Raines High School Cancels Football Season Opener

News Summary

Raines High School has canceled its football season opener against Miami Central, originally set for August 23. This decision was shared on social media, disappointing fans and players. Duval County Public Schools indicated that scheduling a safe game time posed challenges. Currently, there are no plans to reschedule, which may lead to an abbreviated season for Raines. The team, ranked No. 20 in the Florida Network Super 25, is set to begin its regular season at home against Sandalwood on August 29.

Jacksonville, FL – Raines High School has announced the cancellation of its football season opener against Miami Central, which was scheduled for August 23. The announcement was made on the morning of Thursday, August 14, via the school’s official Facebook and Instagram pages, leaving fans and players disappointed.

While both Raines and Miami Central have not disclosed the specific reasons behind this cancellation, a spokesman from Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) indicated that coordinating an acceptable start time for the game that ensured safe weather and adequate security was problematic. This has led to the unfortunate cancellation of what was anticipated to be a highly competitive match.

Currently, Raines High School does not have plans to reschedule the game, which may result in the team having an abbreviated nine-game schedule for the season. Raines does have the opportunity to secure a different match-up either in the weeks of August 22 or the scheduled bye on September 19, but no confirmation has been provided as of yet.

For fans who purchased tickets via GoFan for the now-canceled game, refunds will be processed. The school has also communicated information about these refunds through social media channels to ensure all affected individuals are well-informed.

Raines High School’s football team, which is currently ranked No. 20 in the USA TODAY Florida Network Super 25, boasted an impressive unbeaten regular season last year, finishing with a record of 13-0 before they faced a loss in the Class 3A state final against Miami Northwestern. Conversely, Miami Central began their previous season with a strong 8-1 record; however, they were ultimately forced to forfeit eight games due to fielding an ineligible player. Miami Central is currently ranked No. 11 in the same rankings.

This cancellation marks the second consecutive year that Raines has faced such an issue. Last season, their game against Madison County was canceled as a result of Hurricane Milton. Madison County subsequently went on to win the FHSAA Rural championship that year.

In the wake of this cancellation, Raines High School’s football program is scheduled to begin its regular season at home against Sandalwood on August 29. Additionally, the team plans to hold a kickoff classic on August 15 at KIPP Bold City, which will provide fans an opportunity to see the team play before the official start of the season.

The cancellation has been met with disappointment among fans, particularly given the significance of the match-up against a rival school. As updates continue to be shared, it remains imperative for fans to keep an eye on social media for the most current information regarding schedules and any new developments for the upcoming season.

In the meantime, readers have the opportunity to receive a 25% discount on a yearly NFHS Network pass for 2025 by using the promo code USATODAY25, provided they purchase it before September 7.

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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