Mainland takes Class 3S football trophy on tour, including Daytona Beach holiday parade
DAYTONA BEACH — Travis Roland strapped in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3S football championship securely with a seatbelt Thursday night for the nearly four-hour ride from Tallahassee to Daytona Beach, the first time the trophy has appeared in Daytona Beach since 2003.
Since bringing it home, Roland and Mainland's football team have taken it on tour around town, most notably as grand marshal of Saturday's Jingle All the Waves Christmas parade.
Exclusive Q&A: FHSAA executive director Craig Damon on the Open Division proposal
The Buccaneers, who defeated St. Augustine 21-19 for the title on Jacob Gettman's walkoff 23-yard field goal, marched down Beach Street together — from the Brown & Brown Insurance building near Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard about six blocks south to Magnolia Avenue, and across the Halifax River to Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
"It's just been great, being recognized for all that we did — walking down, seeing friends and family who you haven't seen in a little minute coming out to support and overall be there for us," said All-American senior defensive back Zavier Mincey, who will commit to either Alabama, Florida, Florida State or Miami next month.
Hundreds of city residents attended the parade, and Mainland's football team has also received plenty of notable recognition on social media as well — from NBA legend Vince Carter, to Houston Texans rookie Tank Dell, rapper Plies, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and so forth.
Mainland (14-1) gained 505 yards of total offense, held high-powered St. Augustine to a season-low point total and rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit to win its second state championship in program history.
Roland, the Bucs' third-year head coach, was a member of the '03 championship squad, as well. He served as team captain and recorded 217 tackles on the way to the crown — capped off with a 24-13 win over Naples.
"It's great to know that you had a piece to do with your city having a super positive vibe," Roland said. "I think anybody that's out here that was around us when we were walking can feel the excitement and pride that people have about this program right now. I've been hearing people talk about putting (Daytona Beach) back on the map, hearing people say, 'Great job, we're so proud of you,' and seeing people with tears in their eyes.
"I asked (senior wide receiver) Clarence McCloud how he's feeling, and he summed it up. He said, 'Coach, I can't stop smiling.'"
Roland has taken the trophy along with him for stops at Derbyshire Park, Bethune Grill and Bethune-Cookman University, with future stops planned at South Street and the Rose Marie Byron Children's Center, among other spots in the community that represent where he, his staff and the team's players come from.
The parade was a particular point of pride for All-American defensive lineman LJ McCray — to the point where the Florida commit reorganized his planned unofficial visits to Florida State and Auburn, and found an earlier flight home. The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder was back in time Saturday to walk right at the front of the line.
"It took a lot to get here, but I definitely wouldn't miss this," McCray said. "This is something important to me, so I had to make sure I'd get here."
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: Mainland celebrates state title in Daytona parade
