Week 2 Standouts Across Northeast Florida
The second week of the high school football season brought a cascade of offensive fireworks and defensive mastery to the Jacksonville area, as teams from Sandalwood, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Joseph Academy, Ponte Vedra and West Nassau each posted decisive victories.
At Sandalwood, quarterback Jarelle Sims orchestrated a 44‑12 win over Parker, completing 71 % of his passes for 300 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for 29 yards on five carries. His counterpart on the defensive line, Christopher Dancy, recorded seven solo tackles, ten total stops, four tackles for loss and a half‑sack, underscoring the team’s balanced attack.
Episcopal School of Jacksonville’s Brayden Wessinger proved virtually untouchable, hauling in six receptions for 92 yards and three scores in a 47‑0 shutout of Englewood, a performance that left opposing secondaries scrambling for answers.
Justice Turpin, also of Episcopal, mirrored the offensive explosion with an 87.5 % completion rate, 197 passing yards and five touchdowns, adding 20 rushing yards on four carries in a high‑scoring affair.
St. Augustine’s Cash Downey contributed both arm and legs, completing two‑thirds of his throws for 214 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 29 yards and two more scores on 15 carries in a 28‑22 victory over Nease.
St. Joseph Academy’s Jack Powers was a dual threat, catching six passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns while also delivering eight tackles and four pass breakups on defense in a 41‑14 win over Geneva.
Cam Coffindaffer added a rare two‑interception game, complemented by 61 rushing yards on two carries and six receptions for 49 yards, helping the team secure a hard‑fought win.
Ponte Vedra’s Carter Sole, despite a 28‑21 loss to Bishop Kenny, posted a 62 % completion rate for 417 yards and two touchdowns, with his primary target Cade Turner catching nine passes for 158 yards and two scores.
West Nassau’s Levi Ansley exploded for 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just four carries, while Avery Griffin added 102 yards and two scores on only two rushes, highlighting a potent ground game.
Freshman Braxton Krauss contributed three sacks and two tackles for loss among his five total stops, signaling a promising defensive future.
Stanton’s Arion Moore continued his 100‑yard streak, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, marking his third such performance of the season.
Mandarin’s Shaunceze Foster Jr. piled up 112 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, averaging 7.5 yards per rush in a 50‑0 victory over Atlantic Coast.
Celebrating Excellence Through Fan Voting
Beyond the statistics, the region’s high school football culture is defined by community engagement. An Athlete of the Week voting system invites fans to recognize standout performances, ensuring that each highlight receives its own moment in the spotlight, regardless of vote totals.
The combination of explosive plays, defensive dominance and emerging talent across Sandalwood, Episcopal, St. Joseph Academy, Ponte Vedra and West Nassau illustrates why Northeast Florida remains a hotbed for high school football excellence.