2023-10-27 09:13:34
Quick Slant Week 10: Rivalry games and district championships
Mainland-Seabreeze and Deltona-Pine Ridge are the two biggest rivalry games this week. Plus, who is in playoff position as Week 10 starts? Who isn’t?
Numbers paint the picture as Daytona Beach’s century-old football rivalry has become decidedly one-sided of late.
Two figures stand out, in particular — 12 and 30, associated with streaks Mainland (8-0, 2-0) intends to keep alive when it squares off Friday night with Seabreeze (3-5, 2-0). The Buccaneers have recorded a dozen straight victories in the series, and can guarantee a 30th consecutive appearance in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s playoffs as champions of District 9-3S.
Lester Davis, Seabreeze’s first-year coach, served as defensive coordinator at Mainland this time a year ago. And he’s determined to bring his alma mater back to prominence.
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“We’ve got to return (the rivalry) back to balance,” Davis said. “It’s been getting some very good pub on social media because Travis Roland and I are good friends, and it’s a healthy rivalry. That’s what the city needs.
“We know if we want to win the district, we have to beat Mainland. We feel like we’ve been priming ourselves up to this point.”
Seabreeze kept its playoff hopes alive with back-to-back comeback victories against Pine Ridge and Atlantic, rallying from 21 down in the second half against the former. Following last week’s homecoming triumph, Davis joked with WNDB’s Terry Sabiston, “Tell Travis Roland to meet me at the 50.” He also mimicked the Mainland coach’s freestyle rapping in a video posted to social media Wednesday, saying, “I am Coach Roland, yeah. I am the GOAT, yeah. And when I coach, yeah. I ain’t no joke.”
Asked about the game-week banter, Roland replied, “You don’t see commercials for Bentley and Ferrari because you know they exist. We’ll let them have that. We don’t concern ourselves with winning the pre-game.”
Mainland reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the FHSAA’s Class 3S rankings, taking the inside track on home field advantage through the first four rounds of the postseason. Eau Gallie is nipping on the Bucs’ heels, though it faces a difficult district matchup Friday with Rockledge.
“The standard has been set in this area,” Roland said. “There are programs that have their year, maybe even two or three years. But when you talk about football in the Volusia-Flagler area, you begin with Mainland High School.”
3 things to keep an eye on
1. A third streak Mainland plans to keep intact, regarding its defense
Seabreeze will need to score in order to win the game. And that’s been an exceedingly difficult task against Mainland’s dominant defense.
The Bucs will take the field Friday having not allowed a point in 150 minutes, 54 seconds, of game time — dating back to the third quarter of their Sept. 22 home game against Lake Minneola. Since then, they have blanked Pine Ridge, Deltona and Osceola in succession.
Davis coached many of the Bucs’ top stars, including defensive back Zavier Mincey, linebackers Dennis King III and Myron Shafer and the lineman trio of five-star Florida commit LJ McCrayRamon McCollough and Christian Hudson. Additions such as Rodney Hill and Ezaiah Shine have bolstered the back-seven.
“I’m so happy and ecstatic the way they are playing,” Davis said. “I love those boys, and to see them playing at a high level. They are playing fast to the football and swarming to it.
“We’re definitely not going to back down. We are going to see if they can cover our whole offense, the whole kit and caboodle.”
2. Denali Campbell’s threat to throw
One wrinkle in Seabreeze’s arsenal, of late, has been junior Denali Campbell’s downfield passing.
Campbell sparked the Sandcrabs’ rally against Pine Ridge with a halfback pass to Landon Smith. Seabreeze scored the night’s final 24 points in a 44-41 thriller. They connected again last week on a reverse pass, beating Atlantic over the top to extend the lead to double digits.
“Him throwing the ball is set up by his ability to run the ball. It’s allowed Landon and the other guys to get open,” Davis said.
3. Dennis Murray Jr. hitting stride behind center
Mainland’s offense has been complementing the defense with explosive plays, particularly in its win over Osceola.
Senior quarterback Dennis Murray Jr. let it fly, hitting Shine for a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. He bookended the half with an 80-yard touchdown in the final minute before the break, giving his team a huge boost and doubling the Bucs’ advantage on the scoreboard.
