Mainland High School’s football team redeemed themselves after a disappointing loss to Lake Mary in their regular-season finale. In a playoff-opening game, they secured a resounding 62-0 victory against Satellite. The Bucs wasted no time in finding the end zone, scoring a touchdown just 1 minute and 16 seconds into the game.

With this win, Mainland advanced to the Region 3 semifinals and will host Rockledge in the next round. Rockledge, the fifth seed, defeated Jensen Beach 19-16 in overtime to secure their spot in the semifinals.

The Bucs showed no signs of a letdown from their previous loss. Coach Travis Roland expressed that the team was upset after the shutout loss to Lake Mary, but they were determined to bounce back.

On the offensive end, Mainland demonstrated their effectiveness in the passing game. Quarterback Dennis Murray Jr. threw three touchdown passes, connecting with receivers Phillip Moore, Marquis McCants, and Tyree Weatherspoon. The team had been working on their passing game and made some changes to counter opponents who stack the box to stop their running game.

Defensively, the Bucs were dominant, securing their sixth shutout of the season. They allowed Satellite quarterbacks to complete just 2 of 14 passes and intercepted two passes. LJ McCray, a Florida Gator commit, delivered powerful hits throughout the game, setting the tone for the defense.

Mainland’s rushing attack was also impressive, with Corey Hill, Trell Edwards, and Khamani Robinson all scoring touchdowns in the second quarter. Murray finished the game with 10 completions out of 15 attempts for 139 yards.

Overall, it was a commanding performance by Mainland High School, showcasing their strength on both offense and defense. They will look to carry this momentum into the next round of the playoffs.