JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – TJ Cole rewrote the passing record book at Raines and flirted with records set by some of the area’s quarterback greats.
As good as the individual success was — and it was very, very good — Cole, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX offensive player of the year, says the job for the Vikings is not yet finished. The junior at Raines said he’s grateful for the numbers he put up both passing and rushing, but makes clear that he’s after way more than just stats.
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“Definitely want to win a state championship,” Cole said. “That’s the main goal. Finish the mission this year.”
RELATED: ‘Big Cat’ Jyon Simon leads Raines and Varsity 4 defensive team
Cole had a season for the books.
He passed for 2,857 yards and added another 1,007 on the ground. Cole racked up 52 total touchdowns and led the Vikings to a 13-0 start before a tough finish against Miami Northwestern in the Class 3A state championship game ended their quest for the perfect season. It was that stinging finish that Cole said Raines will carry into the offseason and look for ways to get better at so that it can finish the job in 2025.
“It was a great experience … not the experience we wanted to end with but just coming in, the season by itself, it was great,” Cole said. “We definitely got a good taste of the championship game. ... we know what we did wrong. We know what we messed up. So now, we just got to come [back] here, rewatch the film, rewatch more film, get bigger, get stronger, get faster, get more physical, stay disciplined.”
Cole’s season was one of the best in area history. His torrid start carried through 13 weeks of the season, with Cole throwing 43 touchdown passes and rushing for nine more.
That prolific passing pace put him on path towards the area’s single-season passing mark, and put Cole in the conversation with passers like Tim Tebow and De’Andre Johnson. Tebow threw 46 touchdown passes during his historic junior season in 2004. Johnson tossed an area-best 47 touchdown passes in his final season in 2014. Both players went on to win the Mr. Football award, Tebow as a senior in 2005 and Johnson in his senior season, too.
“You know, 43 touchdowns is a lot of touchdowns, and just coming close to that Tim Tebow’s record and De’Andre Johnson’s record, it was it was an honor,” Cole said.
Raines had potential entering the 2024 season, but it still had questions. The Vikings had significant talent returning from the 10-2 team in 2023, but it had to meld its bevy of newcomers with its talented returnees. Head coach Donovan Masline and the Raines coaching staff spent spring working overtime to get all those faces to click. Cole was one of the newcomers, transferring from Ribault to step in to the quarterback role. Cole mentioned how important the spring season was for the Vikings, and said that’s when the coaching staff got players to believe that they could do something special.
“I’m going to keep going back to the spring and summer. Them workouts we we’re doing, workouts were crazy,” he said. “We’ve got a motto that just said, ‘what would you do when adversity hits?’ And we stuck by that motto this whole season.”
Raines had a slugfest against Bolles in Week 1, but pulled away for a 32-23 win. Its next bit of adversity came in the state semifinal against Sarasota Booker. Raines trailed 23-14 at half before roaring back for a 28-23 win.
“A lot of us knew each other since we were kids playing, growing up, playing with each other,” Cole said. “Just having that connection as kids, it was good just coming in and gelling with them on the same team as high school teammates.”
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX players of the year
2024: TJ Cole, Raines (offensive); Jyon Simon, Raines (defensive)
2023: Laython Biddle, Bartram Trail (offensive); Drake Stubbs, Mandarin (defensive).
2022: Orel Gray, University Christian (offensive); Grayson Howard, Jackson (defensive).
2021: Dom Henry, Nease (offensive); Jaheim Singletary, Riverside (defensive).
2020: Jadon Canady, Sandalwood.
2019: Myles Montgomery, Fletcher (offensive); Trevez Johnson, Bartram Trail (defensive).
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX football offense
Position, Player, School, Class, Notable
QB Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine, Sr.
Passed for 2,910 yards, 31 TDs, 9 INTs to help lead Yellow Jackets to 4A state semifinals. One of best passers in St. Johns County history (492 of 781, 7,917 yards, 78 TDs, 22 INT). USF signee.
RB Brian Case, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
Rushed for 1,563 yards, 20 TDs as Sharks stormed to the regional final. Had 140 receiving yards, 2 TDs. Finished with 3,305 rushing yards, 47 TDs in three seasons.
RB Chris “Deuce” Foy II, Oakleaf, Sr.
Heart of the Knights ground attack. Rushed for 1,301 yards, 12 TDs on 138 carries and averaged a whopping 9.4 ypc. Rushed for 2,349 yards in his career (Jackson at Oakleaf) and scored 19 TDs.
RB Arthur Lewis IV, Bartram Trail, Jr.
A home run threat each time he touches the ball. Rushed for 1,666 yards on 149 carries, leading the area in YPC (11.2) and TDs (21).
TE Tae’shaun Gelsey, Riverside, Sr.
