Raines vs. Ribault: What to watch in Northwest Classic football

NRAEVS CLASSIC FOOTBALL, 57TH EDITION: Ribault faces off against Raines in a championship matchup. The game will take place at Earl S. Kitchings Stadium on Saturday, October 31 at 2 p.m.

Raines, with a record of 9-0, holds a significant lead in the series, having won 42-14 against Ribault. In the previous year's match, Raines scored 53 points while Ribault could not secure a victory.

The reigning Class 3A champion Raines aims for its series-record 10th consecutive Northwest Classic win. Ribault last triumphed in this rivalry back in 2016.

Raines has already secured the District 3-3A title and is expected to receive the No. 1 seed in Region 1-3A for the FHSAA playoffs beginning on November 13. On the other hand, Ribault is currently ranked No. 16 in Region 1-4A and faces slim chances of making it to the playoffs according to MaxPreps standings.

When Ribault has possession of the ball, the Trojans have shown improvement but still face a challenging situation. They boast a 1,000-yard passer in junior Leo Taylor and Jayden Mills who averages 7.9 yards per carry. However, Raines' formidable pass rush, spearheaded by Troy Butler and Chenaniah Doran, poses a significant threat.

Raines' defense is enthusiastic and eager to create turnovers. Key players like Zion Green, Tacori Allen in the secondary and Johdeem Jones, Nate Bennett at linebacker have excelled in recovering fumbles. Raines' agile running back TJ Williamson, who has amassed 699 yards, adds to their explosive offense.

Sa Mon Ellison-Morgan, a four-star recruit for Rivals, has shown significant improvement as a sophomore quarterback with 1,234 passing yards and numerous receiving targets. Breon Bethea and Benson Candy are also crucial defensive players for Ribault. However, Jalen Peters, their edge rusher, remains the top threat with 10 tackles for loss this year and three sacks in the previous Northwest Classic.