Raines survives scare and rolls over Ribault in Northwest Classic

For two quarters on Saturday afternoon, the fierce but friendly football rivalry between Raines and Ribault high schools had some elements of an upset for the home team. The Trojans led 7-6 at halftime and twice had stopped Raines inside their 20-yard line.

It might've looked like a surprise in the making for Ribault, but the Vikings didn't feel it. And they made sure it didn't happen in the second half, scoring 33 unanswered points, 20 in the fourth quarter, to win the annual Northwest Classic 39-7 at Ribault's Alvin White Stadium.

The Vikings (7-2, 3-0 in District 3-4A) dominated the third quarter and converted two drives of more than 60 yards into touchdowns and then capitalized on turnovers by Ribault (3-6, 0-3) to remove all suspense for the standing-room-only crowd.

Box Score: Raines 39, Ribault 7

Davonte Austin threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Keith Stallings to send the Vikings into the lead for good, and DeAndre Thomas moved in from wide receiver to throw a pair of touchdown passes, to Carlos Tarrats (5 yards) and Devonte Washington (20).

The Vikings' only pointless possessions in the second half were an interception and a clock-killing possession at the end.

Until then, Raines coach Deran Wiley said he was concerned that the Vikings were letting golden opportunities go to waste and bolstering Ribault's hopes.

Austin gave Raines a 6-0 lead in the first quarter with a 7-yard touchdown run. But Ribault edged ahead in the second quarter when Austin was pressured out of the pocket and his pass was intercepted by Khari Howard (his first of two) and returned to the Raines 26-yard line.

Kevin Williams threw a 22-yard completion to Joshua Anderson and then scored on a keeper from the 1. Darrin Anderson's extra point made it 7-6.

SO CLOSE, AND YET

The Vikings spent much of the rest of the quarter driving deep into Ribault territory - and coming up empty. They got as far as the 16, but Austin's fourth-down scramble came up short. Later they had first down on the Trojans 7 but went no farther.

"We dominated the first half, and I was upset at so many missed opportunities," Wiley said.

At halftime, the Vikings put his mind at ease.

Photo Gallery: Raines vs. Ribault in Northwest Classic

"Every man looked me in the eye and said, 'Coach, don't worry. We got 'em,'" Wiley said. "They were very good about that."

In addition to their productive possessions in the second half, the Vikings defense shut Ribault down, limiting the Trojans to 10 total yards (105 for the game).

Raines recovered two fumbles and intercepted passes by both quarterbacks who followed Williams into the game. Kenny Bynum returned a toss by Keion Westmoreland 15 yards for a touchdown.

Earlier, Jamaal Allicock picked off Rashard Youmans' pass and returned it 22 yards to set up a Vikings touchdown. It capped a bizarre trio of plays to start the fourth quarter that all resulted in turnovers.

"The defense was terrific," Wiley said. "They were lights out."

Said Ribault coach Anthony Flynn: "We couldn't get anything accomplished in the second half. Give Raines credit. We wish them well in the playoffs."

After wrapping up the regular season at home with a non-district game Thursday against Atlantic Coast, it's on to the playoffs and a chance for the Vikings and third-year coach Wiley to "do something special."

They beat Bolles to clinch the district championship two weeks ago and now have beaten their rival from a mile down the road.