- April 24, 2024
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Mainland quarterback Jake Novello (No. 17) celebrates a touchdown run in the third quarter against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland receiver Brian Jenkins runs the ball in the first quarter against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Jalen Miranda is tackled by a gang of Mainland defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers quarterback Richard Kamara scores on a 41-yard run in the first quarter against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland offensive lineman Adonis Boone throws a defender down. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Brian Jenkins runs the ball against the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers running back D'andre Mcmillan runs the ball in the second half against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers quarterback Richard Kamara attempts a throw against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze quarterback Jadyn Nirschel is sacked by Mainland. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze quarterback Jadyn Nirschl is brought down by a Mainland defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Buccaneers quarterback Jake Novello rolls out of the pocket for a pass. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze running back Anthony Gillam runs with the ball in the third quarter against Mainland. Photo by Ray Boone
Sandcrabs quarterback Jadyn Nirschl rolls out of the pocket against Mainland. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Jalen Miranda leaps over a defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze head coach Troy Coke on the sideline against Mainland. Photo by Ray Boone
The game was all but over: Mainland’s offense was rolling, and Seabreeze’s offense couldn’t score points. But that didn’t stop Buccaneers cornerback Ra’mello Dotson from jumping a route and intercepting a pass by Sandcrabs quarterback Jadyn Nirschl with three seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Dotson didn’t take a knee, though. With feet as quick as gossip, the sophomore defender sped down the sideline, avoiding a slew of would-be tacklers, and after 90 yards, found himself in the end zone. And his whole team — coaches and players alike — was there to celebrate with him.
“That last play was so darn exciting, I was just looking for flags as everybody celebrated,” Mainland coach Scott Wilson said. “That young man, he was just special on that play, and I’m proud of him for doing that.”
In Mainland’s final game of the regular season, the Buccaneers (6-3, 4-0) took down rival Seabreeze 44-0 on the night of Friday, Oct. 27, at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.
After a difficult start to the season, in which Mainland endured three losses in four games, the Buccaneers have finally found their stride.
In addition to Dotson, five other Buccaneers scored touchdowns, including a 50-yard punt return by receiver Brian Jenkins Jr. and a 41-yard option run by quarterback Richard Kamara for the first two scores of the game.
“We’ve gotten into a rhythm. We’ve gotten into a groove,” Kamara said. “Everybody is doing their jobs. I’ve just got to keep getting better, too.”
Over the last four games, Mainland has outscored its opponents 183-3, and Friday night’s win over the Sandcrabs ensured three-straight shutouts for the Buccaneers’ defense. And for the first time this season, Wilson said he is starting to see his team come together.
“We have come together as a team and as a unit, and you can tell that in the locker room, in meetings and in film sessions,” he said. “Our kids have come together and bought in, and they’re doing everything for each other in a selfless manner.
“They’ve become a different football team.”
With the regular season concluded, Mainland’s attention now shifts over to the postseason. The Buccaneers have a bye week before the start of the playoffs on Nov. 10, but this team won’t be resting.
“We do not take any week off — ever,” Wilson said. “We’re grinding and working. ... We’re prepared, we’ve already planned the week out and we’re good to go.”
