- October 5, 2026
After losing two close games in a row to Nease and Sanford Seminole, Mainland’s 48-0 victory at University on Friday, Sept. 25, was just what the Bucs needed, coach Jerrime Bell said.
“We got to play a whole bunch of kids,” Bell said. “Some of the young kids got to see extended varsity action. And the two-way guys got to make plays on the other side of the ball.”
PJ Miller threw four touchdown passes for the Bucs (2-2). Chris Butler scored three touchdowns, two receiving and one off a blocked punt. Jaden Parks caught the other two touchdown passes.
Defensive end Malcolm McCarthur had five sacks in the shutout, while senior captain Demetrick Prince hauled in his first interception of the season.
Freddy Scott scored his first rushing touchdown, and Reynoldo Yan, making his first varsity start, also ran for a touchdown.
The Bucs now head back into the fire with a road game on Friday, Oct. 2, at Vero Beach (5-1), which is ranked 18th in the state overall and fourth in the Class 6A.
Mainland, ranked eighth among 6A teams, has four other teams on its schedule ranked among the top 25 in Class 6A — DeLand (third), Seminole (sixth), Spruce Creek (15th) and Lake Mary (25th).
The Bucs will meet Creek (on the road), Lake Mary (at home) and DeLand (at home) on consecutive weeks from Oct. 9 to Oct. 23.
Vero Beach is a school Bell is very familiar with, having coached at nearby Treasure Coast for nine seasons.
“It’s going to be a rowdy atmosphere that we’re walking into on Friday,” he said.
Vero’s only loss was to St. Frances Academy of Baltimore, which is ranked first in the nation by MaxPreps and third nationally by USA Today.
“Well have to play a clean, mistake-free game [against Vero Beach],” Bell said. “If we can do that, we’ll get back on the bus victorious.”
