Mainland rallies past Rockledge, reaches 2nd straight Region 3-3S football final

DAYTONA BEACH — In unison, offensive lineman Jerard Bell, defensive ends LJ McCray, Ramon McCollough Jr. and others told Mainland coach Travis Roland they wanted to go for two with the Region 3-3S semifinal potentially hanging in the balance.

"You've got to trust the kids that got you here," Roland said. "Those kids believe. Belief is a scary thing when kids believe in each other and the program.

"When those guys say, 'Do it,' you've got to do it."

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Rodney Hill punched in the go-ahead conversion, and an insurance touchdown for good measure, and Mainland's defense withstood a last-minute Rockledge push to prevail 22-14 at Daytona Stadium.

The Buccaneers (11-1) advanced to the Region 3-3S championship game for the second straight season, eliminating Rockledge (6-6) in Round 2 each time. Mainland will host Sebring, which sprung a mild upset over Eau Gallie in the other regional semifinal.

Mainland trailed for the better part of three quarters despite surrendering just a lone offensive touchdown. UCF commit Jaylen Heyward returned a blocked field goal for an 82-yard score late in the first half, and put the Raiders back ahead with a 35-yard touchdown reception from Traven Green.

"He did a great job. It was kind of a short week for him," Rockledge coach Wayne Younger said. "Every single year, he's always gotten better. He's performed well for us. He's going to have a bright future."

Mainland squandered two chances in the red zone, including a drive that went 91 yards after starting at its own 4. Hill had to fall on an errant direct snap on third-and-goal, immediately followed by Heyward's stunning scoop-and-score.

But the Bucs punched back out of halftime. Dennis Murray Jr. fired an 18-yard TD pass to Marquis McCants on fourth-and-12, capping off a drive ignited by Elyjah Gilyard's 31-yard kickoff return and featuring a 24-yard completion to Tyree Weatherspoon.

Mainland marched back inside Rockledge's 20-yard line twice more in the third quarter, but came up emptyhanded on a pair of incompletions. Early in the fourth, Gilyard gave the Bucs another chance with a 17-yard punt return to the Raiders' 25.

Three plays later, Murray rolled right and fired a 20-yard dart to Clarence McCloud to pull the Bucs within 14-13.

"Clarence McCloud made an incredible snag and broke a tackle to score," Murray said. "That just shows the heart and soul. People were doubting us all year. Now we've got to step up when the time arises in the most important moments."

The night's most important moment followed immediately thereafter. Roland sent out the Bucs' heavy 'Rhino' package, and Hill followed blockers to bulldoze across the goal line for two.

"I had full trust in that," Murray said, watching from the sideline. "Everybody knows we're going to go Rhino. So what? Come stop it."

Florida commit LJ McCray granted Mainland an extra possession by delivering a crushing blow from behind to Green, jarring the ball free. Dennis King III recovered at Rockledge's 21-yard line, eventually setting Hill up for a 4-yard rushing touchdown after a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

"I just saw a five-star flying around, man," King said. "It inspires me to keep working. Work pays off."

Zavier Mincey and Gilyard broke up passes from Rockledge backup quarterback Rico Buitrago, and Mainland milked the clock down to 49 seconds. Hill sacked Buitrago to start the Raiders' final possession, but three consecutive defensive penatlies placed the ball all the way to the Mainland 28.

On the final snap, Buitrago lofted a pass toward the left pylon, but Ezaiah Shine knocked it away from freshman Jamarcus Giscombe to seal the Mainland victory.

Murray finished 9 of 15 for 154 yards and two touchdown passes, adding 43 rushing yards on nine attempts. McCloud recorded a game-high four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Khamani Robinson grinded out 64 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Next up, Sebring rolls into Daytona Beach on a seven-game win streak. The Blue Streaks have allowed just 88 points this season, and South Florida commit Josiah Taylor has topped 100 tackles.

"Tough and physical," Roland said to describe Sebring. "Country kids, got a lot of kids playing both ways, it looks like. A lot of tough, physical kids coming. We've got to be ready to play. It's going to be a knockout, drag-out fight. Hopefully we don't eat too much Thanksgiving dinner and come out slow."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: Mainland rallies to defeat Rockledge