Northeast Fl- With one second remaining in the game, and the ball on the 1-yard line, Raines needed a touchdown to win the game trailing Riverside 24-20. Head coach Donovan Masline decided to go with his quarterback for the last play. Said Masline, “we knew they would key on Mark (Miller) so we put the ball in Ty’s hands”.
Senior Ty’ren Randolph would take the ball on the direct snap from the shot-gun, follow the crushing blocks of Solomon Thomas, Antonio Allen, and Jaivyon Holmes, sweeping right to plunge across the goal-line for a walk-off touchdown as pandemonium ensued.
The last play to win the game for Raines almost wasn’t, as referees had to huddle to discuss two consecutive plays before the final touchdown. Riverside stopped Raines on two consecutive run plays, however the Generals argued that the clock on the score board never started on both plays, and they were correct.
After the first Riverside stop, the referees put 18-seconds on the clock which still read 33-seconds on the score board. After the second stop by Riverside, the referees put 1-second on the clock which still read 18-seconds on the scoreboard. One second, for one more play from the 1-yard line, made for a controversial yet climactic finish.
Chaos in the last seconds! Clock still didn't move! Riverside believes they've won . Raines says they have 1 second and 1 play!! … it's 24-20 Raines needs a TD pic.twitter.com/igKMrDOL8v
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Said Coach Masline after the game, “we knew we had more time on the clock, although the scoreboard clock wasn’t running, the referee in the press box was keeping accurate time”. Said Riverside assistant Coach La’Quinn Fitzpatrick “I’ve never seen a team run four plays in 33 seconds before”.
The scoreboard controversey at game’s end, marred what was another instant classic by Raiens and Riverside. Jarris Andrews would catch the first touchdown pass from Ty’ren Randolph in the first quarter to go up 6-0 after the missed PAT.
Jarris Andrews from Ty'ren Randolph TOUCHDOWN RAINES! PAT no good! Vikings lead Riverside 6-0, 1:25, 1st pic.twitter.com/69GdKXydfZ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 29, 2023
It wouldn’t take long for Riverside to respond when quarterback Glenn Foreman III tossed a touchdown to Zavier Hilliard for the General’s first touchdown of the game. They would lead Raines 7-6 after the PAT conversion.
Wow Zavier Hilliard goes up and gets it for the TOUCHDOWN! from Glenn Foreman III PAT GOOD! Riverside leads Raines 7-6, 2nd ,9:27 pic.twitter.com/uBlRtsQBAF
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 29, 2023
Raines however would take momentum into halftime as Ty’ren Randolph added a rushing touchdown to his scoring night. The senior scores from 1-yard out giving Raines a 14-7 lead. Viking’s safety Davain Lucas intercepted a pass to end half.
Davian Lucas closes out the first half! Interception! Raines leads 14-7! pic.twitter.com/L5VdVDMtTS
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 29, 2023
In the second half, Riverside changed it’s game plan. Missing on pass connectiosn in the first half, they went to a run heavy formula in the second and it worked. On Riverside’s first drive of the second half, Shermon Davis would take a hand-off around the left side and cut up near the home sidelines to rumble in for a touchdown. The score would tie the game 14-14.
Tied going into the fourth quarter, Randolph would hit his running back Mark Miller for a touchdown. Miller had been the focus of Riverside’s defense and they were successful in limiting him rushing. However, Miller found his way to the end-zone through the air.
Beautiful play design! Raines back on top of Riverside 20-14 PAT BLOCKED! Ty'ren Randolph to Mark Miller! pic.twitter.com/sD7gZeeTgS
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Trailing 20-14, Riverside would get a big kick-off return from Rajon Wright to put them in great field position. However, Riverside would have to settle for a field goal to make the score 20-17.
Raines looked as if they were going to put the game away late in the fourth, when Shermon Davis stepped up big again for Riverside, but this time on defense with a strip-sack. The ball was picked up by Riverside’s Larry Davis and returned into Raines territory.
BAM!!! 💥 FUMBLE RIVERSIDE's Larry Davis scoops the sack fumble! Wow! Riverside in business at the Raines40yf line! 3:15 to play 4th Raines 20 Riverside 17! What a game! pic.twitter.com/nbS8trDVSr
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Glenn Foreman III would toss his second touchdown pass of the game, eluding pressure in the pocket and tossing a beautiful floater to his big 6 foot 4inch, 4-star receiver Tae’Shaun Gelsey for a touchdown. The score sent the home crowd into euphoria, as the Generals took a 24-20 lead with only 2:00 minutes to play in the game.
AMAZING!! Glenn Foreman III comes back in the game and avoids pressure and tosses a BEAUTIFUL pass to 4-star @GelseyTae Tae'Shaun Gelsey! Riverside 24 Raines 20! 4th 2:00 pic.twitter.com/69UMsWAwW6
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Raines would get a big kick-off return by Nicholas Kilpatrick to set them up in great field position. A personal foul penalty for an out of bounds tackle on the return would give Raines even better field position.
Big kickoff return by Nicholas Kilpatrick! Wow another big play. Raines has the ball, 1:15 to play at Riverside 20yd line !! pic.twitter.com/kAORsXYqYQ
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Plays like that were made all night from both teams. Riverside’s Anthony Henry intercepted two passes in the game. His teammates were impressive against the run, forcing several 4th-downs, and turnover on downs.
Junior Anthony Henry with his 2nd INTERCEPTION of the night! For Riverside! pic.twitter.com/8P7clBaYX0
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
Raines made plays too, like the one by defensive back Shareef Jackson, who nabbed a pick in the second half. Receiver Ziyon Butler, and Amari McIntyre also stepped up big for the Vikings. All of which set up a thrilling ending in the backyard.
Shareef Jackson INTERCEPTION! Raines takes over at own 17yd line. game tied vs Riverside 14-14 ,5:59 3rd pic.twitter.com/lyivoFyL9a
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 30, 2023
In the end, Raines would inch out the win 26-24 and improve to 4-1 on the season. Riverside fell to 3-2 and travels to Trinity Christian (4-2) ext week. Raines has First Coast (1-3) at home.
