- April 18, 2024
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Mainland won another road game Nov. 23, securing the team's next stop in Naples, against the undefeated Golden Eagles.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
Mainland has been on the bus for 870 miles this season, going to and from away games.
The Buccaneers lost their first three road games, their only three losses this season, before winning their fourth consecutive road game Nov. 23, at Winter Haven, in the second round of the playoffs.
The Buccaneers also won their first round game on the road, against an undefeated Lake Gibson team.
“They’re kind of liking it,” head coach Scott Wilson said. “(They) get to get away a little early and do some walk-throughs and have a team meal and see some different places. These guys are road warriors.”
Since their 24-21 loss in Week 6, at New Smyrna Beach, a 40-mile trip, the Buccaneers have beaten Palm Bay (182-mile trip), Deltona (46-mile trip), Lake Gibson (210-mile trip) and Winter Haven (204-mile trip) away from Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.
The Buccaneers have at least one more road trip left, a 482-mile trip to Naples, to play an 11-0 Golden Eagles team, who, according to MaxPreps.com, have out-scored opponents 431-118 at home.
“We’ve been picked to lose every week (in the playoffs),” Wilson said. “We keep coming out and grinding and fighting. It’s just through hard work — and these guys really do never quit.”
Wilson was referring to players like Cameron Hadley.
The Buccaneers quarterback threw two interceptions Winter Haven brought back for touchdowns in Mainland’s 34-33 comeback victory. The second pick-six gave the Blue Devils a 33-27 lead with 5:48 left in the game.
“Cameron Hadley possess the ability, at any point in time, to be a strike, meaning he can make a play whenever we need it most,” Wilson said. “Everybody just believes in him and expects so much out of him. And he usually brings it to the table.”
Hadley watched from the sideline, following the interception, as his counterpart, Winter Haven quarterback Luke Borders, moved the Blue Devils into the red zone and looked to put the game out of reach.
However, Hadley also watched as sophomore Arthur Westbrook intercepted a Borders’ pass, giving him and his offense 2:24 to score.
On third-and-10, with 1:44 left in the game, and from his own 15-yard line, Hadley scrambled and picked up 43 yards. He then found Stephen Bostick, who made a diving catch, to get the Buccaneers to the two-yard line, down by six points.
Then Hadley handed the ball to Jontey Byrd, who crashed his way into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.
Borders and the Blue Devils then worked their way down field, this time looking for a game-winning score. Their field goal fell short, though, and the Bucs rushed the field to celebrate.
Hadley wasn’t the only player making major contributions in the game, however. He wasn’t even the only member of the senior class doing so.
Linebacker Quinton Powell knocked down a Borders’ pass on the final Blue Devils' drive.
Byrd scored ran for two touchdowns and contributed on the defensive line.
Bostick made the biggest catch of the game.
And David White had a touchdown catch, a 56-yard reception and key kickoff return to put the Buccaneers into Winter Haven territory.
“I’m proud of that senior class,” Wilson said. “There’s a group of them that just bring everybody up around them, no doubt about it.”
