News Summary
Raines High School has officially canceled its season opener against Miami Central, initially set for August 23. This comes as a disappointment to fans and players alike, as both teams were highly ranked. While the reason for the cancellation has not been disclosed, Raines may now have a nine-game schedule. Refunds for ticket purchases are being processed, and Raines is focused on preparing for their upcoming game against Sandalwood on August 29, hoping to maintain their competitive edge after a strong showing last season.
Jacksonville, FL – Raines High School has announced the cancellation of its football season opener against Miami Central, originally scheduled for August 23. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 14, via the school’s official social media accounts.
Neither Raines nor Miami Central has provided a reason for the cancellation, leaving fans and players in the dark about the circumstances surrounding the decision. As of now, there are no plans to reschedule the game, which means Raines could potentially have a nine-game schedule for the upcoming season. The team does have the option to secure a new opponent for either the week of August 22 or for September 19, previously marked as a bye week.
Fans who purchased tickets to the event will receive refunds through GoFan, and the information regarding the refund process has been communicated through the school’s social media channels. The cancellation has drawn disappointment from supporters excited for the matchup between two highly ranked teams.
Miami Central is currently ranked No. 11 while Raines holds the No. 20 spot in the USA TODAY Florida Network Super 25 rankings. The Cancellations of games are not new to Raines; last season also saw a major disruption when they had to cancel a game against Madison County due to Hurricane Milton, which subsequently went on to win the Florida High School Athletic Association Rural championship.
The inability to hold the game this season was attributed to logistical challenges in securing a suitable start time that adhered to safety and weather conditions, as explained by a representative from the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).
Despite this setback, Raines is preparing to start its official season at home against Sandalwood on August 29. On August 15, the Raines football team will host a kickoff classic at KIPP Bold City to rally support and gear up for the regular season.
Last season, Raines achieved an impressive unbeaten record during the regular season, winning all 13 of their games. However, their journey ended in the Class 3A state final when they faced Miami Northwestern. Meanwhile, Miami Central had a rocky previous season, starting with an impressive 8-1 record before having to forfeit eight games due to an ineligible player on their roster.
As the fall football season approaches, fans and players are hopeful for a strong showing from Raines, despite the disappointment of having to cancel their highly anticipated opening game. The team is now focused on preparing for their upcoming matchup against Sandalwood, setting their sights on maintaining their competitive edge.
For fans interested in following the Raines football program this season, a promotional offer is available for a yearly NFHS Network pass that provides access to live broadcasts of games. Utilizing the promo code USATODAY25 before September 7, fans can receive a 25% discount on their subscription for the year 2025.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Jacksonville.com
- Google Search: Florida High School Football Cancellation
- News4JAX
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football (Sport)
- Sports Illustrated
- Google News: Raines High School Football
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