Jacksonville Fl- The Raines Vikings faced off against the defending state champions, the Mainland Buccaneers, in a much-anticipated revenge matchup. Last season, the Vikings traveled to face the Buccaneers, resulting in a disappointing 26-0 loss. However, this year’s game, held at the Graveyard, was a different story.
Raines wasted no time making a statement. Quarterback Timothy Cole II connected with wide receiver Adron Walker early in the first quarter, putting the Vikings on the scoreboard with a 6-0 lead. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the Vikings had drawn first blood. The Buccaneers quickly responded with an explosive play of their own. Edward Williams broke a tackle and sprinted for an 80-plus yard touchdown, tying the game at 6-6.
The Vikings’ defense stepped up in a big way throughout the game, starting with Eddie Hinton’s crucial play. After a bad snap from Mainland, Hinton scooped up the loose ball and scored a defensive touchdown, giving Raines the lead once again. Timothy Cole then added a two-point conversion run, extending the Vikings’ lead to 14-6. Mainland struggled to find their footing on both sides of the ball, unable to contain Raines’ growing momentum.
Andreus Cox continued to add to the Vikings’ advantage, scoring his first touchdown of the night to increase the lead to 20-6 going into halftime. The two-point conversion attempt was once again no good, but the Vikings had taken control of the game by halftime.
Raines’ defense continued to dominate in the third quarter. Jyon Simon broke through the Buccaneers’ offensive line, pressuring the Mainland quarterback in the end zone and forcing a safety, further increasing Raines’ lead to 22-6. The Vikings’ defensive performance was relentless, showcasing an “all gas, no brakes” mentality, as they forced Mainland into several mistakes.
Andreus Cox wasn’t done yet, scoring his second touchdown of the game later in the third quarter, bringing the score to 29-6. Timothy Cole followed up with his second touchdown in the fourth quarter, powering his way into the end zone to cap off a stellar performance by the Vikings’ offense. With the score at 35-6, the game was all but over.
Mainland’s Phillip Moore managed to score a touchdown late in the game, adding some respectability to the final score. The Buccaneers were able to close the gap, but Raines still walked away with a convincing 35-24 victory.
The Vikings’ win over the Buccaneers not only highlighted their defensive strength but also showcased their balanced offense. Timothy Cole’s leadership at quarterback was pivotal in maintaining control of the game. This win also solidified the Vikings’ status as serious contenders to make it back to the playoffs and to make it even further than last season playoff run even though it is still early in the season.
For Mainland, this marks their fourth consecutive loss in a difficult season. Despite some promising plays, like Edward Williams‘ long touchdown run, the Buccaneers struggled with consistency and turnovers.
With this win, the Raines Vikings improved to 4-0, remaining undefeated and getting sweet revenge for last season’s shutout loss. The Vikings now head into a bye week, giving them time to rest and reset before preparing for their next matchup against Riverside. Meanwhile, the Mainland Buccaneers (0-4) face another tough road test as they travel to Georgia to take on the undefeated Coffee Trojans.
Photos by Asia Maye
