In Jacksonville, Florida, winning a state championship is an extraordinary achievement. However, for the Jackson brothers, the feat was magnified by their unique position in the school’s legacy. “To be the first to achieve something like this carries immense significance,” Shamar Jackson, the elder brother, expressed. “We’ve become a permanent part of Raines’ history.”

Shamar paved the path as a pivotal safety on the 2017 Vikings team that clinched the state title with a narrow 13-10 victory over Cocoa. Fast forward eight years, and it was Shareef’s time to shine. As a cornerback, he was instrumental in their dramatic 23-22 triumph over Miami Northwestern, a win that came in the dying seconds of the game.

“Our legacies are firmly established here,” Shareef noted. “It’s a perfect culmination of our efforts and dedication.”

“Both our legacies are cemented here, so it’s perfect,” Shareef said.

While a state championship is nothing to laugh at, the brothers both agree the 2025 title was more impressive and that Shareef is the better player.

Shareef’s talent was on full display, saving an almost certain touchdown right before the half with a forced fumble recovery.

“That pretty much changed the game because if they punched it in, we’re down 10-0 and that’s a hard fight to come back from,” Shareef said.

For longtime Raines Coach Al Ethridge Jr., known affectionately as Coach Tough, Shareef’s skills go beyond what he does in between the white lines.

“No one ever spirited a team the way Shareef has. You can feel his energy, his spirit, through the whole team,” Coach Tough said. It’s very electrifying.”

Shareef says he learned his leadership qualities first-hand from his brother, watching Shamar care for him after their Dad died when they were just five and thirteen years old.

“We grew up in rough times, so he always kept me doing the right thing; he was always like that father figure,” Shareef said. “He never let me get behind.”

“Making sure your five/six-year-old brother is still dressing up for practice, games. I’m on the sidelines coaching him while he’s playing because my dad did that for me, so I just wanted to keep that going on,” Shamar said.

Even though the brothers grew up without a father, they were never alone.

“I kind of assumed a lot of that responsibility in their lives and their personal lives because they are my family, we’re not related, but they’re my family,” Coach Tough said.

The brothers say that family is the very reason why persevered and made it to where they are today.

“For us to beat a lot of statistics and things thrown at us, our family is very proud of us because we could have been a lot of places,” Shamar said.

Shareef is signed on to play collegiately at Mercer and hopes to one day play in the NFL. His brother Shamar will be there for every step of it.