Sandalwood- Two of the best running backs in Northeast Florida squared off at Dennis Bartley Field Thursday afternoon in a clash between the Raines Vikings(5-1) and the Sandalwood Saints (4-2). Raine’s Brandon Marshall is one of the top running-backs in our area. He’s rushed for over 1,072 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a 288 yard 5 TD effort versus Fletcher. Kyjaun Herndon was sixth in the area going into the contest with 808 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. So the showdown was set for both players to run wild, however an unlikely hero would emerge.
At the end of the first quarter Sandalwood and Raines remained tied as both running games failed to get anything going. Yet in the second quarter, Brandon Marshall would strike first. He took a hand off racing around the right side, eluding defenders and breaking tackles, Marshall would cut back across field for a 60 yard gain. A few plays later, Marshall would score from 5 yards out to give Raines the lead 6-0 after the missed P.A.T.
The score wouldn’t remain that way for long, has Kyjaun Herndon would respond. Herndon, awaited the ensuing kickoff and sped through the Vikings coverage for a 64 yard return setting Sandalwood up in the Vikings red-zone. After four tries inside the five yard line, Antonio Clary took the direct snap around the right side for a 1 yard touchdown, as the Saints took a 7-6 lead into halftime.
The start of the second half saw the Saints strike first. Herndon would receive the screen pass and rumble 48 yards for the score. The Saints found unique ways for Herndon to get the ball in his hands and the strategy worked as the talented junior made several plays outside of the struggling run game for the Saints. The Vikings would capitalize on a similar strategy, but instead of using Marshall in different ways, they used him as a decoy. Mid-way through the third quarter Barron Coates would capitalize on the Saints secondary peaking in the back-field to stop Marshall as Coates would find Daivarus Thomas for a 50 yard reception. Later on the drive. Coates found Marshall on a 7 yard touchdown pass as the Vikings inched closer to the Saints 14-12 in the third quarter.
Daivarus Thomas with a big game for Raines! 125 yds receiving and a Rec TD as Raines defeats Sandalwood 20-14! Interviewed by Duval Sports on the NFHS Network powered by the @ThePrepZone Channel pic.twitter.com/6u4mQ7JZfs
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) October 5, 2018
In the fourth quarter both teams traded punts until Raines once again caught the Saints secondary asleep. Thomas, who victimized the Saints previously, caught a beautiful 68 yard touchdown pass from Coates for the go ahead score. 
A 2-point conversion was good by Marshall and Raines took a 20-14 lead over Sandalwood with 6:30 to go in the 4th. Sandalwood had opportunities to mount a comeback, but the Vikings defense clamped down. Javon Bonsell and Clarence Perrier would secure a sacks late in the game. Yet the back breaker came when Coates found Jaquez Griffin on a 43 yard pass when the Saints needed a critical stop to get the ball back to their offense. The Saints defense would hold them on downs deep inside their own 10-yard line, but Sandalwood was unable to drive the length of the field in 17-seconds as the Vikings took the 20-14 win on the road. Coach Deran Wiley and the defending Class 4A champs have rebounded well from a 16-15 loss to Lee back in Week 1 with five consecutive wins over First Coast (34-8), Ed White (48-6),Fletcher (47-14), Mandarin (27-24), and now Sandalwood. The Vikings look to keep the streak going against a well improved Oakleaf team from a year ago. In that showdown, Raines will look to repeat their 41-3 drubbing of the Knights.
Same story every year since I’ve been covering 1-8a. Since ‘15 they are 17-3 in Before 10/1.
7-10 after 10/1.
— Michael Lischio Jr. (@FootballCounty1) October 5, 2018
As for Sandalwood, Coach Adam Geis must look to reverse an unflattering trend that’s plagued his team over the years. Since 2015, the Saints are 15-1 in regular season games. They are 9-12 after week 5 in the regular season. The game was close and the Saints are certainly a team with talent, with players like MLB Branden Jennings who led them in tackles and Jahlon Wilson who made plays against Raines as well. Yet the Saints have to find a way to win the showdowns like these if they want to improve on their fall record.
Photos by Sterling Jones Epic Images
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