Jacksonville Raines Stuns Northwestern

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MIAMI – </strong>Football fans had doubted Jacksonville Raines all season, but that changed on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the 3A state finals against nationally rated Miami Northwestern for the second straight year, head coach <strong>Donovan Masline</strong>, a Raines graduate, and his Vikings were underdogs, and after last season's 41-0 domination, nobody – even many fans from Duval County – were giving this team any chance of knocking off the unbeaten Bulls, but when <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1581890' first='Ta'darius' last='Washington']</strong> grabbed a 17-yard pass from Florida A&amp;M-bound senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928381' first='Timothy' last='Cole II']</strong> with just :10 left, the comeback had been complete and those who felt that the 14-0 Vikings were no match for 13-1 Northwestern, suddenly were at a loss for words. The scoreboard told the entire story: <strong>JACKSONVILLE RAINES 23, MIAMI NORTHWESTERN 22!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have believed in this team all season, and knew after last year's loss that we were a much better football program than we showed,” Masline said. “There were a lot of critics all year, but we worked hard in the off season and it all paid off tonight. Cannot tell you how proud I am of this team and our fans for never stop believing.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That fourth quarter certainly proved to be one of the most thrilling of the season for the Vikings, rallying from a 16-7 deficit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final three minutes was a back-and-fourth affair with three lead changes. Trailing 16-10, Raines scored with just 2:33 remaining on the clock to go up 17-16 only to give up a big pass play and see Northwestern score about 40 seconds later to regain the lead at 22-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls initially kicked the PAT, but with two penalties on the play, they were given a second opportunity from within the 1-yard line. A 2-point attempt failed, giving the Vikings the chance to win it with a touchdown. They made the most of the opportunity, driving down the field and converting a 4th-and-10 along the way before scoring a touchdown with just 10 seconds remaining on the clock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half saw mistakes and big defensive plays keep the game at 3-0 Northwestern when junior kicker <strong>Alex Lima </strong>connected from 24 yards out with 6:19 left in the opening quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls held the total yardage advantage, 178-125 at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls extended the lead to 6-0 on a 25-yard field goal by Lima with 8:29 left in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just as the Bulls were moving in to extend the lead, the Vikings came up with an interception by junior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='900786' first='Johdeem' last='Jones']</strong> who returned it 90 yards to the Northwestern three. He then fumbled into the endzone where his teammate <strong>Mihkel Smith-York</strong> recovered for a 7-6 lead with 6:11 left in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls regained the lead, 9-7, at the 3:04 mark of the third quarter on a 35-yard field goal by Lima.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206215' first='Calvin' last='Russell'] Jr.</strong> took the direct snap and took it in from the one with 10:27 left in the fourth quarter, Northwestern pushed the lead to 16-7. That's when things started to turn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raines got back on the board with 7:12 remaining when junior kicker <strong>Dan Duaong</strong> hit from 36 yards to cut the lead back to 16-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings took their first lead of the game with 2:38 left when Cole ran it in from the nine. Duong's point after gave them the 17-16 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls came right back for the winning drive when sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425515' first='Neimann' last='Lawrence']</strong> found <strong>Nicholas Lennear </strong>from 62 yards out. It was a two-play 87-yard drive that appeared to seal it for the Bulls, 22-17, but the drama was not done for Raines!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NUMBERS SPEAK VOLUMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Vikings were lead by Cole, who finished the night 12 of 24 for 149 yards and that one HUGE touchdown pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington carried 13 times for 59 yards, <strong>Tisean Haynes</strong> (9-52) and Cole (13-50).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1793522' first='Kelvin' last='Brown'] Jr.</strong> caught four balls for 40 yards, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='899818' first='Kiran' last='Jackson']</strong> (2-35) and Washington, who caught the game winner, ended with two receptions for 28 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, the Vikings were led by <strong>Charles Dawston</strong> with seven tackles, and <strong>Travis Williams</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='900786' first='Johdeem' last='Jones']</strong> with with five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Northwestern, Lawrence showed why he is one of the best in the nation, completing 25 balls for 381 yards and a touchdown, but he had two interceptions and was sacked twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Travail Mathis</strong> led the way with 46 yards on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly publicized receiving corps didn't disappoint. Russell caught eight balls for 136 yards, Lennear (6-135) and FAU signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1800169' first='Nicsaint' last='Joseph'] Jr.</strong> (4-52).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls' stingy defense was led by <strong>Desmon Johnson</strong> (11 tackles), <strong>Demarcus King</strong> <strong>Jr.</strong> (5 tackles and 2 sacks).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RAINES VIKINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Sandalwood, W 77-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Trinity Christian, W 48-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mary, W 51-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Riverside, W 49-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Ribault, W 53-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madison County, W 27-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Johns Creekside, W</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yulee, W 58-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Atlantic Coast, W 57-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glen St. Mary Baker County, W 43-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pensacola West Florida, W 54-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville Bishop Kenny, W 61-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarasota Booker, W 28-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTHWESTERN BULLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orange Lutheran, California, W Forfeit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Carol City, W 37-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Norland, W 49-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Christopher Columbus, W 41-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Jackson, W Forfeit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Central, W 30-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key West, W 56-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Palmetto, W 28-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami St. Brendan, W 49-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 70-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key West, W 56-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami Central, W 50-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orlando Bishop Moore, W 52-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida ">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida </a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->