- April 18, 2024
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While Mainland got the win it needed, Seabreeze clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2007.
Eddie Whipple rushed for over 150 yards with two touchdowns as the Bucs defeated New Smyrna Beach 40-21 on Oct. 22.
Mainland (4-4 overall, 2-1 in District 6-6A) was ranked seventh in the region in RPI before its critical district victory at New Smyrna and needs to remain among the top eight to make the playoffs for the 28th straight year.
The Bucs have two regular-season games remaining including their final home game, Thursday, Oct. 28, against Groveland South Lake. Mainland's strength of schedule should be an advantage in the final RPI rankings, even if it loses on Nov. 5 at Jacksonville Bolles.
Seabreeze, meanwhile, is guaranteed a home playoff game on Nov. 12 after clinching the District 7-5A championship. In his third season with the Sandcrabs, coach Pat Brown has turned around a program that went 1-10 in 2018.
Blake Boda passed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in just one half of action as the Sandcrabs (5-4, 3-0) thrashed Pine Ridge 54-0 on Oct. 22. Dimitri Campbell had two touchdown catches.
Seabreeze hosts Atlantic on Oct. 29 in its final regular-season game and then has a week off to prepare for the playoffs.
