Jacksonville FL- It was a forgone conclusion even before the playoffs began. So the way it played out on Friday night was no surprise to any when Raines shut out visiting Dunnellon 48-0 to advance to the Class 4A State Championship game. The shock of the night actually occurred in another game that the Vikings were closely watching, as many discovered that Raines would face Coca for a second straight year after Cocoa upset highly favorite University 32-31. Yup it was that type of night for the Vikings, watching other games around the state as the state watched them demolish Dunnellon.
Raines is ready and pumped up for their game against Dunnellon Tigers. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/zUnevVV4aZ
— Ariana Zackery (@ZackeryAriana) December 1, 2018
Raines jumped out to a quick first quarter lead and never looked back. Fittingly it would start with one of their hottest athletes Daivarus Thomas. Thomas has scored in every playoff game and he added to this accomplishment when he took a screen pass from quarterback Jacourey Rivers for the early score.
The defense would get the ball back quickly for Raines with an interception and Rivers would do it himself, scoring on a run to give Raines the 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Rivers started ahead of Barren Coates who had started for the team all year. Coach Deran Wiley said after the game that the decision was a “gut feeling from him and the coaches”. That gut feeling certainly paid off.
At the end of the 1st qtr Raines has the lead over Dunnellon. The score is Raines 14 – Dunnellon 0. Stay tuned for the 2nd qtr. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/JmkmlJJ1TZ
— Ariana Zackery (@ZackeryAriana) December 1, 2018
Next it would be Brandon Marshall’s turn to get into the mix. Marshall would take the hand off and pin ball off defenders sprinting to the end zone for a second quarter touchdown. Marshall would quickly get his second touchdown, showing his speed by racing around the edge as Raines established their dominance in the game leading 27-0 just midway through the 2nd quarter.
The Raines defense would capitalize again when Treyvon Hobbs secured an interception and returned it deep into Tiger territory. It would take just one play for the Vikings to add to the lead when Rivers, who scored an earlier touchdown executed a quarterback sneak to give Raines a 34-0 halftime lead.
For the second year in a row, the second half of the State semifinal game featuring Raines saw a running clock. Rivers would add a touchdown pass to Matt Drayton to push the lead to 41 points. Finally, Barren Coates, would keep the ball himself and score on a run to close out the scoring barrage for Raines.
Raines vs Dunnellon Playoff game has come to a close. The final score ended up being Raines 48 – Dunnellon 0. Both teams showing good sportsmanship after the game. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/R2YJsMN3IP
— Ariana Zackery (@ZackeryAriana) December 1, 2018
The dominance by Raines in the playoffs is a testament to Coach Deran Wiley and his staff’s ability to get the best out of his players during the regular season. The Vikings went 9-1 and defeated Mandarin who will play for a Class 8A State Championship. They defeated a Lincoln team on the road which advanced to the second round of the Class 7A State Playoffs. They also downed playoff teams Fletcher, Ribault, Oakleaf, and a 7-3 Sandalwood team that missed the playoffs.
Their team achievement accentuated the remarkable individual achievement by senior running-back Brandon Marshall, who eclipsed the 4,000 yard career rushing mark in the state semifinals. Marshall is the all-time leading rusher in the school’s storied history. Said Wiley after the game, “I’m just glad I could be a coach and witness it first hand; what a remarkable person and player”.
The “goose egg” as they say in coaching circles, was the second consecutive by the Vikings as they’ve outscored their playoff opponents 137-9! It’s a dominating performance the likes that no other Vikings team has achieved before, and Raines hopes to continue making history as they prepare to face Cocoa for the second straight year looking for an unprecedented back-to-back title.
