JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s rivalry week on Jacksonville’s north side as the Raines Vikings prepare to face their longtime rival, the Ribault Trojans, in the Northwest Classic on Saturday.
Donovan Masline’s Vikings have played outstanding football all season. In fact, Masline has made it clear their mission is to win the state title.
Undefeated at 5-0, Raines has knocked off teams like Bolles, Trinity Christian and Mainland in impressive fashion.
While Ribault has only won one game this season, the Vikings know records don’t matter when they clash, as anything can happen in a rivalry game.
"They say it’s a rivalry, but it’s not really a rivalry if one team is beating the other multiple times, so I don’t think it’s a rivalry," Raines wide receiver Ziyon Butler said.
"It is a district game. This game has playoff implications, so even though it’s a rivalry game, it’s also a district game that we must win if we want to continue on our journey toward our mission," Masline said.
The Trojans, who are under new head coach Michael Hunter, have won just one of their last six games.
Hunter said the Trojans are still in a building phase, with much to learn and room for growth.
Despite facing the unbeaten Raines Vikings, the Trojans plan to bring their best game on Saturday and aren't letting the stats define them.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at Raines High School.