Northside- Defensive back Treyvon Hobbs read the play all the way. When Ribault quarterback Santana Jackson dropped back to pass, he looked to his right and let the ball fly attempting to reach his receiver. Hobbs who was playing safety, broke on the ball and intercepted it in stride. Nothing but green grass stood in front of him and history as his first half touchdown was the deciding factor in Raines defeating Ribault 10-7 in the 50th annual Northwest Classic.
It was a costly mistake by Jackson, who up until that point had been on the money with his passes in the game. Jackson hit his receiver Vincent Bailey several times in the first half. Two big gains of 30 plus yards set Ribault up in good field position.
Yet mistakes plagued the entire Trojan team on Saturday afternoon, as the team was flagged for 14 penalties in the first half. Probably their biggest mistake was a pin point pass by Jackson who put it right in the hands of his tight-end Chris Johnson, but Johnson dropped a sure fire touchdown down the middle of the field. The missed opportunity would go on to haunt the Trojans on the fall October afternoon.
Raine’s Nigel Smith would close out the first half with a 33 yard field goal giving the Vikings a 10-0 lead. Their defense harassed the Trojans yielding negative rushing yards, sacks by Derek Nealy and Reginald Harden ( forcing a fumble), and a pick 6 by halftime.
The second half saw Coach Linn Shell settle his team down and execute more effectively. After his running-back Josh Jones reeled off a 20-yard run, Jackson would find his big play sophomore wide receiver Freddie Manning III for a touchdown. The drive fresh out of halftime, gave Ribault life as they trailed Raines 10-7 in the third quarter.
The Vikings offense was unable to get much of anything going in response. As in most of the day, the Trojans defense held them in check for the most part. Defensive tackle Chris Sharpe Jr stuffed the run and defensive back Keonta Jenkins defended the pass well. The results saw Raines gain less than 100-yards on the day.
Yet Coach Deran Wiley always finds a way to win, and he’d secure his third consecutive victory in the annual game through his defense. London Richardson would force a fumble on a sack. Mike Robinson and Cedric Newsome would combine for a big sack late in the game Robinson would secure another one on Ribault’s final drive ending any hope for a Trojan comeback.
Raines 10-7 victory gives them the keys to the drivers seat in their district. At 4-2 overall, and 3-0 in district play, they have only Yulee to play to secure a district title and playoff spot. Ribault (2-4, 0-2) will need help if they want to make the playoffs in Class 5A, as their district title hopes were eliminated Saturday.
Photos provided by: Eagles Eye Photography
