Jacksonville Fl- Bolles and Raines are two of the most dominant football programs in Northeast Florida. Every time they’ve met, it’s been an instant classic. The week 1 game of the 2024 high school football season was no different, as both teams traded scores in a action packed game complete with lead changes, and crazy plays.
In the beginning, both teams’ offenses started slow, but it didn’t take long for the action to pick up. Raines Quarterback TJ Cole found wide receiver Adron Walker in the endzone for the the first touchdown of the game. Raines would miss the point after , but lead 6-0 in the first quarter.
Raines opens the scoring, misses PAT
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) August 23, 2024
Raines- 6
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Bolles would then march right down the field on the ensuing drive, and score a touchdown of their own. Their senior quarterback Ethan Drumm connected with tight end Corbyn Fordham for the short touchdown pass. Bolles would lead Raines 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Bolles immediately answers with a TD of their own.
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) August 23, 2024
Bolles 7
Raines 6@DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/M6CABztc2f
However, Raines would not be trailing for long, as TJ Cole danced around the pocket to create time. He eventually found wide receiver Ziyon Butler for a touchdown in the corner of the endzone. Raines would fail the 2pt conversion and take a lead of 12-7.
As the half came to a close, Raines looked to extend their lead by kicking a field goal. However, Bolles linebacker Simeon Caldwell rushed around the edge and blocked the kick. The kick was then picked up and returned 75-yards for a touchdown by Bolles defensive back Jalen Ross. Bolles took the lead into halftime 13-12.
BOLLES BLOCKS FIELD GOAL @jalenross5_ RETURNS FOR A BULLDOGS TOUCHDOWN
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) August 24, 2024
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Bolles received the ball first in the second half and wasn’t able to do much with the possession. Raines would capitalize by punching in a rushing touchdown by Ta’darious Washington to take the lead back from Bolles, making it 20-13 after the 2pt conversion in the third.
Raines on the board first in the second half. 2pt conversion is GOOD
— Christian Schultz (@schultzmedia_) August 24, 2024
Raines- 20
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The Bolles offense came out firing after the Raines touchdown. After a great kickoff return by wideout Chase Collier, the Bulldogs would be set up in great field position. Just a couple plays later, Ethan Drumm would find Naeem Burroughs in the back of the endzone to tie the game at 20.
Raines would then march right back down the field, as Ta’darious Washington would find the endzone again for another rushing touchdown, making it 26-20 after a failed 2pt conversion. Raines found running room behind 5-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas and Syon Hawkins, McKinley Alexander and Arundai Mitcherll.
A few short possessions later, the Bulldogs defense would force a fumble and recover. However, the offense would only be able to turn it into 3 points and have to settle for a field goal to end the action packed 3rd quarter.
On the first play of the 4th quarter, TJ Cole would find Adron Walker along the sideline, making a spectacular one handed grab and taking it in the endzone to extend the Viking lead, to 32-23.It was Walker’s second touchdown of the night.
Raines defense would hold strong the entire 4th quarter, not allowing any points and making it very difficult for the Bulldogs to move down the field. Micah Merritt, Jyon Simon, and Tony Washington just to name a few defenders, as the Viking defense sealed the win, as the offense ran out the clock of an amazing game.
In recent matchups, Bolles has gotten the best of Raines. However the Vikings got their revenge Friday night in an impressive week 1 victory over the Bulldogs, defeating them 32-23. The Vikings wanted this one bad, ever since Bolles bounced them out of the playoffs for the second consecutive year last November. Their anticipation was achieved and now Raines travels to Sandalwood (0-1) next week, while Bolles travels to Trinity Christian (1-0).
Photos by Christian Schultz
