- November 27, 2024
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Mainland’s hopes of a state championship berth came to a halt, when the Buccaneers (13-1) lost to reigning 6A state champs, the Miami Central Rockets (12-1) Friday, Dec. 5, at Municipal Stadium, the place where Mainland hasn’t lost since 2010.
The Rockets got on the board first with a field goal, and then Mainland responded with two touchdown passes from Denzel Houston to Randy Baker for three yards and Wilfred Taylor for 15.
Central ran in an 18-yard score on the ensuing drive to cut into Mainland’s 14-10 lead, and on Mainland’s next drive, one of Houston’s passes was tipped and intercepted, which led to another Miami Central touchdown to give the Rockets the lead for good.
Mainland failed at a field goal attempt in the third quarter that would have tied the game up, and AJ Westbrook intercepted a Rockets’ pass to give Mainland the ball back near midfield, but the offense couldn’t generate any points.
With 8:20 to play in the game, Miami Central scored on a 41-yard run to go up 24-14. Houston and the Buccaneers continued to fight, scoring on a 32-yard quarterback keep to close the gap 24-21 with 5:49 left in the game.
After a big kick return, Miami Central had the ball on Mainland’s goal line on a fourth down. The Rockets were flagged on the play, which set them back to the six, although Mainland’s coaches thought the runner didn’t get in the end zone, which should have called for a turnover on downs. Miami Central decided to go for the fourth-and-six, and Mainland was flagged for pass interference.
Miami Central eventually scored on a run to go up 31-21, which ended the Buccaneers season for the second consecutive season in the semifinal round.
