This fall, we’ll be providing more coverage of Jacksonville area teams thanks to our partnership with the NFHS Network. Click here for more information about our expanded coverage.
Tonight at 7 p.m. from Jacksonville, we’ll have video coverage of Lee at defending 4A state champion Raines. Join Corey Davis & Andre Ellis for this Duval County showdown. WATCH IT LIVE HERE.
In the AP state football rankings, Lee is receiving votes in Class 7A and Raines is No. 1 in Class 4A. Prognosticator Joe Pinkos lists Raines as a 7-point favorite. Here is a preview of the game courtesy of DuvalSports.com:
Lee Generals
Coach: OJ Small
Record: 9-2
Key Players: Jurial Caldwell (Sr., WR), Taz Nicholson (Sr., ATH), Kevonte Doles (So., RB), Allan Bass Jr., (Jr., RB/DB), Trevor James (Sr., LB), Terrance James (Sr., LB), Lamont Simmons (Sr., WR/DB), Robert Simmons (So., DB)
Newcomers: Cameron Sapp (Sr., QB), Malik Brown (Sr., RB), Deshaun Davis (Sr., WR/DB)
Outlook: Two years ago, Lee took everyone by surprise by advancing all the way to the state semifinals in a stunning loss to Plant. With several starters back, the Generals were expected to make another serious run but surprisingly were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last season. Do the Generals have another run in them this season ? Six starters are back on offense including speedy playmakers Caldwell, Nicholson, Doles, Bass and Simmons along with transfers Sapp (Parker), Bates (Raines), Brown (UC) and Davis (Mandarin). Five starters are back on defense including the James brothers, Simmons, Nicholson and Bass.
Raines Vikings
Coach: Deran Wiley
Record: 13-1
Key Players: Matt Drayton (Sr., WR/DB), Brandon Marshall (Sr., RB), Javon Bonsell (Sr., LB), Aric Horne (Sr., LB), Jamond Handy (Sr., WR), Keto Burke (Sr., WR/TE), Janoris Robertson (Sr., DE), Howard Ford (Sr., OL), Bryant Maddox (Sr., OL)
Newcomers: James Tarver (Sr., ATH), Uriah Ratliff (Sr., DB), Daivarus Thomas (Sr., WR), Jaquez Griffin (Sr., DB/WR), Barron Coates (Sr., QB)
Outlook: It took them another 20 years, but Raines finally got the area and themselves a second state title, so what do you do for an encore. A repeat isn’t out of the question, it won’t be easy though. Playmakers Ivory Durham (165 of 243 for 3,002 yards, 35 TDs), George Webb (30 catches for 730 yards, 10 TDs) and Kemare Noble (43 catches for 645 yards, 9 TDs) are all gone on the offense. However, Marshall (1,719 yards and 22 touchdowns on 180 carries) is back as is Drayton, Burke and Handy who all saw significant playing time. The line featuring Ford and Maddox will pave the way for Marshall, who looks to put up similar numbers this year. Coates, a transfer from First Coast, ran the offense in the spring and summer and looks to put his new team back in Orlando competing for its third state title. Ten starters are back including a stingy defense led by Bonsell (72 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 INT), Robertston and Horne. The team took on the motto, “The Clock Boys” and will look to not only continue that style of play putting running clocks on their opponents but keep its 13 game winning streak in tack. No area team outside of Bolles, Trinity or U.C. has ever gone back-to-back, something that should serve as high motivation for this group.
