JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The landscape of independent football in Northeast Florida has shifted at the peak of the rankings as the regular season enters its final stretch. For the first time this season, Episcopal has ascended to the No. 1 spot in the News4JAX Super 6 rankings, ending the lengthy reign of West Nassau.
Episcopal (9-0) enters the final week of the regular season with an unblemished record, fresh off a dominant 68-0 shutout victory over Eagle’s View. The Eagles are now within reach of only their second undefeated regular season in program history—a feat the school hasn’t accomplished since 2002. While the Eagles have been lauded for their clinical demolition of opponents, their path to perfection faces a stern test this Friday when they host a battle-tested Fernandina Beach squad.
The shift in the top spot comes as West Nassau (6-2-1) falls to No. 2 following a difficult 24-19 loss to Jackson. Despite the slide, observers remain hesitant to write off the Warriors, noting that their strength of schedule has been significantly more demanding than their peers. Coaches expect the Warriors to find their footing quickly as they prepare for a deep run in the SSAA state playoffs.
Rounding out the top tier, Paxon (7-2) remains firmly at No. 3 after a 50-0 thrashing of Keystone Heights. The Golden Eagles are looking to finalize an eight-win season this week against a formidable Union County team. Christ’s Church (8-1) holds the fourth position, fueled by the explosive play of running back Jaylin Robinson. The Eagles have been putting up massive point totals and are clearly positioned as a top contender for the state playoffs.
Hilliard (8-0) climbed to the No. 5 spot this week. The Red Flashes continue to be defined by the relentless ground attack of star running back DJ Alderman, who has racked up 1,765 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Hilliard looks to maintain its perfect record this Friday on the road against Cornerstone Classical.
Fernandina Beach (3-6) makes its debut in the Super 6 at No. 6. Though their record may seem modest, the Pirates have faced one of the toughest slates in the region, with nearly all their losses coming against state-series caliber programs. Their win over Union County earlier this month served as the tie-breaker to edge them into the rankings.
With Stanton dropping out following a narrow 22-20 loss to KIPP Bold City, the competition for post-season positioning is tightening. As teams across the region prepare for Friday’s action, all eyes will be on Episcopal’s final test of the regular season, marking a pivotal moment in an already electric year for independent football.
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