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Raines fans celebrate the Vikings' sixth straight win over Ribault. Raines held on to beat Ribault 30-19 in the 53rd Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
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Raines fans celebrate the Vikings' sixth straight win over Ribault. Raines held on to beat Ribault 30-19 in the 53rd Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

PHOTO ESSAY | Northwest Classic in pictures

Published on October 9, 2022 at 10:42 pm

The Northwest Classic is more than a football game. It’s an opportunity to be the Kings of Moncrief for a year.

Raines has held that crown for the last six seasons. The Vikings held on to beat Ribault 30-19 on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold out Earl Kitchings Stadium. The meeting was the 53rd time the two programs met.

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Raines co-captain Malik Ellison (66) shakes the hand of a Ribault co-captain Gary Nath Jr. prior to the 53rd Northwest Classic. Raines held on to beat Ribault 30-19 in the 53rd Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. The Vikings lead the all-time series 39-14. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

By the second quarter more than 4,500 people had poured into The Graveyard. Scores of others were left enjoying the revelry along Raines Avenue.

Two who did not make it inside were Gary Tripp II and Lekeisia Tripp. They never made it inside the game, but enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the food, festivities and conversation.

Gary Tripp II is a 1993 Raines graduate. Lekeisia Tripp is a 1993 Ribault graduate. They were a couple in high school and went different ways as adults before reuniting and marrying this summer. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Gary is a 1993 Raines graduate. Lekeisia is a 1993 Ribault alumna. The two dated in high school, went their separate ways, and reunited a few years ago. They married this July.

“It’s about both sides of Moncrief, which you know, this area, you know, it’s in our blood, it’s in the heart of the Northside,” Gary says. “…A lot of us grew up around each other. We know each other. We’re from the same circles. We went to elementary schools together, junior high’s together and it’s just in the heart of the culture of our you know, just a black culture (thing) mostly. And we love on each other man, we just have a great time every year.”

Ribault senior offensive lineman Gary Nath Jr. prepares to put on his jersey for his final Northwest Classic. Nath is a four-year starter for the Trojans. Raines held on to beat Ribault 30-19 in the 53rd Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. The Vikings lead the all-time series 39-14. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Saturday’s game was the first without Raines legends Jimmie Johnson and James Day, both of whom died in February. Johnson coached the Vikings for eight seasons, producing a 64-21-2 record before becoming Raines’ principal and a member of the Duval County School Board. Day was the longtime track and field coach who taught and served as the school’s athletic director.

Aja’h Donald, Raines Miss Senior 2023 says Raines is more than a school. It’s a mindset.

“My mother is actually a Trojan. Before Raines was an option for schools, I was always at the games,” Donald said. “I didn’t really care for them then. But, being able to be a part of it now, I deeply appreciate everyone here. From the band, to our players, everyone is working hard to make this a great experience. I’m proud to say I go here.”

Ribault quarterback Timothy Cole threw for two touchdowns in the loss. After his second, where he evaded the Vikings pressure and fired a 42-yard touchdown pass, one Raines fan lamented aloud: “That boy in 9th grade.”

The implication was he shouldn’t be able to dissect a Vikings defense that allowed more than 17 points just once this year.

Ribault quarterback Timothy Cole threw for a pair of touchdowns in the Northwest Classic and earned the respect from both Trojans and Vikings supporters. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Ribault scored 19 in the first half. However, the Raines defense stiffened. The Vikings defense has conceded only eight second half points in the past four Northwest Classics.

Raines junior Nicholas Kilpatrick returned a punt for a touchdown and returned an interception for a 101 yards with 38 seconds remaining to seal the Vikings win.

Raines players celebrate winning the 2022 Northwest Classic. Raines held on to beat Ribault 30-19 in the 53rd Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. The Vikings lead the all-time series 39-14. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

author image Reporter email Will Brown is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. He previously reported for the Jacksonville Business Journal. And before that, he spent more than a decade as a sports reporter at The St. Augustine Record, Victoria (Texas) Advocate and the Tallahassee Democrat. Reach him at will@jaxtoday.org.

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