JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The high school football season will start a little late for one of the First Coast’s biggest programs.

Raines High School announced its game against Miami Central to start the regular season was canceled.

“It would’ve been crazy,” said Raines Alumni Purdy. “It would’ve been standing room only.”

Purdy was expecting to see hundreds of people in the stands for the regular season opener against Miami Central.

But instead, the stadium will sit empty after the game was canceled.

“We’ve got plenty of scouts, plenty of news, and extensive coverage,” stated Purdy. “Taking that away from the kids is the hardest hit for us.”

In a post on X, Raines High School discussed refunds, noting “some elements were beyond our control in this matter” and stamped the word canceled over the Miami Central game.

The head coach at Raines mentioned that Duval County Schools requested to advance the game’s time to two o’clock or to have it played on Friday, but Miami Central wasn’t able to adjust to these last-minute travel changes.

The DCPS commented on the situation in a statement, mentioning: “Regrettably, we couldn’t settle on terms and timing with the other team that satisfied both our security demands and ensured safe weather conditions.”

“Not having that game when it comes to the points and rating system, the playoff time, it really affects us in a bad way,” Purdy said.

An assistant coach expressed that the team viewed this crucial match against a well-known national rival as an opportunity to build momentum following their previous state championship disappointment.

“These players have been gearing up for this for a significant time,” remarked Raines Coach’s Assistant D. Will. “They sought redemption. We all sought redemption. It’s unbelievable that it’s not happening.”

Purdy said he wouldn’t have missed game, wanting to see what the Vikings could do against some big competition.

“National powerhouse, coming to the graveyard to try to make a show happen for the city, for the fans, but we’ve been robbed,” Purdy said.

The Raines coach says his impression is that the game won’t count as a forfeit, but instead just a bye on the schedule.