Top receiver mentioned by area coaches. Had 875 yards receiving, 14 TDs on 61 catches. Finished career as program record holder with 2,250 receiving yards on 143 catches, 28 TDs. Florida State signee.
WR Trace Burney, Fleming Island, Jr.
Breakout season for the big play wideout. Had 69 catches for 1,158 yards, area-best 17 TDs as Golden Eagles reached the regional finals. Up to 1,791 yards, 25 TDs in career.
WR Naeem Burroughs, Bolles, Jr.
Missed a couple games due to injury but led Bulldogs in receiving. Had 33 catches for 829 yards, 12 TDs. Returned a kickoff for a TD. Up for 2,507 receiving yards, 34 TD catches in three seasons.
WR Somourian Wingo, St. Augustine, Jr.
Had 1,040 receiving yards on 62 catches, 12 TDs during run to the Class 4A state semifinals. Has 1,571 receiving yards, 18 TDs catches on 91 receptions in two seasons.
OL Cole Anderson, Creekside, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Air Force signee. Graded out at 90% for one of area’s most consistent offenses.
OL Reggie Houston, Oakleaf, Sr.
Allowed just three sacks on an offense that racked up more than 6,000 yards. Team-best 96 pancake blocks. Wofford signee.
OL Zach Marshall, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Three-year starter and two-time All-News4JAX first-team selection. Graded out at 97%.
OL TK Muex, Fletcher, Sr.
Second team All-News4JAX selection last year. Committed to Florida International. Graded out at 87% in a season where he battled an ankle injury.
OL JJ Sparks, Bolles, Jr.
Left guard was second team All-News4JAX selection last year. Led team with 95% grade and 64 knockdowns.
K Alexander Hillyard, Episcopal, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection and runaway choice as area’s best kicker by local coaches. Hit 13 of 14 field goals with a long of 52. Was 21 of 22 on PATs. Went 26 of 29 in his career on FGs.
ATH Cibastian Broughton, Fleming Island, Sr.
Dual threat QB passed for 1,949 yards, 21 TDs, rushed for 943 yards, 13 TDs as Golden Eagles reached the regional finals. Passed for 6,394 yards and rushed for 3,206 in his career, racking up 104 total TDs.
ATH T.J. Cole, Raines, Jr.
All-News4JAX Varsity 4 Offensive Player of the Year was true dual-threat gamebreaker. Passed for 2,857 yards, 43 TDs (8 INTs) and rushed for 1,007 yards (9 TDs) to lead Vikings to 13-1 season and 3A title game. Has passed for 6,041 yards, 65 TDs (16 INTs), rushed for 1,489 yards on 221 carries, 15 TDs in three seasons.
ATH Trenton Jones, St. Augustine, Sr.
Had 71 catches for 1,134 yards, 11 TDs. Second-team All-News4JAX selection last year. Rushed for 103 yards, TD. Returned two kickoffs for TDs. Finished career with 2,705 receiving yards, 21 TDs. Mercer signee.
Second team
Position, Player, School, Class, Notable
QB Jack McKissock, Oakleaf, Jr.
Excellent first year in town. Passed for 3,163 yards, 31 TDs (and just 4 INTs) to lead Knights to the Region 1-6A final. Added 221 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
QB Eddie Jordan, Beachside, Jr.
Passed for 2,866 yards, 27 TDs (6 INTs) to lead Barracudas to first playoff appearance. Completed 65% of his passes. Rushed for 254 yards, 7 TDs. Has thrown for 5,403 yards, 62 TDs in two seasons.
RB Harrison Garrido, Creekside, Sr.
Two-year star for the Knights. Rushed for 1,347 yards, 16 TDs on 196 carries to help lead Knights to first district title in school history.
RB Demhir Jackson, Fleming Island, Sr.
Rushed for 1,303 yards, 14 TDs on 148 carries (8.8 ypc) as Golden Eagles reached regional finals.
TE Corbyn Fordham, Bolles, Jr.
Ohio State commit who had 4 TDs and 234 yards on 23 catches for 2A regional finalist.
WR Deandre Caldwell, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Tough season for the Bears but he was a bright spot. Had 1,027 receiving yards, 8 TDs on 52 catches. Set Bartram’s single-season receiving record this year.
WR Maddox Spencer, Nease, Sr.
Multi-year star for the Panthers. Had 60 catches for 976 yards, 12 TDs. Finished career with 3,057 yards, 34 TDs. West Florida commit.
WR Adron Walker, Raines, Sr.
Had 787 receiving yards on 45 catches and Gateway Conference-high 16 TDs. Had 1,655 receiving yards, 28 TDs in three seasons (sophomore, junior years at First Coast).
OL Jacob Ferguson, Bradford, Sr.
Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year. Old Dominion signee who was anchor of Tornadoes line throughout his career.
