Dennis Murray, Mainland shine as Bucs keeps rolling with shutout over upstart Pine Ridge
Mainland is the top ranked team in 3S and played like it in a 45-0 beat down of Pine Ridge on the road Friday night.
It did not take long for the Bucs to force a fumble and setup their offense for their first score of the night. Quarterback Dennis Murray scrambled to his right on the very first play from scrimmage and found wide receiver Marquis McCants wide open for a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
After forcing a quick punt from the Panthers, Bucs running back Corey Hill took the ball off tackle and sprinted 53 yards for a 14-0 lead with 8:06 to go in the first quarter.
Leading 17-0 in the second, Mainland blocked a punt through the back of the end zone to take a 19-0 lead on a safety.
Volusia-Flagler statistics: A look at Volusia-Flagler high school football statistics through Week 5
On the ensuing drive, Murray got loose for a 17-yard touchdown run to give Mainland a 25-0 lead.
The Bucs would then recover an onside kick setting up the offense in great field position once again. Murray took off for his second rushing score of the night on a 13-yard run, making the score 32-0 just before half.
Mainland forced another fumble and recovered in the end zone for a 38-0 lead at halftime.
The second half was contested with a running clock with the only score coming on a fumble return for a touchdown for Mainland.
Mike Norvell attends the game
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was in attendance for this game. Mainland put on a show for the coach who traveled down on the Seminoles' bye week to check out their highly ranked recruits. Namely, defensive lineman LJ McCray who did not suit up for the Bucs in this one.
Mainland defense continues to shine
Mainland played immaculate defense, giving up just five first downs, forcing and recovering three fumbles, two for touchdowns. There was nothing the Pine Ridge offensive line could do to keep the pressure off quarterback Alex Johnson.
DJ Murray spearheads Bucs offense
Dennis Murray had a great night for the Bucs, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for two more. Mainland took their foot off the gas in the second half opting to mostly run the football and not giving that running clock any reason to stop.
Up next
With a record of 6-0, coach Travis Roland's squad will enjoy their bye week before heading to Deltona on Thursday October 12th. The loss dropped much-improved Pine Ridge to 3-2 under coach Eric Poyner and it will travel to Mount Dora next week.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler high school football: Mainland thumps Pine Ridge 45-0
