MIAMI, Fla. – The Raines Vikings are heading to Miami to face Miami Northwestern Bulls in the Class 3A state championship game on Saturday night.
The 2024 Florida High School Football State Championship event will take place at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami on the campus of Florida International University at 7:30 p.m.
The Vikings, making their first title game appearance since 2018, are aiming for their fourth championship in program history.
For those who can’t make it to the game, but would like to watch, there will be an NFHS Network livestream where viewers can watch live and on-demand on any device. Those wishing to watch however will have to pay. A monthly subscription to NFHS is $11.99.
Businesses like Elevation Lounge and Legacy Lounge are going all out by decorating in Vikings colors and showing the game on every screen.
Nephi Andrews is the manager of Elevation and she’s a Raines alumna. She and general manager Carleshia Mcrae talked about why it’s important to have a watch party there.
“I’m a Raines alumnus, so I wasn’t able to travel, which I know a lot of people probably won’t be able to travel all the way to Miami to a football game and its fees associated with watching it, so we decided to have a party here just to celebrate the home team,” Andrews said.
Mcrae didn’t go to Raines but she still understands the significance.
“I’m born and raised in Duval County, so it’s absolutely important that we support our own,” Mcrae said.
They’ve added cocktails tailored to Viking alumni and fans.
“It’s just been a lot of rallying behind those boys, it’s not every year that you see something like this, and so for some of our own and some of those guys have had their own challenges to face. In addition to keeping grades up and doing everything they need to do to stay on the team and to be able to achieve such an accomplishment,” Mcrae said.
The owners of Legacy Lounge on Blanding Boulevard say nearly 300 people have RSVP’d to watch the game from their restaurant and even opened it an hour earlier than usual in anticipation of the big crowds.
One of the owners, Michael S. Jenkins Jr., said a lot of preparation went into getting ready for the big game, including having a fully stocked bar and kitchen, as well as ensuring the “best staff” was scheduled to keep everything running smoothly.
Jacksonville comedian Ranard “Lil Nut” Ross is excited.
“One thing about it is that school Raines High School, Raines Vikings they always had a great supporting cast,” Ross said. “They bring everybody to the game. It ain’t just the grandma’s, the aunties. It’s everybody.”
Ross said this is big for the school and the community.
“I’m supporting Raines because I know all of the kids on the team and plus the coaches,” Ross said. They always show me love when I come to the games and a lot of those kids play football or train with my sons so I’m just supporting them. Their parents all watch my videos and everybody just supports so it’s only right I go show my support."
RELATED: ‘The job’s not finished’: Can Raines close 2024 football season with a state title?
Businesses hosting watch parties
- Elevation Lounge - 5611 Norwood Ave. #987, Jacksonville, FL 32208
- Reserve your section by texting 904-896-1533
News4JAX is asking around to see if any businesses are having a watch party. If you know of a local business streaming this game, email DigitalTeam@wjxt.com.
Want to attend the game in person?
Tickets for the event are currently on sale and are being sold by game for an advanced purchase rate of $17, and a day of price of $20, FHSAA said. Tickets are exclusively available through GoFan and are all general admission seating. Parking lots will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled game times, with spectator gates opening 60 minutes prior to each contest. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and have their tickets accessible on their mobile device before arriving at the gate.
For additional event and venue information, click here.