Scattered Clouds
Daytona Beach Mainland Wins The 2023 CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP over St. Augustine with Game-Winning FG
PUBLISHED
Fri, Dec 22, 2023 3:26 AM
TALLAHASSEE -- Daytona Beach Mainland used a strong second half to complete their mission of not only returning to the big dance but winning Florida's 2023 Class 3S State Championship. The Bucs rallied, down 13-0 to St. Augustine at the half, to capitalize offensively ending on top with a __ kick as time expired to give the Central Florida powerhouse Buccaneers a 21-19 win and their second state football title in Mainland's rich storied sports history.
An undefeated St. Augustine started the game with a bang as they returned the opening kickoff yards for a touchdown.
Mainland drove down early in the 1st to attempt a field goal, but Yellow Jacket defender blocked the attempt and the scooped and scored winding down the field to give the Yellow Jackets as quick 13-0 lead.
These scores were big as Mainland came in with arguably Florida's most dominant defense, with two of the nation's top players in LJ McCray and Zay Mincey, and the Yellow Jackets capitalized on other facets of their gameplan.
Those two special teams scores were the only points for both teams as the Yellow Jackets entered the half leading the Bucs 13-0.
Bucs' Rodney Hill and Florida's top defensive lineman LJ "Champ" McCray engage on the tackle
Photo Credit: Antwuan Wyatt, Florida Gridiron Preps
IRONY OF 2 POINTS
Mainland went into the half unbothered, down 13-0, knowing that a strong second half was was needed... acting as if they had been there before. The Bucs literally had been there before, as Florida's Class 3S State Runner-Up team losing to Lake Wales by two points 32-30 in Fort Lauderdale's Drive PNK Stadium last year.
MAINLAND'S ROAD BACK TO THE BIG GAME
Mainland almost finished with a undefeated regular season facing a tough Lake Mary team in the regular season finale. Mainland took a 33-0 shutout drubbing from Lake Mary and star QB Noah Grubbs. Although the Bucs had already secured their path to the playoffs as District 3S-6 Champs, the loss had them battle tasted and knowing that entering the playoffs, the next loss was mean their exit from destiny.
With defending state champs Lake Wales losing to , it marked that if the Bucs made it to the State Final game, they couldn't avenge their loss, but nonetheless, crush who was ever in the way to their date with destiny.
DJ MURRAY WITH A HUGE GAME IN THE AIR AND GROUND
The Bucs signal caller and playmaker shined on Florida's biggest stage, showcasing his talents running and feeding the ball to his offensive weapons.
QB Dennis "DJ" Murray threw for over 200 yards leading Bucs to Victory
Photo Credit: Antwuan Wyatt, Florida Gridiron Preps
Bucs' got their first score as Murray connected with as he made a twisting circus catch at the edge of the endzone to give Mainland their first points of the 2nd half and the game.
Mainland then stormed back with a blistering TD run from Rodney Hill to make it a 13-12 game.
Although still down by 1, the Bucs had changed the momentum as they were fired up and the crowd was crunk.
THE VENUE WAS LIVE
FAMU's Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium had a resounding energy and was an excellent choice by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for the State Finals, not only commemorating the great Florida legend Ken Riley in his year of enshrinement, but also coinciding with both of Tallahassee's collegiate teams being respective champions in their conference and nationally. (That FSU Snub is another article... Read Here)
DJ Murray gave Mainland their first lead of the game when he sped left, mirroring Bucs WR Marquis McCants great block to skate 44 yards untouched for the Bucs' touchdown. Mainland was now in the lead 18-13.
ST. AUGUSTINE RESPONDED
The Yellow Jackets down their first time in the game with left in the game got a big play when QB connected with for a thunderous catch as repelled Bucs DB Ezaiah Shine for a long TD catch, only taking the Yellow Jackets ___time to regain the lead.
MCCANTS BIG CATCH ON 4TH AND 7
McCants ended the game with 6 receptions for 95 yards, and a HUGE COMPLETION to keep the Bucs' Drive Alive.
On the next play, the speedster Murray scooted left for another 14 yards putting his Bucs in FG range to finish the task.
ROLAND IN RAREFIED AIR NOW AS STATE CHAMPION PLAYER AND STATE CHAMPION HEAD COACH OF HIS ALMA MATER
Bucs' Travis Roland IS BUC PRIDE... BORN, BRED, AND RAISED. As the star defensive player for Mainland's only previous championship in 2003, it is only fitting that he bring Mainland back their next hardware back to the corner of Clyde Morris and International Speedway Boulevard, the home of champions.
