Jacksonville Fl- Body language speaks volumes about a person or teams (in this case) the level of energy or enthusiasm a team brings to a game. And while having only practiced on a short week, how you handle business will determine a positive or negative outcome.
From the moment they “walked” on to the field, the Raines (2-1) football team demonstrated a sluggish, lethargic demeanor that would plague them throughout the game against westside opponent Ed White.
With over twenty minutes having been played into the first half, mistakes, miscues, and a lack of energy made for an uneventful night at the “graveyard”. Within a matter of two minutes, both White and Raines would score on interceptions. Junior linebacker Javon Bonsell picked off a Chaz Hirschman pass and raced 32 yards for the first of the night, and made it 6-0 after a failed PAT.Not to be outdone, Senior QB Ivory Durham (10-22-1, 2 TD’s) returned the favor at the 2:01 mark in the half as Carl Otero returned his pass for 37 yards, giving White its only lead of the night. On the ensuing drive, Raines would begin the drive inside their forty. Looking to strike quickly, Durham sent a deep pass down field, only to have it fall incomplete, but multiple penalties by the Commander defense, set the Vikings up on a first and goal at the White (1-2) two yard line. Three plays and one penalty later, Durham would find room on the right side, and scored. Ishmael made the PAT, and Raines took a 13-7 lead into the locker room.
With the school district changing all games to Thursday, due Hurricane Irma approaching Florida, the crowd was very sparse. As the Vikings defense proved their worth all night, led by Diop Kee, Janorris Robinson, Javon Bonsell, and Juan Westberry, the Commander offense saw few opportunities, and the ones they saw produced few results. During the third quarter, Commander quarterback Chaz Hirschman received a tremendous hit from Bonsell. Hirschman in obvious pain, left the field under medical attention, as it appeared he suffered an arm or wrist injury and never returned.
Replacement QB Emmanuel Demery found it no easier, and the Viking defense proved to be relentless, and kept the pressure coming. After getting the ball back, Brandon Marshall (19 for 131 yards) did a few exciting runs, one covering 27 yards. From the Commander 23 yard line, Durham found George Webb in stride for a score, and the lead was extended, giving Raines a 20-7 advantage.
For the third straight games, penalties were the nemesis for the home team, and the fourth quarter showed little improvement on the offensive execution. However, Durham and Marshall were able to keep the final scoring drive alive, before sophomore Jacourey Rivers caught a beautiful pass in the back of the end zone. A Matt Drayton PAT reception from Webb completed the scoring for Raines, and made it 28-7. The score could have been much worse, as two punt returns were called back due to penalties, but that was just another part of the overall atmosphere of the game.
Such games as this one drive coaches insane, and question the commitment of the team, yet, even when being out of sync good teams find ways to win no matter the obstacles. With a week off, the next team to visit the “graveyard’ is Mandarin, and hopefully the weather or lack of energy won’t factor into the Raines’ outcome.
