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 was invited to join in the celebration on Saturday as it kicked into high gear with a parade through the streets of Jacksonville.
Bands from other area high schools, including Ed White, Terry Parker High, First Coast High and Ribault High -- Raines’ biggest area rival -- showed up to support the team and march in the parade.
Vikings head coach Donovan Masline rode with the trophy held high in a white Corvette convertible.
The Vikings earned that trophy when they 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,” 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.”
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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.”
The celebration has been happening all week long at the school, and deservedly so. The Vikings were undefeated, rolled through their competition throughout the season, and won the state championship in dramatic fashion.
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Not only that, but Masline was surprised with a pair of Super Bowl tickets, and Mayor Donna Deegan gave Masline a key to the city.
“What they did, not only on the field but academically this year, I think really should be lauded,” Deegan said. “And frankly, I just love the fact that Northwest Jacksonville is getting the respect that it deserves.”
This year marked the fourth state championship in program history, joining titles won by Welton Coffey (1997) and Deran Wiley (2017-18).
But Raines alumni said just because the team has been here before doesn’t make this victory any less special.
“The feeling is, this is our fourth championship, and every time it feels like the first time,” one Raines alum said.
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.
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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,” Jones said. “It just shows that through hard work and dedication, we can accomplish anything as long as we stick together and continue to fight on.”