- April 25, 2024
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Jasmine Hadley picks off Matanzas' quarterback to seal the Mainland victory. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Gabby Rudd makes the catch without getting touched and stretches over the goal line for the go-ahead Mainland score. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Leanne Kent made several first-down-saving flag pulls. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
After a rough start, Tahara Williams threw two touchdown passes and two point-conversion completions. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Hadley made two game-saving completions on fourth down and caught the first touchdown. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
As the halftime whistles blew, the Lady Buccaneers trailed 12-0 against the Matanzas Pirates, their fellow undefeated district team, on Thursday, April 13, at Matanzas.
With a renewed focus and instruction from head coach Scott Wilson, Mainland (9-0) returned to the field and held the Pirates (5-1) scoreless while scoring two touchdowns and converting two extra points to win 14-12.
“I told them we had to gain the momentum back,” Wilson, “and I think we did a good job defensively making stops, and we moved the ball downfield strategically with some valiant effort from our receivers.”
The Bucs converted three key fourth downs in the second half to keep both of their touchdown drives alive. Senior captain Jasmine Hadley and Gabrielle Rudd found themselves on the receiving end of those throws and on both of the touchdown catches. Hadley also caught both of the extra points, and she caught the game-clinching interception with less than a minute to play.
"We’ve never faced a team of that capacity before, so I was overjoyed that we beat them."
JASMINE HADLEY
“We started this week off pretty rough,” Hadley said, “so, to come out and finish strong makes me proud of my team and proud to be their leader. We’ve never faced a team of that capacity before, so I was overjoyed that we beat them.”
Despite early-game struggles, senior quarterback Tahara Williams remained calmed throughout the second half to lead the
Bucs to their ninth straight and most difficult win of the season.
“Our quarterback was amazing,” Wilson said. “After we failed to score on the play we thought was a touchdown, she looked at me said, ‘Coach, next play we got this.’ She’s so calm. I’m proud of them to have pulled it off in the end. I’m glad to face a little adversity; it’s good to have that now.”
Although the Bucs were able to pull off the win, Wilson acknowledged that Matanzas wasn’t in full strength without speedster Miracle Porter.
“I expect to see them make a playoff team,” he said. “Not having one of their best players makes a huge difference, so I know they’re going to be really good.”
With the win, Mainland clinched the No. 1 seed in the district and is projected to move up from its current No. 7 state ranking.
To see more game photos, click here: http://www.ormondbeachobserver.com/photo-gallery/photo-gallery-mainland-comes-back-to-remain-undefeated-and-hand-matanzas-its-first-loss-of-the-season?time=1492135241
