Raines Wins Showdown!! Defeats Bolles 34-8 to Advance to the Semifinals

The game of the century has been brewing all season. From the moment spring football started this year, besides Raines versus Ribault the Raines versus Bolles playoff rematch would dominate the focus of both the Vikings and the Bolles bulldogs. Everyone knew the regular seasonĀ game would be simply an appetizer to the entree that was the playoff match up in the second round.

 

Raines jumped out to an early 8-0 lead after the defense flustered Bolles with pressure and plays. Bolles was forced to call three time outs in the first quarter. Dalvin Storey scored for Raines and the two point conversion was good. Bolles would get back into the game on special teams, when Raines fumble the punt and it was recovered by the Bulldogs. #5 E.J Porter took the run 50yds for the touchdown to get back in the game. The conversion was good and the game was tied 8-8.

In a game of chess, Bolles and Raines traded series attempting to get the upper hand. And just as in chess one person made the wrong move, and it was QB Mac Jones of Bolles. Jones threw an interception to #26 Malik Goodman. Michael Pinckney also victimized Jones earlier in the game. The turnover rattled the Bulldog confidence allowing #5 Willie Wright for Raines to get a big punt return 40 yards to the Bolles 5 yard line. Al Rutledge #5 RB would punch it in for Raines to put Raines up 15-8.

Rutledge would be a force in the game on the ground. In the second half his big run set up Raine’s next score, a touchdown pass from QB Augie Debiase to #2 WR Ronald Patterson.

With the score 21-8 Bolles was forced to go to the air, something they are not comfortable doing consistently. This set up opportunities for Raines to put pressure on Jones. The Vikings defense sacked Jones on this drive stopping the scoring opportunity.

Augie Debiase was able to use his legs to score in this game as well. He scrambled 50 yards for a touchdown to put the heat on Bolles late in the 2nd half. (27-8) Bolles would succumb to the heat and be forced out the kitchen. They threw two interceptions one to #1 Bishop Bonnett and another to #24 Deontre Hall of Raines to end what was a nightmare of an evening for them. Raines would add another touchdown to win the game 34-8 and spark the celebration at the grave yard!

Bolles ends a great season to which they played some of the toughest competition in the state. They seemed to fizzle out after a long hard run playing against the baddest teams the state had to offer. They proved they were one of those good teams. But the Raines Vikings exercised their daemons at the grave yard after finally defeating Bolles in the playoffs. They dominated the affair and lived up to the hype that many expect the Vikings to have this year. But they must keep it going. They will play Sante Fe next week in the semifinal round of the 4A playoffs, and a win there will put them in State Championships with the opportunity to bring a title home for a public school in Duval County. Only the second time in history that its happened, both would be by the Raines Vikings.

About the author

Andre' Ellis, Founder/ Lead Writer DuvalSports.com Florida Times Union All-City 1998,LB, Sandalwood Florida A&M Unv, BA , MBA