Complete Week 3 Gainesville area FHSAA high school football schedule

Week 2 of the Gainesville-area FHSAA high school football season was largely predictable, with Buchholz securing its eighth consecutive win over Gainesville High 43-6 and Hawthorne extending its winning streak to eight games by defeating Newberry 8-0. In Alachua County, Hawthorne continued its winning ways by outscoring Newberry 8-0, while local teams like Dixie County and Fort White secured crucial road victories.

The Bears, led by Andrew Thomas in his second game as head coach, narrowly defeated Trenton 22-21. Meanwhile, the Indians stunned Chiefland with a dominant 61-19 victory, marking their first two wins of the 2026 season against playoff teams from the previous year. Palatka ended Union County's winning streak with a 16-9 loss, while Bradford overcame their old coach Jamie Rodgers with a 16-9 win.

As Week 3 approaches, the schedule becomes slightly easier for some teams and more challenging for others. Hawthorne will face Hernando, a winless team, while Braden will host Zarephath, also winless. Newberry will square off against 18-time regional champion Cocoa in a Class 2A clash, while Eastside will host Buchholz at Citizens Field in an effort to secure a city title.