT, Sr., 6-2, 260); Markeal Logan (DL, Sr., 6-3, 245); Bo Medlock (DB, Jr., 5-9, 160); Nate Preston (RB, Sr., 5-10, 160); Ma'kari Spencer (DB, Sr., 5-11, 165); Damien Spivey (DL, Sr., 5-9, 238); Kaleb Stehr (TE, Sr., 6-3, 230); Brandon Whitfield Jr. (S, Jr., 6-0, 190)
Key newcomers: Cash Downey (QB, Sr., 6-2, 190); Jake Fischer (K, Sr., 6-1, 185)
Outlook: After a few years of wide-open passing football, St. Augustine may lean more on its defense in 2026. That unit, including a prolific tackler in Beane and a crushing one in Whitfield, is growing up rapidly. But nobody should overlook the Jackets' offense, fueled by a potential 1,000-yard back in Preston. Until somebody demonstrates otherwise, they're the district favorite and a final-four contender.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Columbia, Ed White, St. Augustine and more. Who wins in Class 4A?
