- April 26, 2024
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Kiera Williams (8) tries to avoid a defender near the Mainland sideline. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland flag football players celebrate the 20-8 win over Atlantic. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Quarterback Kasey Collins (5) reaches for yards as her flag is pulled. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Adrianna Mallumaci scores a touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Bucs. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Sarah Lingo (15) congratulates teammates after the victory. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Kiera Williams reaches for yards after making a catch. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Kiera Williams (8) and her teammates celebrate. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland's Kasey Collins throws a pass. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Quarterback Brielle Jackson scrambles out of the pocket. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Adrianna Mallumaci (10) reaches for yardage before her flag is pulled. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Kiera Williams (8) rushes the quarterback while Kaitlin Barba (1) and Cadence Haley (23) stay back in pass coverage. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Mainland flag football players celebrate their 20-8 win against Atlantic. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Recent offensive struggles have been a concern for Mainland’s flag football team. But after beating Atlantic 20-8 on Thursday, March 21, at the Buccaneers’ home field, Mainland’s players are confident they can repeat last year’s run to the final four.
The Bucs scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns against the Sharks to end a four-game losing streak.
“We finally got some things clicking,” Mainland coach Ethan Simpson said. “The defense gave us some short yardage situations that gave us an opportunity at the end to score some points. I’m proud of the effort of the girls.”
Mainland gave up a touchdown and a safety to trail 8-0 early, but Adrianna Mallumaci caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter to make it 8-7 at the half, and Kiera Williams and Mallumaci each caught touchdowns in the final three minutes to put the game away.
Mainland improved to 5-4 heading into spring break. The Bucs' 20 points were the most they have scored since their first two games of the season when they beat Deltona 27-6 and Sanford Seminole 21-6 on Feb. 20-21.
“We just needed something to kick us into gear to play like Bucs, so this game really brought that for us,” Williams said. “It was just great energy, great vibes from the home crowd.”
Mallumaci jumped high to catch the Bucs’ final touchdown from quarterback Brielle Jackson. Mallumaci then added the extra-point catch.
“I know we've been going through stuff, but we knew we need to bring the old Mainland Bucs back,” Mallumaci said. “We're hoping to go farther than the final four this year. We’re trying to be state champions.”
The Bucs’ defense has been solid all season. They held Five Star Conference champ Spruce Creek to a total of 20 points in two losses, and they have allowed more than 13 points in a game just once.
“We started off 4-0, and we played some really good teams in Spruce Creek and New Smyrna — well-coached teams in the area,” Simpson said. “We played with them, but for some reason on offense, we haven't been able to finish lately. So this is encouraging going into spring break to give us a win.”
After the break, Mainland ends the regular season at Apopka on April 3 and at home against Lake Mary on April 4.
