Raines H.S- The intimidating confines of the “graveyard” continue to be a place that many opponents find little chance of winning this year. Another night of balance offensive attacks dismantled Sandalwood High enroute to a 55-20 victory.
Raines getting ready for their showdown vs Sandalwood pic.twitter.com/daVDQegDiV
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 6, 2017
Leading the route were the usual offensive standouts of quarterback Ivory Durham, the city’s leading passer, Brandon Marshall, one of the conference’s most exciting running back, and George Webb, the receiver/return artist that finds the endzone with ease, and receiver Kamaree Noble who tends to match him.
After the Sandalwood’s opening drive was stopped, Durham hit Marshall for a 27 yard pass with only less than three minutes gone in the first quarter. Then, late in the quarter, the Saints hit paydirt as Rauyn Simms found Nile Carter on a 30 yard score to tie the game at 7-7.
From that point, the Vikings would rip off 20 unanswered points in the first half.16 yard line. After the ensuing drive stalled, Webb fielded a Sandalwood punt at his own 24 yard line, picked up blocking on the left side of the field and took it to the “house” to make the advantage 20-7, on the first play of the second quarter. Again the Vikings defense stymied the Saints, turning the ball over to Raines again.
On a third down call, and being flushed out of the pocket, Durham (9-15-1, 200 Yards, 4 TD’s) launched his third aerial score of the game at the 6:54 mark. At 27-7, the Vikings were hoping to score again before the half, and take the air out of the Saints wings. But, Simms found Carter again on a bit pass deep in Raines territory, but the play was the final play as time expired, ending the first half.
Opening the second half, Raines scored again with less than thee minutes off the clock, as Marshall (8 carries, 103 yards, 2 TDs; 1 Reception , 27 Yards, 1 TD) hit on three trip, and with Ishmael Sanders (7 for 8 PATs) conversion, the score went to 34-7. Less than two minutes later, Killian took it in from the five yard line and extended the Raines lead to 41-7. Had it not been for a missed PAT in the second quarter, the ruling clock rule would have be in play after the score, and caused the game to move that much quicker.
The Saints never stopped coming. After returning the kickoff inside the Raines 30 yard line, a personal foul penalty moved the ball to the Raines 20 yard line. Sandalwood continued to using a passing attack as the combo of Simms – Carter struck again for a score, to trail 14-41.
The Vikings would score twice more within three minutes to close out the third quarter as Webb’s 27 yard reception and Marshall’s 40 scamper made it a 55-14 game, and the running clock was turned on.The last highlight of the game was Avery McCorker went the distance on an 80 yard kickoff return, and the Saints again showed signs of life. Unfortunately their last drive of the game yielded no points, as did their final play, although it took two plays to end the game as a Raines personal foul penalty allowed for Sandalwood to try to put another score on the board, but, the pass was incomplete…ballgame!
Since their opening season loss to Lee, the Vikings have averaged 51.8 points per game, while allowing only 9.8 points per game. Senior quarterback Ivory Durham added to season total, and has now passed for 1,490 yards (unofficially) and 17 TD’s and only 3 INT’s. In the last three games, Webb has accounted for seven scores on 339 yards, including two punt returns, while placekicker Ishmael Sanders is 24-27 PAT’s, putting him on pace to set a new record.
After the game Raines coach Deran Wiley urged the team to “stay focused” and “stay hungry” as they prepare for their next four games, which include Oakleaf, Rickards and Lincoln of Tallahassee, and “that other team” [Ribault]!
Next up: Raines vs. Oakleaf; Mandarin vs. Sandalwood
