News Summary
The Jacksonville Raines Vikings have unveiled their football schedule, featuring a highly anticipated opener against Miami Central. After a successful previous season, Raines aims to build on their performance while facing various formidable opponents. The community can look forward to exciting matchups, including a Homecoming game against reigning champions Madison County. With returning talent and a new coaching landscape, the Vikings are set for a competitive season ahead.
Jacksonville – The Jacksonville Raines Vikings have officially announced their much-anticipated football schedule for the 2025 season, which is poised to open with a thrilling home match against the renowned Miami Central Rockets on August 23rd. Miami Central is known for its impressive legacy, including nine state championships, making this inaugural game a significant event for both teams and their fanbases.
In the previous season, Raines demonstrated skill and resilience, concluding the 2024 season with a remarkable 13-1 record and earning the title of Class 3A state runner-up. Their journey ultimately fell short as they were defeated by Miami Northwestern in the state championship finals held last December. The upcoming match against Miami Central is expected to draw thousands of supporters from both Jacksonville and Miami, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
While an exact kickoff time for the opener has yet to be determined, excitement is already building around the clash. The Miami Central Rockets will arrive with a new head coach, Derrick Gibson, who has transitioned from assistant coaching duties at Florida Atlantic University. Gibson brings valuable high school coaching experience from the Miami-Dade area and boasts a successful record during his tenure at Killian, where he led the team to an impressive 26-6 record from 2019 to 2021. The Rockets will also feature standout players such as safety/linebacker Karon Maycock, who has committed to play for Florida State University, and running back Jayden Ford, committed to Florida International University.
The Vikings have an exciting schedule lined up for the 2025 season, which includes various key matchups, highlighting their competitive spirit. Following the opening game against Miami Central, they will host Sandalwood on August 29. Raines will also face notable opponents such as Trinity Christian Academy, a Class 1A semifinalist, on September 5, and Lake Mary, a Class 7A runner-up, during a road game on September 12. The team’s Homecoming game against reigning Rural state champion Madison County is scheduled for October 10.
Raines will showcase some of its top talent throughout the season, with key returning players who had significant impacts in previous seasons. Linebacker Tony Williams, who is committed to Illinois, along with offensive player of the year T.J. Cole, will look to lead the Vikings as they aim for a successful season.
The complete Raines Vikings 2025 football schedule is as follows:
- Preseason game at KIPP Academy on August 15
- vs. Miami Central on August 23
- vs. Sandalwood on August 29
- at Trinity Christian Academy on September 5
- at Lake Mary on September 12
- at Jacksonville Riverside on September 26
- at Jacksonville Ribault on October 4
- vs. Madison County on October 10
- vs. Creekside on October 17
- vs. Yulee on October 24
- at Atlantic Coast on October 31
In addition to the excitement surrounding Raines’ schedule, the broader coaching landscape in Northeast Florida is also undergoing changes. Several schools, including First Coast, Union County, and Tocoi Creek, have recently appointed new head coaches. Tocoi Creek has named Kevin Doelling as their full-time head coach for the upcoming season after he successfully guided the team through spring football.
Moreover, individual accolades in other sports have garnered attention, as Trinity Christian pitcher Aaron Watson and St. Johns Country Day pitcher Brayden Harris have been nominated for the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball award. Their nominations reflect the exceptional talent present in local high school athletics.
The 2025 football season for the Jacksonville Raines Vikings promises to be filled with excitement and competitive challenges as the team seeks to build on last year’s impressive performance and strive for championship glory.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com: Jacksonville Raines vs. Miami Central
- Jacksonville.com: Raines-Miami Central Matchup
- SI.com: Raines 2025 Schedule Announcement
- News4Jax: Raines vs. Miami Northwestern
- Wikipedia: High School Football in Florida