“DJ Murray is amazing,” Roland said after the game. “He’s been down on himself because his passing stats haven’t looked the way he wanted them to look, but i think people saw how explosive he is with both. He threw some great balls, He makes great decisions and he trusts himself a lot, which is why he pulled it on of the zone reads. I think he’s one of the most explosive players in the state and he showed it.”
Clarence McCloud is Murray’s most trusted target in the passing game, but Marquis McCants, Emmanuel Yisrael and Tyree Weatherspoon have made plays when called upon in recent weeks.
Still, the Bucs will depend upon a relentless running game with Murray, Hill, Khamani Robinson and Corey Hill carrying the ball behind an offensive line featuring All-Area selections Hudson, Madden Santiago and Elijah Walker.
Staff picks
Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ): Mainland 48, Seabreeze 0. Record: 85-11.
Chris Vinel (@ChrisAVinel): Mainland 45, Seabreeze 10. Record: 77-19.
Ryan Pritt (@RPritt): Mainland 34, Seabreeze 2. Record: 72-24.
Other games
Atlantic (3-5) at Taylor (3-4), 6
Thanks to its dominant win over Crescent City two weeks ago, Atlantic can clinch the District 8-2S championship with a victory. Kwasie Kwaku leads the run-heavy Sharks with 695 yards, nine touchdowns and five 100-yard rushing performances. Taylor canceled its last two games due to a rash of injuries and reduced roster numbers, coach Antuarn Williams said. That includes a forfeit last week to Keystone Heights. Taylor could still snatch a share of the district title, and leave the lone guaranteed playoff spot up to the FHSAA’s final rankings.
Picks — Boyle: Atlantic 43-0, Vinel: Atlantic 48-6, Pritt: Atlantic 36-0.
New Smyrna Beach (6-2) at DeLand (6-2), 7
New Smyrna Beach fell one play short of completing a memorable, meaningful comeback last week at Spruce Creek. The Barracudas erased a 22-7 fourth-quarter deficit and forced overtime, but an inaccurate snap squandered the chance at a game-winning two-point conversion. DeLand clinched the District 9-4S title last week, defeating University 14-3 behind a stout effort from its defensive line. However, the Bulldogs are understandably indignant at their current No. 4 seed in the region, three spots behind the Titans.
Picks — Boyle: DeLand 33-14, Vinel: DeLand 28-7, Pritt: DeLand 27-17.
Halifax (7-1) at Melbourne Central Catholic (7-2), 7
Halifax carries a three-game winning streak into, almost unquestionably, its most important matchup in program history. The Knights can earn a share of the District 4-1S championship and virtually assure themselves of an FHSAA playoff spot for just the second time (2020). MCC can take the title with a win, though Hustlers coach Nate Hooks was issued a multi-game suspension in early October by the FHSAA for violating a policy against improperly contacting players. Freshman QB Joseph Allen has thrown 20 touchdowns, utilizing a receiving corps that includes junior Ramel Hernandez and UCF commit DayDay Farmer.
Picks — Boyle: MCC 37-21, Vinel: MCC 34-20, Pritt: Halifax 32-28.
Lyman (6-3) at University (7-1), 7
University is still well on course for the playoffs, and a high seed, despite its home loss to DeLand. The Titans’ scoring average dipped from 38.0 points per game to 33.6, and Malachi Walters threw two interceptions — the second of which occurred in the end zone on a fourth-and-goal midway through the fourth quarter. Lyman, the Titans’ spring game opponent back in May, aims for a second straight seven-win season. The Greyhounds have collected 91 TFLs, with Traevis Battle and Dominic Daoust recording 15 apiece.
Picks — Boyle: University 49-10, Vinel: University 42-21, Pritt: Lyman 27-24.
