- April 22, 2024
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Seabreeze is in control of its playoff destiny.
With the Sandcrabs' 31-7 victory over Orlando Bishop Moore on Oct. 15 at Daytona Stadium, Seabreeze (4-4) took over first place in District 7-5A with a 2-0 record and two games to play.
With wins over Pine Ridge (Oct. 22) and Atlantic (Oct. 29) -- two teams with a combined 3-9 record -- Seabreeze would clinch the district title and an automatic playoff bid.
Big plays propelled the Sandcrabs to their win over the Hornets. Chris Lewis returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Blake Boda fired two long touchdown passes -- 45 yards to Tashod Troutman and 42 yards to Peyton Schofield. And Eli Campbell returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown.
The Sandcrabs are on the road against Pine Ridge, and return home against Atlantic (1-5) in what could end with a playoff celebration. Their bye on Nov. 5, the season's final week, seems perfectly placed.
Mainland made its game against Orlando Jones interesting with three second-half touchdowns. But the Bucs' 33-21 loss to the top team in its district on Oct. 15 made their playoff chances more difficult.
The Bucs, who have reached the playoffs in 27 straight years, will need to beat District 6-6A opponent New Smyrna Beach on Oct. 22 to remain alive in the race.
Jonathan Campbell threw touchdown passes of 29 and 70 yards to James Randle in the loss to Jones (5-2 overall, 3-0 in the district).
Mainland (3-4, 1-1) entered the game with a sixth-place RPI ranking among the teams in its region. Eight teams -- the four district champs and the next four teams according to the their RPI -- advance to the playoffs.
The Bucs' killer schedule helps their RPI, but they will need to win two of their final three games, and possibly all three to keep their playoff streak alive. After NSB (5-2), they face South Lake (1-6) and Bolles (6-0).
