A fairly new rivalry which began in 2011 has quickly become one of northeast Florida’s most intense high school football rivalries. Atlantic Coast won the first meeting and went on to win three of the rivalry’s first four meetings, but Mandarin has claimed the two most recent which only added fuel to this already intense rivalry.

MVP

Terrell Jones

Mandarin

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Kyle Smith

Mandarin

Smith, a quarterback, is a member of the National Honor Society and possesses a grade-point average of 3.9.

Tannor Watson

Atlantic Coast

Watson is a two-year starter at quarterback and carries a 4.4 grade-point average. He plans to pursue a career in sports medicine

HALL OF FAME

Thaddeus Boggs

Mandarin

Coach Thad Boggs is entering his twenty -third year as the Assistant Football Coach. He has been a Physics/Chemistry Teacher at Mandarin High School since 1994. Coach Boggs has coached in every Atlantic Coast Mandarin game of this great rivalry. Coach Boggs graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile and Polymer Chemistry and from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1985 with a Master of Science degree is Systems Technology. He has been a multiple year winner of the Mike Houser Award as the Gateway Conference Coach of the Year. He was the 2016 FACA Assistant Coach of the Year. He is entering his 23rd year as an Assistant Football and was a Boys Basketball Assistant Coach for 20 years. He has been married to the former Mary Catherine Martin since June 1974 and they have one daughter, Angela Nadeau who resides with her husband and grandson in Maryland.

Step Durham

Atlantic Coast

Step was a four-year starter at defensive back and helped the Stingrays to their first two wins over their rival. He was an all-conference selection and a Semper Fi All-American. Step is the current starting cornerback at Georgia Tech.

GAME SUMMARY

Mandarin put points on the board first and continued their run with another touchdown taking a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter. The Mustangs stifled numerous Atlantic Coast possessions in the second quarter as well, but the Stingrays avoided the shutout with a field goal as the first half came to a close. Mandarin struck again in the opening minutes of the third period, but a failed extra point attempt kept the Mustangs’ lead to 20-3. Atlantic Coast responded with an interception that led to a touchdown which narrowed the Mandarin lead to 20-10. The Stingrays’ defense followed suit once again with another interception, as the Atlantic Coast offense was able to convert on the turnover and cut the deficit to 20-17. As the Mustangs looked to put the game away for good, a fumble on the kickoff return gave the ball back to the Stingrays. Atlantic Coast capitalized on the opportunity with a score to take its first lead of the contest, 24-20, in the final quarter. Mandarin, however, remained calm and collected and sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run in the closing second for the 27-24 win.