Jacksonville Fl-Raines and Riverside were scheduled to meet this past Friday night. However, hurricane Helene delayed the game to Monday night. The matchup between the Generals and the Vikings featured several highly recruited prospects, which made for an extremely exciting game with both teams going back and forth in one of the highest scoring games of the year.
The first quarter started off hot for the Vikings as they marched down the field with ease, before quarterback T.J. Cole found receiver Kaleb Lampkins for a long receiving touchdown to give Raines a 7-0 lead. It wouldn’t take Riverside to answer though.
Shermon Davis would take the handoff and run for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage for Riverside, making the score 7-6 with the missed extra point. Raines offense continued to dominate, this time on the ground. Running back, Ta’darius Washington, would sprint down the sideline to extend the lead to 14-6.
Raines running back #21 dodges and evades defenders before sprinting down the sideline to extend the viking lead.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Raines 14
Riverside 6@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/ynnany6J1n
Riverside would answer right back. A long drive down the field would end with quarterback, Glenn Foreman III, finding Zavier Hilliard for the touchdown, making it a one point game. This game would continue to go back and forth during the first quarter.
Raines offense continued to score in a variety of ways. This time, it was quarterback T.J. Cole again who would would take it himself on 4th down for a rushing touchdown. This extended the Raines lead to 21-13.
4th and 1? no problem for TJ Cole who takes it himself for the rushing TD!!@DuvalSports
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Raines 21
Riverside 13 pic.twitter.com/v7UutpOYKF
The Vikings would start playing some great complementary football. Forcing a fumble on defense, then giving the ball to their talented running back Ta’darius Washington who rushed for another touchdown on the very next play. A thrilling, 40-point first quarter, YES, that’s right “first quarter” would end with Raines on top, 27-13.
Riverside fumbles the ball. Raines takes advantage and punches the ball in 1 play later. #21 is having a day running the ball.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Extra point is no good.
Raines 27
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On the possession of the second quarter, Raines would continue with the complementary football, forcing another fumble and getting the ball right back to the offense to start the second quarter. This would lead to T.J. Cole finding receiver Adron Walker down the sideline for a 40 yard touchdown. The Cole to Walker connection has been lethal all season and no one has been able to stop it.
Another Riverside fumble that Raines recovers. That’s two drives in a row where the Generals cough it up.@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/zdhgH6HMRo
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Now it was Riverside’s turn to play some complementary football. The Generals would make an interception and put the offense in great field position. Allowing running back, Shermon Davis, to run and flip into the endzone to close in on the lead, making it 34-26 in favor of Raines.
Riverside taking advantage after the interception by Cole. Letting #9 rush and FLIP into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Raines 34
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On the following drive, Riverside would intercept Cole again, making a great return to the 15-yard line to set up the offense once again. This time, Foreman would find Florida commit, Tae’shaun Gelsey, for the short passing touchdown and convert on the two point conversion to bring the deficit to two points.
First play after the interception, Tae’shaun Gelsey finds the end zone again!!!! Riverside climbing back.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
2pt conversion is no good.
Raines 34
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Raines offense would get their groove back the next possession, marching down the field and dialing up a T.J. Cole finding Adron Walker for another touchdown. The Vikings would go for 2, extending the lead to 42-32.
4th down. TJ Cole comes in clutch once again, finds Adron Walker( @Drago_1k ) for the deadly connection that no one seems to find the answer to. Raines extending their lead to 10. 2 point conversion is good!
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
Raines 42
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The Riverside offense would stall and let Raines get one more try before halftime. On the final play of the first half, Cole would take a shot towards the end zone but Myles Kendrick would come down with the interception and return it for a 107-yard pick six. Hold on though, there was a holding call on the return, negating the incredible touchdown. Both teams would head into the locker rooms with an extra long halftime break, as a lighting delay would call for a 30 minute break.
LAST PLAY OF THE FIRST HALF. RIVERSIDE GETS A 107 YARD PICK SIX. However, there was holding on the return, ruining one of the wildest plays i’ve ever seen!
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) September 30, 2024
🚨HALFTIME🚨
Raines 42
Riverside 32
We are now in a 30 minute weather delay.@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/SUZDWzN6zA
Riverside’s offense would sputter coming out of the long halftime break. Raines would get the ball right back and march down the field with ease. T.J. Cole would then find Andreus Cox for the 30-yard receiving touchdown. Riverside’s offense was no where to be found in the 3rd quarter, giving the ball right back to Raines, who would once again take advantage of this.
Vikings on the board first and the second. TJ Cole with a strike to #14 extends the lead.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) October 1, 2024
Raines 49
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After a long drive, T.J. Cole would find the end zone, once again using his legs to scramble in and extend the Viking lead, making it 56-32. Early in the 4th quarter, Raines would begin to have a little fun. Once they got into the red zone, they would run a double reverse, which ended with wide receiver Ziyon Butler passing to T.J. Cole in the end zone for the touchdown, making it 62-32 after the Viking Special.
TJ Cole has found the end zone with his legs once again!!
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) October 1, 2024
Raines 56
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Despite being down big, Riverside refused to give up. Running back Shermon Davis would find the end zone for the third time of the night, making it 62-40 after the two point attempt was good. Raines would eventually get the ball back, thanks to an incredible interception by Xavier Williams and run out the rest of the clock.
This will just about seal the deal for the Vikings. An interception late in the game ends and hope for the Generals@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Mbq3Mi3TIN
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) October 1, 2024
This was a big win for Raines, as they continue their undefeated run. However, they will likely be without their star offensive lineman and Florida State commit, Solomon Thomas, the rest of the season, who exited the game with a potential serious foot injury.
T.J. Cole continues to show why he is one of the most dynamic players in Northeast Florida as he put up an incredible stat line with 3 passing touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns, and 1 receiving touchdown. Raines will face Ribault on Saturday for the 55th Northwest classic. Riverside will look to bounce back this Friday against Trinity Christian.
