Raines High School-The slight chill of a November night was proof that Florida high school playoff time was here. For visiting North Bay Haven Academy, it was a cold night, and a memorable visit to the “graveyard”.Looking extremely methodical in their opening drive, the Buccaneers started their first drive in exactly that manner, with several straight running plays, stalled before stalling and turning the ball over on a fumble. With that gift, Raines looked to start the game with a solid drive, but turned the ball over, as quarterback Ivory Durham’s tipped pass was intercepted. That turnover was temporary however, and with their next possession, the Vikings put together a drive that included a 22 yard pass reception by Kamaree Noble, followed by a 20 yard run by Raynell Killian, to take a 6-0 lead.
With Raines having the ball at the North Bay Haven 34 yard line at the start of the second quarter, Durham hit George Webb for the first of four scores in the quarter. A Brandon Marshall run for the two point conversion, and the Viking advantage was now 14-0, with the scoring parade about to begin.
In the past two games, Raines has scored over 28 points in one quarter, and for the fifth time this season, they have scored 21 or more points in a quarter. The touchdown pass gave Durham 28 on the year, breaking the Viking’s all-time record for TD passes in a season set by Mack Frazier’s in 1997. Stopping another Buccaneers drive, the Raines defense again put the Viking in excellent field possession. Running with a purpose, running back Brandon Marshall took a 21 yard jaunt for a score, and Raines lead was now 21-0 with 8:12 left in the first half. Getting the ball again in the quarter, Raines scored twice within a two minute period. Durham took a draw play in for a 32 yard score, and then on the next possession, he hit Kamaree Noble on a 22 yard run and catch at the 3:20 mark. That score put the score at 36-0, as the half would see North Bay Haven running out the clock to end the half. Durham’s 22 yard pass to Noble placed him in the number one position on the Raines all-time passing list, with 4,463 yards, moving pass Vince Robinson’s 4,455 yards, a record that stood for over 30 years. He only needs three more TD passes to tie Robinson’s career record of 52 TD passes. With a running clock to open the second half, Raines offense ended their scoring with a Marshall 35 yard run and the Viking defense led by Diop Kee, Elijah Spivey, and Javon Bonsell went on to pitch their fourth shutout of the season, and allowing on 38 total yards by the visitors.
The 43-0 win saw the Vikings offensive production headed by junior running back Brandon Marshall rack up yards rushing, putting him at 1,159 yards, and his two TD’s gave him 14 on the year. Senior quarterback, and Ivory Durham went 6-11-1 for 138 yards, along with two passing scores and one rushing TD.
Raines (10-1) now prepares to take on West Nassau High (next week at the “graveyard” in a northeast matchup of the top teams in their region, and the winner advancing to the state semi-final game.
