For the sixth straight year, West Nassau and Raines will meet and for the second straight year somebody will be going home for the holidays. West Nassau is hoping to reverse a trend and finally get that first ever win over nemesis Raines. We’ve waited a whole year for this rematch, here is a rundown of what to expect Friday night.
REGION I-4A
No. 2 West Nassau (9-2) at No. 1 Raines (10-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Graveyard
Series: Raines leads 5-0
2013: Raines 47, West Nassau 28
2014: Raines 40, West Nassau 14
2015: Raines 47, West Nassau 0
2016: Raines 40, West Nassau 6
2017: Raines 57, West Nassau 15 (2nd Round)
About West Nassau: Rickey Armstrong has done such an amazing job since taking over the program five years ago, taking them from the out house to the pen house in his tenure. Armstrong has guided the Warriors to a 33-19 record since taking over including winning seasons in four of the five years, the lone exception a 3-7 season in 2016. Last year the Warriors finished 9-2 and won their first playoff game since 1978 and their first ever home playoff game in school history before being bounced in the second round by eventual state champion Raines on the road. A win over South Walton set up the rematch with nemesis Raines this week. These two couldn’t be more opposite offensively, as the Warriors like to run the ball out of the spread option and feature senior tailbacks Javon Wright (749 yards, 9.4 y.p.c., 9 TD on 80 carries), Christian Nobles (698 yards, 7.1 y.p.c., 7 TD on 98 carries) and Caleb Crandall (467 yards, 8.2 y.p.c., 11 TD on 57 carries). They can throw and rely on senior quarterback Dallas Mumford to run the offense and he has completed 44 of 92 for 623 yards with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. Defensively, the Warriors are solid having posted 5 shutouts and led by a trio of linebackers senior Jeremy Starling (84 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8 sacks), senior Justin Hall (101 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks) and junior Seth O’neal (85 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks). The most important matchup of the game is the Raines receivers against the West Nassau defensive back as the secondary will be greatly tested against the Vikings air attack but if there is one secondary that can handle it, its the Warriors who feature senior Cameron Atwater (44 tackles, 5 INT), 6-4 sophomore Deebo Coleman (48 tackles, 5 INT) and 6-2 senior Damon Harris (50 tackles, 6 INT). The defense, which has accumulated 53 sacks and 24 interceptions must also put pressure on Coates and force a lot of turnovers to win also. While the Warriors made school history winning their first playoff game in 40 years and first ever home playoff game in school history last year, the win last Friday one up last years team by advancing to the third round of the playoffs for the first time ever.
Schedule
Aug 24 NFEI 44-6
Aug 31 at Episcopal 31-7
Sept 7 at Providence 35-0
Sept 14 Hilliard 49-0
Sept 21 Yulee 28-0
Oct 5 Bradford 20-35
Oct 12 at Fernandina Beach 35-0
Oct 19 Paxon 42-0
Oct 25 at Jackson 33-12
Oct 29 Baldwin 14-45
Nov 16 South Walton (1st Round) 35-20
Nov 23 at Raines (2nd Rd) TBD
About Raines: Since taking over in 2009, Deran Wiley had guided the Vikings to ten straight winning seasons and 9 straight playoff appearances, and carries a 89-28 record into this weeks game. Since guiding them to their second state title last season the goal has been to become the first coach to take them to back-to-back state titles. Like last season, the season began with a close loss to Lee, Wiley is hoping the same result happens this season as they rolled off 13 straight wins to win their second state title. The play of senior quarterback Baron Coates (28 touchdowns) has been a big surprise this season as Coates struggled early on but adapted well after reps and games with his new teammates throughout the season. Senior tailback Brandon Marshall (1,868 yards, 22 touchdowns) has come up huge as well and keeps the Vikings offense balanced and defenses guessing all night. A deep and fast receiving core of senior Matt Drayton, senior Daivarus Thomas, senior Jamond Handy, senior Jaquez Griffin and junior Jacourey Rivers has made it easier for Coates as well. Meanwhile, a defense featuring linebackers Javon Bonsell and Aric Horne and safeties Uriah Ratliff and James Tarver, has been playing lights out holding six of its ten opponents to under 14 points or less, on a schedule that featured six playoff teams. Coming into the Graveyard you can forget about winning here as the Vikings have won six consecutive home playoff games over a four year span.
Schedule
Aug 24 Lee 15-16
Aug 31 First Coast 34-8
Sept 6 at Ed White 48-6
Sept 14 at Fletcher 47-14
Sept 21 at Mandarin 27-24
Oct 5 at Sandalwood 21-14
Oct 12 Oakleaf 40-27
Oct 19 Rickards 47-0
Oct 25 at Lincoln 27-20
Nov 3 Ribault 14-6
Nov 16 Marianna (1st Rd) 47-9
Nov 23 West Nassau (2nd Rd) TBA
Joe Pinkos: Raines by 38
Next: Raines would host the Dunnellon-Villages winner in the state semifinals next Friday, West Nassau would host Dunnellon or travel to the Villages in the state semifinals next Friday.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
