28 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

Will Sutter
Jay Klosinski
Matthew Downey
Jackson Rainwater
Jesus Caballero
Connor Mathews
28 days (4 weeks) to kickoff of the 2023 Florida HS football season as the Navarre Raiders will host the Catholic Crusaders on 25 Aug 2023 at the comfy confines of Bennett C. Russell Stadium.
 
28 games ago – Navarre 52, Crestview 14 (2019)
 
Crestview…14 0 0 0 – 14
Navarre…21 24 7 0 – 52
 
This was the first game since 2010 that I didn’t broadcast as I was out of town to watch my son play (Miles College at Central State) in Wilberforce, Ohio. Bob Grant and Heath Childs (The Goat) called the game. The Raiders had an outside chance to make the playoffs, but even with the lopsided victory, the 2019 season came to an end.
 
Playing in their last game, seniors Marlon Courtney III and Tyler England would go on and break a couple of school records. Courtney completed 9 of 13 passes for 221 yards and a school record six touchdown passes. England hauled in five receptions for 129 yards and a school record four touchdown receptions, he also tied a school record with three interceptions on defense. Xayvion Thomas and AJ Arno contributed TD receptions as well.
 
Navarre’s defense forced five turnovers (4 interceptions/fumble) and blocked a field goal. Jeffery Mattox led the team in tackles with ten and Mekhi Domino had seven. Preston Penton had another double-digit scoring night as he was 7-7 on extra points and hit his only field goal attempt from 39 yards out.
 
28th win in school history – Navarre 26, Milton 23 (2004)
 
After losing their first four games in the series vs. Milton, the Raiders finally brought home their first win against their Santa Rosa County foe.
 
Raiders that have worn #28:
RB/DB Will Sutter – Class of 2014
LB Jay Klosinski – Class of 2016
DB Matthew Downey – Class of 2019
LS Jackson Rainwater – Class of 2021
RB Jesus Caballero – Class of 2022
RB Connor Mathews – Class of 2025
 
Statistics that involve #28:
28 – touchdown passes in a career – Austin Grimm (2006-07)
28 – touchdown passes in a career – Sage Chambers (2015-17)
28 – carries in a game – Michael Carter (2x) – (2016)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Nolan Garrett (2016)
28 – solo tackles in a season – James Segrest (2017)
28 – receptions in a season – Quinn Caballero (2017)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Jaden Rivera (2019)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Trey Bragg (2022)
 
Navarre is 19-9 in their last 28 games and leads the overall series against Crestview, 12-7.

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