The Raines varsity football team from Jacksonville, FL, will host the Booker Tornadoes from Sarasota, FL, in a home playoff game today at 6:30 PM at Raines. This matchup is part of the “2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 3A FHSAA Football” tournament.

Booker vs Raines High School Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: Booker vs Raines
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 6:30pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 3A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Booker vs Raines

The Raines Vikings (12-0) welcome the Booker Tornadoes (10-3) for a thrilling home playoff game today at 6:30 PM in Jacksonville, FL, as part of the “2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 3A FHSAA Football” tournament. Both teams have showcased dominance this season, setting the stage for a must-watch showdown.

Season Overview

Raines comes into the game undefeated, boasting a perfect 12-0 record and a commanding performance in district play (2-0). The Vikings have been formidable at home, winning all seven of their home games this season.

Booker, with a strong 10-3 overall record, went undefeated in district play (3-0) and has proven to be a scoring powerhouse, averaging over 50 points per game. However, the Tornadoes have faced challenges on the road, posting a 2-2 away record.

Team Comparisons

Offense:

• Booker holds a slight edge in scoring, averaging 50.6 points per game compared to Raines’ 47.6. They’ve been particularly explosive in the first quarter, averaging an impressive 21.9 points.
• Raines counters with balanced offensive firepower, averaging 397.5 total yards per game to Booker’s 371.0. Quarterback Timothy Cole (#4) has been a standout, contributing 277.9 total yards per game.

Defense:

• Raines’ defense has been slightly stronger, allowing just 164 points this season compared to Booker’s 182. The Vikings also lead in tackles (67.3 per game) and sacks (4.2 per game).
• Booker’s defense is anchored by Karaijus Hayes (#4), who averages 8.7 tackles per game, and Kevontay Hugan (#10), with 1.4 sacks per game.

Key Players to Watch:

• Booker:
  • DJ Johnson (#22): A dynamic running back, averaging 112.9 rushing yards per game and 9.4 points per game.
  • Ryan Downes (#9): A prolific quarterback, throwing for 255.8 passing yards per game while contributing 255.8 total yards per game.
  • Tyren Wortham (#2): A key target in the passing game, averaging 104.0 receiving yards per game.
• Raines:
  • Ta’darius Washington (#21): The Vikings’ leading rusher, averaging 74.2 yards per game and 9.7 points per game.
  • Timothy Cole (#4): A dual-threat quarterback, excelling with 218.3 passing yards per game and 277.9 total yards per game.
  • Adron Walker (#2): A reliable receiving option, averaging 58.8 yards per game.

Scoring Trends

Booker excels at fast starts, with their highest scoring average in the first quarter, while Raines builds momentum as the game progresses, peaking in the second quarter with 19.1 points on average. Both teams, however, show a slight decline in scoring in the later quarters, emphasizing the importance of early-game execution.

What to Expect

This matchup pits Booker’s explosive offense against Raines’ balanced attack and strong defensive presence. For Booker, the key to success will be capitalizing on their first-quarter dominance to build an early lead. On the other hand, Raines will rely on their home-field advantage and steady playmaking to maintain control throughout the game.

Both teams are riding postseason momentum with identical 3-0 playoff records, but Raines’ undefeated season adds extra pressure for the Vikings to defend their perfect record.

Will Raines continue their streak and advance, or will Booker pull off an upset on the road? Fans won’t want to miss this high-stakes battle.