OL Steven Franklin, Fleming Island, Sr.
Could play both tackle positions and helped pave the way for an offense that racked up nearly 5,000 yards in run to regional finals.
OL Tarvarian Keenon, St. Augustine, Jr.
Top lineman for the Yellow Jackets and their most consistent blocker. Can play tackle or guard.
OL Ryan Ingram, Bolles, Jr.
Powerful Bulldogs right guard graded out at 88% with 35 pancake blocks.
OL Solomon Thomas, Raines, Sr.
Talent-wise the interior OL is an undisputed first-teamer, but injuries limited him this season to eight games. LSU signee is first five-star in Raines history.
K Owen Carey, Beachside, Jr.
Kohl’s five-star kicker hit 8 of 12 of his field goal attempts, and nailed 40 of 41 PATs for third-year Barracudas. Had long of 47 yards.
ATH Jenoa Alford, University Christian, Sr.
Versatile star for the Christians who bounced back from injury to catch 62 passes for 945 yards, 7 TDs. Had 695 return yards and a couple TDs. Added 150 rushing yards, 4 TDs. Also had an interception on defense.
ATH JP Donovan, Bishop Kenny, Sr.
Had 1,212 all-purpose yards, with the bulk of that (802) coming as a receiver. Had 51 catches and 14 TDs. Added 300 yards on returns and rushed for 110 yards and a TD. Caught six TDs in the playoffs.
ATH Mason Williams, Providence, Sr.
Healthy after a tough finish to junior season, he led Stallions to the top seed in Region 1-1A. Passed for 2,285 yards and 27 TDs (just 3 INTs). Rushed for 1,029 yards and 17 TDs and averaged 9.2 ypc. Finished career with 3,763 passing yards, 36 TDs and 2,031 rushing yards, 26 TDs.
Third team
Position, Player, School, Class, Notable
QB Nate Harry, Nease, Sr.
Leader of Panthers team that went unbeaten in the regular season. Passed for 2,224 yards, 26 TDs and just 5 INT. Rushed for 393 yards, 6 TDs.
RB Caleb Mattison, Bishop Kenny, So.
Rushed for 1,316 yards, 16 TDs for 9-4 Crusaders. Added 119 yards, TD on 9 receptions. Boosted rushing output by 502 yards, 9 TDs from freshman to sophomore season. Has 2,130 yards, 23 TDs on 381 carries.
RB Marcus Mitchell, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.
Rushed for 1,749 yards on 243 carries (7.2 ypc) and scored 16 TDs for the 9-2 Bulldogs. Added 210 yards receiving and a TD. One of the best backs in FPC history (4,570 rushing yards on 655 carries, 7 ypc, 42 TDs).
RB Drew Simmons, Union County, So.
Breakout season for a very good back. Averaged 9 ypc and rushed for 1,444 yards, 17 TDs for 10-2 Tigers. Had 203 yards receiving, 3 TDs on 10 catches.
TE Roman Caliendo, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.
Had 46 catches for 736 yards, 4 TDs as Bulldogs went 9-2 and reached the playoffs.
WR Kelvin Brown, Baldwin, Jr.
Nearly doubled his production from sophomore season. Boosted receiving total from 421 yards and 2 TDs to 825 yards and 12 TDs. Averaged 19.6 ypc.
WR Jaime Ffrench Jr., Mandarin, Sr.
Elite receiver whose numbers (35 catches, 621 yards, 2 TDs) don’t show his talent. Injuries hurt in his final season, but he’s a five-star player bound for Texas. Adidas All-American selection.
WR Carlos Witherup, Oakleaf, Sr.
Had 52 catches for 844 yards, 9 TDs as the Knights reached the regional finals for just the second time. Had 365 yards on returns and a rushing TD.
OL Chris Jules, Oakleaf, Jr.
Junior leader of the Knights line. Had 79 pancake blocks and allowed just 5 sacks. Two-way player who had 73 tackles, 7 TFL and 4 sacks while playing defense.
OL Brody McLoed, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
The 6-4, 280-pounder graded out at 96% with 42 pancake blocks and didn’t allow a sack.
OL Kevin Reyes, Fleming Island, Sr.
Center was talented enough to play fullback and on defensive line as well.
OL Brandon Strout, Nease, Sr.
Offensive captain for the 10-1 Panthers. Graded out over 90% for an offense that averaged more than 370 ypg. Has committed to Florida Southern for lacrosse.
OL Judd Terry, University Christian, Sr.
UC loved to run right at teams and he was a major blocking presence. Also a two-way player, he had 50 tackles, 15 TFL, 11 sacks and a defensive TD.
K Parker Sirdevan, Fleming Island, Jr.
Went 8 of 11 on field goal chances with a long of 43. Went 51 of 55 on PATs and handled punting chores with a 33.5-yard average. Rated as a four-star kicker by Kohl’s.
