JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Raines High School Vikings are still riding the high of their 3A state championship win, which capped a perfect season that the team dubbed its “Revenge Tour.”
The entire city is invited to join in the celebration on Saturday as it kicks into high gear with a parade through the streets of Jacksonville, starting at 9 a.m.
News4JAX will stream the entire parade for those who can’t make it in person. We will also have ongoing coverage throughout The Morning Show. Press play above to watch live.
The Vikings got revenge against Miami-Northwestern last week by a final score of 23-22 in the state title game, and last Saturday, thousands of jubilant supporters welcomed the Raines Vikings football team home.
“We changed a lot of things and how we operated just for that moment,” Vikings head coach Donovan Masline said. “The kids were locked in, no playing. They were hunting, they were together, they believed in each other, they believed in the coaching, and it showed last night.”
The victory resonated deeply across Jacksonville’s Northside community, representing more than just a win on the scoreboard.
“It means everything. This is Black excellence, the pride of the Northside,” Masline said. “We went down there to represent for Duval, and we came back and we did it well.”
Last week’s celebration highlighted the deep connection between the team and its community, which will continue to be on display this weekend with the parade.
Former Raines football player Isaiah Stallings explained the tradition: “It goes way back to our parents, grandparents. If you ever went to Raines… It’s the same thing with the Jaguars. We’re here whether we’re up, down, left, right.”
For the players, the victory marked the culmination of a year-long mission. “We waited all year for this,” said defensive end Troy Butler, whose personal story of perseverance touched many. Butler, who lost his mother two years ago, channels his emotions in his play. “I take all the anger I can out on the field,” he said.
His grandmother, Lisa Robinson, who took on guardianship after his mother’s passing, praised his character: “He’s a beautiful kid. He takes care of his siblings. He works hard, and I’m just so proud of him.”
The future remains bright for the Vikings, with key players like Butler returning next season. For graduating seniors like Shareef Jackson, who left the championship game with a broken foot, the victory provided the perfect finale.
“It’s the best way to ever go out,” Jackson said, noting that his brother won a state title with Raines in 2017. “It’s a blessing.”
The team’s linebacker, Johdeem Jones, emphasized the broader impact of their achievement: “It means a lot. It just shows that through hard work and dedication, we can accomplish anything as long as we stick together and continue to fight on.”
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