Mainland Returns To State Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are a Florida high school football fan, you know that the history of Daytona Beach Mainland has been filled with plenty of success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the years, the Buccaneers have produced several quality football teams as well as sending numerous players on to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But even for all the success this program has had, getting to the state title game has never been easy. The road to the state championship was often ended by a south Florida school, but not this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach <strong>Travis Roland</strong>, who knew this program and the landscape of the area, came back after a successful stint at Flagler Palm Coach and immediately started to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his knowledge of how to build and restore programs, he and his staff began to seek competition and expose his players to the best football in the state – and it has paid off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Friday afternoon (1:00), Roland and his Buccaneers will go after a 3S state title when they take on unbeaten Lake Wales at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This program has built this team with prospects in every class. Seniors (2023) like quarterback <strong>Demarcus Creecy (</strong>6-2, 170), receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128465' first='Ajai' last='Harrell']</strong> (6-0, 180) and linebacker <strong>Ty Richmond </strong>(6-0, 215) have led the way, but there are more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prospects like <strong>Cameron Boatright</strong> (CB, 5-11, 160), <strong>Malcolm Curry</strong> (OL, 5-9, 270), <strong>Jeramiah Davis</strong> (DE, 6-5, 195), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128779' first='Chase' last='Irven']</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 180), <strong>Adam Minarchik</strong> (OLB, 6-2, 195), <strong>Jkwon Mitchell</strong> (DE, 6-2, 240), <strong>Javier Ortiz</strong> (OL), <strong>Bert Plummer</strong> (CB, 6-0, 170), <strong>Princeton Russell</strong> (RB) and receiver <strong>Jonathan Williams</strong> (5-8, 155) have been vital this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FUTURE LOOKS PROMISING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As impressive as the senior class is, the underclassmen have also been talented. Led by nationally rated Class of 2024 junior receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404038' first='James' last='Randle'] Jr.</strong> (6-0, 175), Mainland has indeed set the table for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition, Class of 2024 standouts such as <strong>Nygel Allen</strong> (DE, 5-8, 190), <strong>Jerard Bell</strong> (OG, 6-1, 250), <strong>Jackie Bowdry</strong> (RB, 5-7, 145), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404517' first='Lawrence' last='Campbell Jr'].</strong> (DB/RB, 5-11, 155), <strong>Adam Canfield</strong> (RB, 5-11, 195),<strong> Jacob Gettman </strong>(PK/P, 6-0, 160), <strong>Angelo Graham</strong> (OLB, 5-11, 180), <strong>Gavin Greathouse</strong> (PK, 5-3, 130), <strong>Jacob Ingerman</strong> (OLB, 5-11, 182), <strong>Trevon Jones</strong> (CB, 5-11, 170), <strong>Jaelin Long </strong>(OG, 6-2, 255) and gifted tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404268' first='Lawal' last='“L.J.” McCray']</strong> (6-5, 240).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team also has <strong>Clarence McCloud</strong> (WR), <strong>Raymond McCullough Jr.</strong> (DE, 6-3, 240), <strong>Micah McGuire</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 190), <strong>Zay Mincey</strong> (CB, 6-3, 180), <strong>Demond Noelien</strong> (S, 5-11, 182), <strong>Madden Santiago</strong> (OT, 6-5, 320), <strong>Skyler Summers</strong> (OC, 5-10, 295), <strong>Terrance Thach</strong> (S, 5-10, 160) and receiver <strong>Emmanuel Yisrael</strong> (5-11, 150).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2025 sophomore standouts <strong>George Armstrong</strong> (DT, 5-6, 205), <strong>Angelo Carollo</strong> (FB, 6-2, 225), <strong>Malik Daniels</strong> (LB, 6-0, 190), <strong>Christian Hudson</strong> (OG, 6-2, 250), <strong>Dennis King</strong> (CB, 5-11 145), <strong>Phillip Moore</strong> (FS, 6-2, 180), <strong>Jaylon Owens</strong> (OT, 6-4, 285), <strong>Jordan Payne</strong> (QB, 5-7, 160), <strong>Johnnie Santiago</strong> (OG, 5-9, 240), <strong>Myron Shafer III</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 205) and cornerback <strong>Drayden Wood</strong> (5-10, 160) have added depth. So have Class of 2026 freshmen <strong>Jeffrey Harris</strong> (S, 5-7, 140), <strong>Jhavin Westbrook</strong> (CB, 5-10, 160) and defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575242' first='Freddie' last='Wilson']</strong> (6-3, 220), who are also the future of this program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BUCCANEERS (11-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DELAND, W 42-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ST. JOHN'S BARTRAM TRAIL, L 17-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FLAGLER PALM COAST, W FORFEIT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Minneola, W 39-26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ORANGE CITY UNIVERSITY, W 34-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deltona, W 41-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kissimmee Osceola. L 33-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DELTONA PINE RIDGE, W 66-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DAYTONA BEACH SEABREEZE, W 51-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mary, L 20-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EAU GALLIE, W 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockledge, W 16-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jensen Beach, W 45-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Myers Dunbar, W 30-23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']</strong> with prospect or team information at: <strong><a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->