- November 28, 2024
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Seabreeze (6-1) and Mainland (7-1) will battle Friday to determine the District 9-6A champion. Winner take all.
BY ANDREW O'BRIEN | SPORTS EDITOR
It’s a game that many people have had circled on their calendars for two months. And it’s finally here.
Seabreeze (6-1, 3-0 District 9-6A) will host Mainland (7-1, 3-0 District 9-6A) 7:30 p.m. Friday, in one of the most anticipated in-county games in recent memory. The winner will be crowned the District 9-6A champion.
“This is my 19th Seabreeze-Mainland game, and with us being 6-1 and them being 7-1, you know, it’s going to be a good ball game,” Seabreeze coach Marc Beach said.
Mainland coach Scott Wilson agreed. His team had a bye week last week, which helped his team prepare mentally and physically.
“Seabreeze is a great football team with an explosive offense,” Wilson said. “They have some great playmakers that we need to be ready for. Their coaching staff does a great job preparing for us, so it should be a good one.”
There is a lot of similarity between the two teams. Mainland has scored 119 points in its three district games; Seabreeze has scored 140. Mainland has allowed just 13 points; Seabreeze has allowed 19.
Both teams have plenty of playmakers on offense and defense, but the matchup could be Seabreeze’s Charles Nelson and Mainland’s Trey Rodriguez.
Rodriguez transferred to Mainland from Seabreeze this year.
“Trey’s my boy,” Nelson said. “We have grown up together and played football together, but on the field, it’s business. And then after the game, we can be buddies again.
Regardless of what happens Friday, both Seabreeze and Mainland will advance to the Class 6A state playoffs. Both coaches and teams have aspirations of making a deep run in the state playoffs.
But first things first: Friday’s rivalry game.
“That game is going to be the biggest game in this area,” Nelson said. “It’s always the biggest game in this area. Both sides of the stands are going to be filled. It’s going to be real intense.”
Rodriguez said he has been waiting for Friday's game all season. He said on Monday that his team needs to play ball and be focused on the prize.
Friday's game against Seabreeze will be the biggest of his high school career, he said.
"It's going to be a battle between both teams," Rodriguez said. "May the best team win."