Spruce Creek (6-3) at Hagerty (6-2), 7
Spruce Creek faces a win-and-in scenario after surviving the scare from New Smyrna Beach. Luke Smith battled through a shoulder injury to throw for 292 yards and four touchdowns, and the Hawks finally possess their full complement of weapons with Anthony Hayden, Cameron Oxendine, Tony Kinsler and Kamron Chamble. Hagerty beat the Hawks, controversially, with a touchdown pass at the buzzer last year and kept them out of the playoffs. The Huskies average 8.0 yards per carry, and Caden Mitchell complements the ground game with 205 passing yards per game and 15 TDs.
Picks — Boyle: Spruce Creek 19-17, Vinel: Spruce Creek 24-21, Pritt: Spruce Creek 21-16.
Matanzas (6-2) at Menendez (3-5), 7
Second place is up for grabs in District 4-3S and, in Matanzas’ case, a near-certain playoff berth. The Pirates are seeded fourth in the region after escaping with a 24-21 victory against Clay, aided by three touchdown catches from the duo of Daniel DeFalco and Andre Andrews. Menendez has won five of the last six head-to-head showdowns with their neighbors to the south. Senior Jason Watson paces the Falcons with 30 catches, 535 yards and five touchdowns, and he’s tied with three other players for the team lead with two interceptions.
Picks — Boyle: Matanzas 31-21, Vinel: Matanzas 24-13, Pritt: Matanzas 28-14.
Deltona (0-8) at Pine Ridge (3-4), 7
Pine Ridge enters the “Battle of the Boulevard” in the rare position of pre-game favorite; the Panthers last won this city rivalry back in 2012. Three losses by a combined six points — to Lake Howell, Mount Dora and Seabreeze — sunk their shot at the playoffs, but a victory over the Wolves would be a satisfying consolation. Deltona has been throttled in its last five outings, allowing 58.0 points per game while failing to score against Mainland and Bishop Moore.
Picks — Boyle: Pine Ridge 34-15, Vinel: Pine Ridge 42-16, Pritt: Pine Ridge 48-7.
Tocoi Creek (4-4) at Flagler Palm Coast (3-5), 7
FPC got back into the win column in comfortable fashion last week, crushing Celebration 39-0. Caden Gonzalez went 14 of 18 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, and Marcus Mitchell ran 14 times for 155 yards and a pair of scores. This marks the first meeting with Tocoi Creek, a summer addition to District 4-4S. Vincent Galella (657 rushing yards, seven TDs), Julio Santiago (55 catches, 609 yards, seven TDs) Micah Ragin (five interceptions) and Carson Collins (14 TFLs) eight sacks have shined for the Toros, who have both scored and allowed 185 points this fall.
Picks — Boyle: FPC 26-17, Vinel: FPC 31-21, Pritt: FPC 27-26.
St. Francis Catholic (2-6) at Father Lopez (1-7), 7
Lech Sweeney set a new season-high with 160 receiving yards in last week’s loss to Santa Fe Catholic, adding two touchdowns. The Green Wave have not won a game since the first day of September, though Jacob Lohman is now up to 15 TD passes for the season. St. Francis Catholic rides a two-game winning streak into Daytona Beach; Nash Lantinen, Devin Rollins and Pedro Viana each ran for a touchdown in last week’s 32-7 triumph over Berean Christian.
Picks — Boyle: Father Lopez 35-24, Vinel: Father Lopez 36-22, Pritt: St. Francis 28-20.
Trinity Christian (1-7) at Leesburg First Academy (3-5), 7
Trinity is one of two local teams whose seasons continue via the Sunshine State Athletic Conference’s playoff format. The Eagles were shut out for the third time in their last four games against Halifax. Cason Cherry has thrown for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns for First Academy, adding another five scores on the ground.
Picks — Boyle: First Academy 36-6, Vinel: First Academy 34-12, Pritt: First Academy 30-0.
Warner Christian (0-6) at Cedar Creek Christian (0-8), 7
Warner faces a similarly winless opponent out of Jacksonville for the second week in a row. The Eagles fell 23-6 at home last week against Duval Charter. Cedar Creek has been held scoreless five times this year, but the Saints have put 48 on the board over the last two weeks.
Picks — Boyle: Cedar Creek 39-8, Vinel: Warner Christian 14-12, Pritt: Cedar Creek 16-8.
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