ATH Sean Ashenfelder, Creekside, Sr.
Passed for 1,947 yards, 11 TDs. Did more damage as a runner with 614 yards and 17 TDs to lead Knights to first district title. Signed with Rutgers.
ATH Hayden Hayes, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.
Breakout season. Accounted for 47 TDs (3,524 passing yards, 40 TDs, 511 rushing yards, 7 TDs) for 9-2 Bulldogs.
ATH Tony Kennedy, Parker, Jr.
Breakout season for Braves QB. He rushed for 1,666 yards and 18 TDs and passed for 1,444 yards, 13 TDs.
Honorable mention
Quarterback
King Boylston, White, So.; Xavier Collins, Columbia, So.; Ethan Drumm, Bolles, Sr.; Derek Heideman, Bishop Kenny, Sr.; Ty Keister, Englewood, So.; Ryan Killmer, Tocoi Creek, Sr.; Tommy Offord, Palatka, Jr.; Drew Price, Ponte Vedra, Sr.; Gage Screws, Baldwin, Jr.; Carson Stewart, Middleburg, Sr.
Running back
Gino Addison, Bradford, Jr.; Trendell Anderson, St. Augustine, Jr.; Josh Bruton, University Christian, Sr.; Shermon Davis, Riverside, Sr.; Shaunqueze Foster, Mandarin, So.; Vincent Galella, Tocoi Creek, Jr.; Shamar Gibbs, Yulee, Jr.; Jerome Horne, Columbia, Fr.; Nashawn Jacobs, Baldwin, Jr.; Rontrez Loyd, White, Fr.; Ty Neal, Bolles, Sr.; KJ Perry, Nease, Sr.; Lavaris Roberts, Clay, Sr.; Yerawn Smith, Englewood, Jr.; Ta’darius Washington, Raines, Jr.; Deion Winstead, Mandarin, Sr.; KJ Wright, Palatka, So.
Receiver
Jack Berquist, Ponte Vedra, Jr.; Ziyon Butler, Raines, Jr.; Antwan Campbell, Englewood, Sr.; Michael Conner III, Oakleaf, So.; Bynton Edge, Columbia, Sr.; Brayden Felder, Nease, Jr.; Landon Francis, White, Sr.; Marquez Hicks, Trinity Christian, So.; Hudson Hodges, Baker County, So.; Maddox Hunstad, Beachside, Jr.; Carl Jenkins Jr., St. Augustine, Sr.; Zamarrion Jones, Columbia, Sr.; Myles Kendrick, Riverside, Sr.; Sidonie Limehouse, Parker, Jr.; Nick Roberson, White, Sr.; Julio Santiago, Tocoi Creek, Jr.; Diondre Smith, Fletcher, Jr.; Kaleb Taylor-Burch, Creekside, Sr.; Antonio Thomas, Clay, Sr.; Jeremiah Thomas, Ribault, Sr.; Jaiden Tomlin, Parker, Jr.; Drew Watson, Beachside, Jr.; Brayden Wessinger, Episcopal, So.; Brysen Wright, Mandarin, Fr.; Mikhail Zysek, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.
Offensive line
Jayden Adams, Oakleaf, Jr.; Jordyn Bell, Atlantic Coast, Sr.; Deshawn Blackmon, Tocoi Creek, Sr.; Christian Bond, Menendez, So.; Colin Butler, Ponte Vedra, Jr.; Kristian Campbell, First Coast, Sr.; Austin Candler, Mandarin, Sr.; Roy Farrow, Jackson, Jr.; Keith Forbes, Englewood, Sr.; Kyren Green, Bradford, Jr.; Jeremiah Hamilton, Orange Park, Sr.; Syon Hawkins, Raines, Sr.; Myles Hay, Mandarin, Sr.; Jimmy Huck, Bartram Trail, Sr.; Chase Johnson, Columbia, Sr.; Reid Koelbel, Bolles, Jr.; Charles Little, Middleburg, Sr.; Nick Nuualiitia, Providence, Jr.; Anthony Prevalon, Providence, Sr.; Gethin Pritchard, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.; Nick Spicer, Bartram Trail, Sr.; Isiah Stiggons, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.; Carter Trobaugh, Episcopal, Sr.; Adrian Williams, Trinity Christian, So.; John Williams, White, Sr.
Tight end
James Davis III, Bishop Kenny, Jr.; Zander Erasmus, Tocoi Creek, Sr.; Lenox Hires, Trinity Christian, Sr.
Specialists
Brock Boatright, Baker County, Jr.; Maxwell Eyjolfsson, Fort White, Jr.; Aiden Graves, First Coast, Sr.; Andrew McDaid, Oakleaf, Sr.; Luke Stenson, Bolles, Sr.