Episodes

  • Nease is surging, surprising small school teams and making the turn into Week 7

    Nease is surging, surprising small school teams and making the turn into Week 7
    Oct 1 2024
    Nease has been on a tear and its 20-17 OT win over Buchholz on Monday night is further proof that the Panthers just may be the area's best team. Plus, small schools St. Joseph, Union County and Zarephath Academy are having excellent seasons and can the Raines defense turn up the pressure a little bit more. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin cover the action from Week 6 and look ahead to Week 7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • Our most surprising teams of the first half and another big change in our Super 10

    Our most surprising teams of the first half and another big change in our Super 10
    Sep 26 2024
    Hurricane Helene has shaken up Week 6 of the high school football season, but we do have some games of merit. Plus, how the surging Nease Panthers have rocketed up to state prominence under coach Collin Drafts. Plus, it's been tough to see the injuries stack up on the preseason No. 1 Mandarin Mustangs. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin cover all the bases in this week's episode of the Varsity 4 podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Do our preseason title contenders still stack up at the halfway point of the regular season?

    Do our preseason title contenders still stack up at the halfway point of the regular season?
    Sep 17 2024
    We're almost at the midway point of the high school football regular season and the heavyweights are beginning to step forward. Bradford knocked off top-ranked Mandarin to trigger a big shakeup in the Super 10. Plus, we look at our preseason candidates for state championship seasons and if we still think they're positioned to make that run. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin cover all the bases in a Week 5 edition of the Varsity 4 podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • Is Mandarin still a championship contender and the dated way of placing teams by enrollment numbers

    Is Mandarin still a championship contender and the dated way of placing teams by enrollment numbers
    Sep 9 2024
    Weather has been uncooperative early in the high school football season, with a handful of games taken off the books in Week 3. Plus, how does an injury to Mandarin QB Tramell Jones change the championship forecast for the Mustangs? And does school size really mean what it used to on the field or are student enrollment numbers a dated way of putting schools in classes? Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin cover those topics and look ahead to Week 4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Bolles-St. Augustine headlines Week 3 and a tough injury for Mandarin star QB

    Bolles-St. Augustine headlines Week 3 and a tough injury for Mandarin star QB
    Sep 4 2024
    The Varsity 4 podcast heads into Week 3 of the high school football season and we've got a headliner clash between No. 2 St. Augustine and No. 4 Bolles. Plus, a look back on some big performances, including a five-TD game for Tae'shaun Gelsey of Riverside and a tough injury to Mandarin quarterback Tramell Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Raines looks better than advertised, a new Super 10 and rushing into Week 2

    Raines looks better than advertised, a new Super 10 and rushing into Week 2
    Aug 27 2024
    It was a blockbuster opening week of the high school football season, including a tense Raines win over Bolles in a classic that turned heated from things off the field. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin recap a stellar 2024 opening week and look ahead to a big Week 2 in this episode of the Varsity 4 podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Best games in Week 1 and games we'd love to see as the high school football season kicks off

    Best games in Week 1 and games we'd love to see as the high school football season kicks off
    Aug 20 2024
    The high school football regular season is here. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin break down our top four games and list the four games that aren't scheduled this season that we'd love to see in this Varsity 4 podcast that kicks off the 2024 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Mandarin, St. Augustine, Raines, Bolles and how many area teams have legit shot at title

    Mandarin, St. Augustine, Raines, Bolles and how many area teams have legit shot at title
    Aug 13 2024
    The high school football regular season is just over a week away. Every team thinks it can win a championship but few have a realistic opportunity to win it. Justin Barney and Sponge Franklin break down the contenders and the pretenders in this episode of the Varsity 4 podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    33 mins