Defensive line is a brotherhood at Mainland High School

The Bucs have a history of producing standout defensive linemen. The current group wants to continue that legacy.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 11:00 a.m. August 13, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Sports
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Mainland football is known for its defense, inlcuding its defensive line. Talented defensive linemen have graduated from Mainland and gone on to have successful college and NFL careers.

Leonard Williams played at the University of Southern California and was a first-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2015. He is currently a defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks. Christian Hudson transferred from the University of Colorado to Boston College this year. L.J. McCray is at the University of Florida. And Ramon McCollough Jr. is at Wofford College.

That is the short list.

Mainland defensive line coach Ethan Simpson watched many of them develop under his tutelage.

“There are a lot of guys I’ve been able to coach and have gone on to the next level,” he said. “It’s been fun to watch them play and see how they continue to develop and work hard. Every Saturday when I can turn on that TV and watch all the old players play, man, it just makes me smile.”

The Bucs are looking to improve on last year's 9-3 season. Once again, they will be counting on their defensive line.

“We got a good group coming back this year, so a lot of experience up front,” Simpson said. “Last year we had some ups and downs just because we were young up front. A lot of first-year starters last year, and first-year varsity starter experience.”

One of the biggest things I always preach is to have a motor; that means being relentless with your effort. Be relentless with your effort, be physical, be violent. You’ve got to love it to play D-line. It’s not for everybody.
— ETHAN SIMPSON, Mainland defensive line coach

Head coach Jerrime “Squatty” Bell said the defensive line is a brotherhood.

“Those guys are really close — it’s crazy,” he said. “They call each other brothers. You know they hang around each other, on the field, off the field, in the classrooms, at home, on the video games ... That may be the closest unit we have, at the defensive line group, and that’s what makes them special.”

Simpson was a rotational defensive lineman and linebacker at Mainland for four years. Scott Wilson was the head coach during Simpson’s senior year. After graduating in 2011, Simpson became a long snapper at Stetson University. He was part of the original group of players to bring football back to Stetson.

After graduating from Stetson with a degree in Sport Business in 2016, he was hired at Mainland to teach and is currently an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) support facilitator. Wilson brought him in to coach.

“He’s taught me almost everything, especially about D-line,” Simpson said. “He’s taught me so much ... He’s definitely my mentor and has turned into a brother of mine now.”

RETURNING PLAYERS

Returning to the defensive line this year are seniors Tommy Bostick, Ayden Lewis, Mike London Jr. and junior Malcolm McCarthur. Last season, McCarthur had 29 solo tackles, 18 assists, 3 sacks and 3 caused fumbles. Bostick had 18 solo tackles, 21 assists and 2 sacks.

“This season, we’ve got a lot of experience coming back, at least up front,” Simpson said. “The D-line brings the energy. Malcolm (McCarthur) was a first-time starter last year but has continued to develop through the season. I can tell he is taking that role and making sure that no one else will take it from him.”

McCarthur is starting his third year on varsity. Florida State, Cincinnati and Duke are some of the colleges that have shown interest in him already, but he said he needs to stay humble and trust the process.

Being a part of the Mainland team is being a part of a brotherhood, he said. He has been playing football with most of his teammates since he was 6 years old, he added.

“Coming to play with them is really a dream,” he said. “Playing with my family members, my brothers.”

Lewis has been playing football since he was 4 and is going into his fourth season as a starter. He transferred from Atlantic to Mainland at the end of his freshman year when Bell moved from the Sharks to the Bucs.

McCarthur and Lewis have a friendly rivalry going on in the weight room. McCarthur said Lewis beats him at bench press and squats. Lewis said McCarthur wins at power clean and deadlift.

“We are like Batman and Robin,” Lewis said.

Bostick said he has been around football since he was born but started playing when he was 2 years old. Initially, he played both offensive and defensive line but transitioned to only D-line at the end of his sophomore year.

He said he feels like the group has been working hard at building the chemistry and brotherhood between them this season.

“I believe in my whole heart that we’re the best three front in Central Florida,” Bostick said.

McCarthur said he is going to put his body on the line for his team.

“We just got a lot of dogs on our team,” he said. “We’re going to do anything to win. We’re going to come to play. They’re going to come to play, but we’ve got a different type of work ethic.”

Simpson said the key to an excellent defensive line is having the physicality up front and the passion for the position.

“You’ve got to have that attitude to play in the trenches and be explosive,” he said. “But also, one of the biggest things I always preach is to have a motor; that means being relentless with your effort. Be relentless with your effort, be physical, be violent. You’ve got to love it to play D-line. It’s not for everybody.”

Following their kickoff Classic at Osceola on Friday, Aug. 14, the Bucs will face stiff competition in the first three games of the season against Miami Carol City, Nease and Seminole.

 

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