Despite second-half comeback, Mainland falls to DeLand in season opener

The Buccaneers almost completed a huge comeback in the second half — but it fell short in the game's final moments.

By Ray Boone
| 9:10 a.m. August 27, 2019

Mainland's Nate Braswell carries the ball in the season opener against DeLand. Photo courtesy of Wright Smith

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

The Buccaneers were down 21-3 through much of three quarters in their season-opener on the night of Friday, Aug. 23, against DeLand — but they stormed back.

Mainland quarterback Taron Keith connected with receiver Theodore Lockley for a 59-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-10 at the end of the third quarter, and Keith would later rush for an 8-yard score of his own in the fourth quarter. A successful 2-point conversion put the Buccaneers down 3 with 2:40 left in regulation.

Mainland’s Jordan Jackson sacked DeLand quarterback Jadyn Nirschl to give the offense the ball back with under 2 minutes to go.

The Buccaneers got all the way down to DeLand’s 35-yard line — but failed to score.

DeLand defeated Mainland 21-3 at Daytona Stadium. It was the Bulldogs’ second win in a row against the Buccaneers (0-1).

"I liked the fact that we never gave up, and we fought through to the end," Buccaneers head coach Scott Wilson said. "It would have been easy to lay down, and they didn't. The grit was awesome."

However, Wilson said he was displeased with costly turnovers. The Buccaneers fumbled the ball inside their own 5 twice.

"That was unfortunate," he said.