While teams across the region kicked off their high school football seasons Friday night, the Raines Vikings found themselves in an uncomfortable position – sitting in the stands, watching other teams take the field.

“Not a good feeling at all,” wide receiver Ziyon Butler said. “We were supposed to be out there playing.”

The Vikings, last year’s state runner-up, had their season opener against Miami Central cancelled, forcing them to delay the start of their 2025 campaign. For senior Shareef Jackson, being a spectator was difficult.

“It just hurts my soul to see people out there playing,” Jackson said. “I love to watch football, but I love to play football. Watching people make plays that I know I can make – it’s heartbreaking.”

The Vikings won’t have to wait much longer. They’ll final

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