JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Raines Vikings’ quest for redemption will have to wait another week after their season opener against Miami Central fell through, leaving the state runner-up team with an unexpected early bye week.
The Vikings, who suffered a 41-0 loss to Miami Northwestern in December’s Class 3A state championship game, will now open their 2025 campaign in Week 2 against Sandalwood.
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“Both schools were excited about the matchup and we needed the game on both ends to see what we were at early,” Raines head coach Donovan Masline said.
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The team has spent nearly 250 days preparing for their return to the field since their December championship appearance. Their last state championship came in 2018, and they’re hungry to add a fourth championship trophy to their collection.
“State or bust,” quarterback TJ Cole said.
Cole is the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX offensive player of the year. He passed for 2,857 yards and added another 1,007 on the ground.
“Last year we had an opportunity, and this year we’re going to have the same opportunity...The coaches are putting us in good positions to be successful,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t show it off this weekend, but next weekend we’ll be back at it.”
Coach Masline ensured that his group remained “locked in” on their overall goals for the season, which requires challenging each other in practice every day.
“They’re friends outside of football, but they know once we get inside with our helmets and shoulder pads on, it’s business,” he said.
The Vikings will make their season debut under the lights against Sandalwood, marking the beginning of what they hope will be a championship campaign.
News4JAX will provide weekly behind-the-scenes coverage of the Vikings each week throughout the season.