Miami Fl- Tonight, Raines takes on Miami Northwestern to decide the Class 3A FHSAA State championship. The Vikings come into the contest averaging 46 points per game. They’ve defeated playoff opponents Bay (53-14), Wakulla (63-7), and Bishop Kenny (44-14). Playing in their fourth state championship game in ten years, the Vikings have won three state titles in school history.
The Vikings have navigated an undefeated season at 13-0 and are led by head coach Donovan Masline. It’s only the second time Raines goes into the championship game with an undefeated record. The first was the Wellton Coffey led Vikings in 1997 where that team won the school’s first title with a 14-0 record.
Raines faces 11-2 Miami Northwestern led by former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The Bulls have shutout two previous opponents Cypress Lake 48-0 and Eau Gallie 40-0 in the state playoffs. Northwestern has registered four shutouts on the season, and look to win their eighth title. Northwestern has seven state championships, the most recent coming in 2019.
It will be the first time that these two historically black high schools have met in the championship game. Northwestern defeated Raines 8-7 in 2014, and 25-7 in 2013 in regular season matchups. Northwestern defeated Sandalwood for their first football state championship 12-7 in 1995.
Position Preview:
Quarterback
Raines
Timothy Cole Jr (JR)
Passing Yards: 2,812yds
Ints: 7
Passing TDs: 43
Rushing Yards: 872yds
Rushing TDs: 9
TJ Cole transferred from Ribault High School where he started for multiple seasons before his junior campaign. Cole became the Raines single season passing touchdown leader in 2024, and is just 4 away from tying DeAndre Johnson (First Coast) for the most ever in Northeast Florida. He is the ultimate dual threat quarterback, with impeccable poise and experience.
Northwestern
Leon Strawder (JR)
Passing Yards: 2,677
Passing TDs: 41
Ints: 8
Rushing Yards: 205yds
Rushing TDs: 3
Leon Strawder transferred to Northwestern from Miami Central last year, but stepped into the starting role this year leading the Bulls to the state championship game. Strawder uses his legs when needed, but relies on his arm and big play receivers to power the passing game.
Running Back
Raines
Ta’darius Washington (JR)
Rushing Yards: 939yds
Rushing TDs: 17
Washington has led a rushing attack that has quietly rushed for over 2,000 yards in 13 games. Although the offense centers around the pass, Washington has had 7 games where he has rushed for multiple scores proving that he can carry the load when called upon.
Northwestern
King Davis (SR)
Rushing Yards: 803yds
Rushing TDs: 8
3-star running back King Davis has lead Northwestern in rushing. He is a game breaker, averaging 11.6 ypg with offers from Oregon, Ole Miss, and UCF. Davis returned to the West after playing just his junior season with the Miami Central Rockets. However, junior Elijah Hardy has nearly as many carries (62) with 7 TDs on the season. Hardy has offers from SMU and Arkansas.
Wide Receiver
Raines
Adron Walker (SR)
Receiving Yards: 767yds
Receiving TDs: 16
The 6 foot 1 Adron Walker ( BCU and AAMU offers) has been the top wideout in arguably the best receiving core in Raines long history. The numbers don’t lie, as six receivers have over 200 yards receiving. Ziyon Butler (595yds, 9 TDs) and Kaleb Lampkins (527yds, 9 TDs) have been spectacular compliments to Walker who has made spectacular one-handed catches all year. Butler also makes plays at defensive back, showcasing his incredible versatility.
Northwestern
Daruis Johnson (SR)
Receiving Yards: 785yds
Receiving TDs: 9
The Miami Northwestern receiving core is arguably the best in the state of Florida. Syracuse commit Daruis Johnson is a 3-star playmaker who can easily get behind defenders. 6’1, 4-star sophomore Nicholas Lennear (657yds, 11 TDs), and 6’5 Calvin Russell Jr (645yds, 11 TDs) a 5-star junior, are matchup nightmares.
Offensive line
Northwestern’s offensive line has notable size in 6’4, 275lbs Remarus Turnier, 6’4 285lbs Anthony Bell, and 6’3, 290lbs Odonis Pierre. Yet the Teddy Bridgewater offense likes to gets the ball out quickly, so their strength is getting off the ball quickly.
Raines offensive line is led by 6’4, 317lbs LSU signee Solomon Thomas. The 5-star Thomas has not played in a month due to an injury. Still, 6’3, 295lbs Syon Hawkins, 6’3, 277lbs Kerrick Jackson, 6’4, 281lbs Arundai Mitchell, 6’3, 370lbs Mckinley Alexander iv, Roderick Adams (6’1, 300lbs), and Jordan Scott (6’1, 265lbs) have continued to open holes and protect their quarterback. This unit has overpowered every opponent this season.
Defense
Tackles:
Tony Williams (SR) Raines-101
Desmond Johnson (JR) Northwestern-83
Sacks:
Jyon Simon (SR) Raines- 11
Deangelo Thompson (SR) Northwestern-10
Interceptions:
Eddie Hinton (JR) Raines- 5
Lineten Belizaire (SR) Northwestern-3
The Northwestern defense has lots of talented collegiate prospects. Thompson is a Syracuse commit leading the Bulls in sacks. Johnson (6’1) leads Northwestern in tackles and heads a defensive unit that’s comprised of West Virginia commit Wilnerson Telemaque (6’5 defensive lineman). Tywan Cox is a 3-star safety committed to Illinois, and Colorado commit Antonio Branch Jr are elite athletes in the Northwestern secondary.
The Raines defense is led up front by 6’3 Rutgers signee Jyon Simon. The Vikings defensive line of 6’2 Troy Butler, 6’4 King Massey, 6’2 Ruben Elamin and 6’1 Geterius Brown have wreaked havoc on offensive lines and quarterbacks. Linebackers Micah Merritt (6’2, 200lbs), and 4-star Tony Williams (6’1, 215lbs) are big run stuffing backers, who also pressure quarterbacks. Hinton leads Raines in picks, while Jayshaun Wanton is a hard hitting safety leading the team with 11 pass deflections. They along with Jucoby Marion and Jacari Maddox have patrolled the airways this season for the Vikings secondary.
Outlook: Raines has the experience edge, and will play with an edge. They’ll look to play hard in front of several college recruiters and college coaches that will be on hand. It will also be the largest crowd Raines has played in front of this season, one that will get the players enthused and motivated on a higher level.
However, Raines was not tested at any point this season against a team as talented as Northwestern. They must raise their level of play, and ensure the moment is not too big in Northwestern’s back yard of FIU’s Pittbull stadium. The Vikings advantage will be to use their size on the interior, and bully Northwestern up front in the trenches. Northwestern struggled with physical teams like Venice and Miami Norland.
The Bulls will look to get the ball to their playmakers in open space quickly. The Raines secondary did give up a long touchdown versus Booker last week. This is the game that everyone wanted to see when the new classifications came out earlier this year. We’ve all got our wish.