MAINLAND 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
WON
LOSS 32-30 vs. Lake Wales
WON 21-19 vs. St. Augustine
An undefeated St. Augustine started the game with a bang as they returned the opening kickoff yards for a touchdown.
Mainland drove down early in the 1st to attempt a field goal, but Yellow Jacket defender blocked the attempt and the scooped and scored winding down the field to give the Yellow Jackets as quick 13-0 lead.
These scores were big as Mainland came in with arguably Florida's most dominant defense, with two of the nation's top players in LJ McCray and Zay Mincey, and the Yellow Jackets capitalized on other facets of their gameplan.
Those two special teams scores were the only points for both teams as the Yellow Jackets entered the half leading the Bucs 13-0.
Bucs' Rodney Hill and Florida's top defensive lineman LJ "Champ" McCray engage on the tackle
Photo Credit: Antwuan Wyatt, Florida Gridiron Preps
IRONY OF 2 POINTS
Mainland went into the half unbothered, down 13-0, knowing that a strong second half was was needed... acting as if they had been there before. The Bucs literally had been there before, as Florida's Class 3S State Runner-Up team losing to Lake Wales by two points 32-30 in Fort Lauderdale's Drive PNK Stadium last year.
MAINLAND'S ROAD BACK TO THE BIG GAME
Mainland almost finished with a undefeated regular season facing a tough Lake Mary team in the regular season finale. Mainland took a 33-0 shutout drubbing from Lake Mary and star QB Noah Grubbs. Although the Bucs had already secured their path to the playoffs as District 3S-6 Champs, the loss had them battle tasted and knowing that entering the playoffs, the next loss was mean their exit from destiny.
With defending state champs Lake Wales losing to , it marked that if the Bucs made it to the State Final game, they couldn't avenge their loss, but nonetheless, crush who was ever in the way to their date with destiny.
DJ MURRAY WITH A HUGE GAME IN THE AIR AND GROUND
The Bucs signal caller and playmaker shined on Florida's biggest stage, showcasing his talents running and feeding the ball to his offensive weapons.
QB Dennis "DJ" Murray threw for over 200 yards leading Bucs to Victory
Photo Credit: Antwuan Wyatt, Florida Gridiron Preps
Bucs' got their first score as Murray connected with as he made a twisting circus catch at the edge of the endzone to give Mainland their first points of the 2nd half and the game.
Mainland then stormed back with a blistering TD run from Rodney Hill to make it a 13-12 game.
Although still down by 1, the Bucs had changed the momentum as they were fired up and the crowd was crunk.
THE VENUE WAS LIVE
FAMU's Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium had a resounding energy and was an excellent choice by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) for the State Finals, not only commemorating the great Florida legend Ken Riley in his year of enshrinement, but also coinciding with both of Tallahassee's collegiate teams being respective champions in their conference and nationally. (That FSU Snub is another article... Read Here)
DJ Murray gave Mainland their first lead of the game when he sped left, mirroring Bucs WR Marquis McCants great block to skate 44 yards untouched for the Bucs' touchdown. Mainland was now in the lead 18-13.
ST. AUGUSTINE RESPONDED
The Yellow Jackets down their first time in the game with left in the game got a big play when QB connected with for a thunderous catch as repelled Bucs DB Ezaiah Shine for a long TD catch, only taking the Yellow Jackets ___time to regain the lead.
MCCANTS BIG CATCH ON 4TH AND 7
McCants ended the game with 6 receptions for 95 yards, and a HUGE COMPLETION to keep the Bucs' Drive Alive.
On the next play, the speedster Murray scooted left for another 14 yards putting his Bucs in FG range to finish the task.
ROLAND IN RAREFIED AIR NOW AS STATE CHAMPION PLAYER AND STATE CHAMPION HEAD COACH OF HIS ALMA MATER
Bucs' Travis Roland IS BUC PRIDE... BORN, BRED, AND RAISED. As the star defensive player for Mainland's only previous championship in 2003, it is only fitting that he bring Mainland back their next hardware back to the corner of Clyde Morris and International Speedway Boulevard, the home of champions.
MAINLAND 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
WON
LOSS 32-30 vs. Lake Wales
WON 21-19 vs. St. Augustine
