Mainland shuts out rivals, secures district title

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

The Bucs didn’t need a flawless performance to rout their crosstown rivals, the Seabreeze Sandcrabs (1-8, 1-4) 35-0 Friday, Oct. 30, at Municipal Stadium.

After getting marching down field on its first possession, Mainland (9-1, 5-0) botched a snap that the Sandcrabs recovered, but Seabreeze was unable to capitalize on the Bucs’ mistake. Mainland would eventually get the ball back, and the Bucs took it back down field, and Cyrus Fagan, who started at quarterback, scored on a four-yard run.

In the second quarter, Randy Baker returned a punt 45 yards for a second Mainland touchdown, but the two-point conversion was no good. Later in the half, the Bucs put in Kevin McCrary, who bulldozed through two defenders for a four-yard touchdown run, and the two-point conversion was good to give Mainland a 21-0 halftime lead.

Coming out the break, Denzel Houston took over at quarterback and led two consecutive touchdown drives to give Mainland a 35-0 lead, which started the running clock. Houston eluded a couple of sacks and threw off of his back foot to C.J. Wilson, who walked in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. Houston kept the ball on the last touchdown to score from five yards out.

With the win, Mainland clinched another district championship and a 23 consecutive bid to the playoffs.

The Bucs will have a week off before going into the postseason, and the Sandcrabs will host Flagler Palm Coast in their season finale at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Municipal Stadium.