- November 8, 2022
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Mainland wide receiver Ajai Harrell scored two touchdowns in the Region 3-3S semifinal game against Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland's defense is all over Rockledge's Cohen Graham-Johnson (7) during the Region 3-3S semifinal. Photo by Michele Meyers
Defender Ty Richmond huddles up with his teammates during a Mainland timeout. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland head coach Travis Roland directs his team from the sidelines at McClarty Stadium in Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Raider Jamarion Stephens tackles Clarence McCloud as Rockledge's D.J. McCormick (11) and Phineas Allen (6) wait for the call. Photo by Michele Meyers
Defender Ramon McCollough is helped off the field at the end of the second quarter. Luckily for Mainland, he was able to return in the third quarter and finish the game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Kicker Jacob Gettman knocks down a 31-yard field goal to give Mainland a 10-7 advantage before heading into the half. Photo by Michele Meyers
Coach Travis Roland's son Paxton Roland runs in with the Buccaneers during halftime. photo by Michele Meyers
Coach Travis Roland listens to the referee explain a situation during the game against Rockledge at McClarty Stadium. Photo by Michele Meyers
Coaches and players make the call on the sideline. Photo by Michele Meyers
Gavin Greathouse kicks for the Buccaneers after halftime during the game against Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ajai Harrell catches a touchdown pass from Mainland quarterback Damarcus Creecy. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland quarterback Damarcus Creecy maneuvers through traffic during the Region 3-3S semifinal game against Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Drayden Wood (25) runs off field with teammate Lawal McCray (11) after Wood dove for an interception that sealed Mainland's win against Rockledge in the Region 3-3S semifinal game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland players and coaches celebrate their win against the Rockledge Raiders. Photo by Michele Meyers
Jeramiah Davis and Bert Plummer are all smiles after the win against Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland Buccaneers celebrate after winning the Region 3-3S semifinal game against the Rockledge Raiders. Photo by Michele Meyers
In a game of lead changes and touchdowns by players wearing No. 1, the Mainland Buccaneers finally pulled ahead of the Rockledge Raiders in the last two minutes of the Region 3-3S semifinal to win 16-14 on Saturday, Nov. 20.
The Bucs are now one win away from the state semifinals. Mainland (9-3) heads to Jensen Beach (10-2) on Friday, Nov. 25 for the region final. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“We push these kids day in and day out. We practice every situation under the sun within the confines of the rules and things we are trying to do. These kids respond. I’m so proud of them. I’m so proud of this Mainland family. Not many times the away team can out-attend the home team. That shows the Mainland spirit and the Buc way...’’
TRAVIS ROLAND, head coach Mainland football team
“We push these kids day in and day out,” Mainland head coach Travis Roland said. “We practice every situation under the sun within the confines of the rules and things we are trying to do. These kids respond. I’m so proud of them. I’m so proud of this Mainland family. Not many times the away team can out-attend the home team. That shows the Mainland spirit and the Buc way. That’s what we keep talking about. The Buc way showed up tonight. It’s never easy, but the Buc way can always prove itself good when we show up. We are going to come out ready to play against Jensen.”
Mainland's Ajai Harrell started at quarterback, then in to receive for QB Damarcus Creecy in the first quarter.
Rockledge quarterback Jamarion Stephens, who has rushed for 999 yards this season, jumpstarted the game with a short pass to top receiver Eddie Combs. He ran for 35-yards scoring the first touchdown of the game.
The lead alternated throughout the night as Combs and Harrell, both sporting No. 1 on their jerseys, scored two touchdowns each. Mainland edged the Raiders with a 31-yard field goal by Jacob Gettman.
Rockledge’s defense attempted to smother Creecy’s running game. Creecy responded with two touchdown passes to Harrell. Cornerback Drayden Wood sealed the win after diving for an interception with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Creecy followed up with a pass to Harrell who drove the ball within 10 yards of the end zone.
“I feel great,” wide receiver Harrell said. “Great team win. We fought hard. We were down a couple times and came back, made plays. Coach would give me the ball and I’m just doing my thing. This was the number one team in our bracket for our region. We played hard and fought. We play Jensen Beach next. A tough team. We are ready to see them. We will prepare for them next week and take a win. Everybody needs to come in focused and not underestimate anybody.”
Mainland principal Joseph Castelli was all smiles at the end of the game.
“They are just amazing,” he said. “Great group of guys. Great group of coaches, just an amazing group to be around. They did Mainland proud tonight. It was really good.”
