State championships, a down year for the Jags, and the local Olympics: These were the top sports stories in Jacksonville in 2024.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the year comes to an end, News4JAX takes a look back at the most notable sports stories of 2024.

Some of those stories include Raines High School reaching the state championship, the Jaguars owner saying this year’s team was “the most cohesive ever” before being eliminated from the playoffs after Week 13, and the residents of ‘ several who had an impact on the Paris Olympics.

The year also saw Jacksonville continue to host iconic games such as the Georgia-Florida game and clear the final hurdle to secure funding to build the new EverBank Stadium. improved. The city also hosted its first women’s major league game.

This list is made up of the most read stories on News4JAX.com as well as the biggest stories of the year.

Continue below to reminisce about an unforgettable year of sports in Jacksonville, and comment below with the sports story you’re most excited to follow in 2025!

‘We gave it away’: Big slump ends as Jaguars miss playoffs

The Jaguars ended the 2023-2024 season with a disappointing 28-20 road loss against the Tennessee Titans. If the Jags had won, they would have punched their ticket to the postseason.

A ‘super basic’ man stole $22M from his hometown Jaguars and became ‘FanDuel’s biggest loser’

After earning a master’s degree in business and landing a job with his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, Amit Patel used his middle-level position in the team’s finance department to steal more than $22.2 million, according to federal prosecutors.

History! Scottie Scheffler becomes 1st golfer to win back-to-back Masters Championship

Scottie Scheffler, who battled neck pain all week that forced him to take an extended break to work on physical therapy for his sore neck, erased a 5-shot deficit to enter the final and won his second consecutive first place title at The Players Championship in. one stroke at the end he did not see.

The Jaguars drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round

The Jaguars needed a No. 1 receiver. 1 to match their bodies that receive high-priced goods. They got it from Brian Thomas Jr. (BTJ), a 6’3, 210-pounder who led the nation with 17 catches while playing at LSU in 2023.

It is safe to say that the nominee has already paid the premiums. In his rookie year, Thomas broke the rookie records for yards (previous mark was 865) and touchdowns (previous mark was 7), the latter of which was It’s been a tough season for the Jaguars.

Fast forward: Creekside star Christian Miller places 3rd in U20 100 meters in world

Creekside senior sprinter Christian Miller broke the American record for U20 runners in 2024, clocking a scorching 9.93 in the 100 meters at the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in Clermont.

The local athlete also came close to qualifying for a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics but missed out by a tenth of a second, which is about the time it takes to blink.

Local athletes are heading to France for the 2024 Olympics

Athletes with ties to the Jacksonville area appeared at the 2024 Paris Olympics across a wide range of sports, however, aquatics was the area where representation was most felt.

These are the athletes with ties to the 904 who went to Paris for the Olympics.

• Mariandree Chacón, attends Jacksonville University (Track and Field)

• Kyle Coon, Paxon School of Advanced Studies (Paratriathlon)

• McKenna DeBever, Bishop Kenny grad (Swimming)

• Margin Espernberger, Bolles grad (Swimming)

• Eduardo Garcia, Mandarin High School grad (marathon runner)

• Sabrina Lyn, Bolles grad (Swimming)

• Lucero Mejia Arce, Bolles grad (Swimming)

• Djordje Mihailovic, born in Jacksonville (Soccer)

• Morgan Ray, Bartram Trail High School student (Para swimming)

• Gemma Wollenschlaeger, St. Augustine Beach native, (para rowing)

Jaguars ‘Stadium of the Future’ clears final hurdle, unanimously approved by NFL owners

NFL owners voted unanimously to agree to a stadium deal between the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville, paving the way for the Stadium of the Future to become a reality.

The Jaguars will play at EverBank Stadium as usual in 2025 and will be reduced in 2026. The biggest changes will come in 2027 when the Jaguars will play home games at a location to be determined, possibly Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping. Orlando World Stadium.

‘This is one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen on a QB: Trevor Lawrence’s brutal hit’

The injury to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Sunday’s game against the Texans sparked a huge backlash on social media, with NFL analyst and former quarterback Chase Daniel saying it was “a bad song about the best I’ve ever seen from a QB.”

The hit ended Lawrence’s season for good, with the team placing him on injured reserve, requiring him to miss at least four games.

The NFL suspended Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair without pay for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules after the violent hit, which caused a concussion.

Mayor Deegan, USL officials announce the arrival of the first women’s major league sports team in Jacksonville.

Officials of the United Soccer League (USL), the University of North Florida, and the City of Jacksonville have announced the arrival of the city’s first women’s major league sports team.

“Sporting JAX will be a great addition to the league, and we look forward to seeing them take the field at UNF in the future,” said Amanda Vandervort, USL Super League president.

Raines makes it to the title match

The Rains trailed by nine at the half but rallied behind several Booker mistakes to claim a 28-23 victory in the state championship.

The Vikings went on to represent Jacksonville in the state championship game, taking on a Miami Northwestern team led by former NFL player Teddy Bridgewater.

The Ranes would go on to lose the game, but the team put together a great 2024 season, finishing with a 13-1 record and their district runners-up, which gave their alums plenty of reason to to be happy in the future.