- November 26, 2024
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Mainland isn’t used to losing.
After an 11-1 regular season a year ago, perennial power in its own right Apopka was the team’s first opponent out of the gate as part of the preseason kick-off classic.
Apopka scored the first 26 points of the game and were able to force four Mainland turnovers in its first six defensive possessions. The Buccaneers were stunned by the initial onslaught, but were able to make a game of it, losing 26-14.
“Not everybody played to the level we are supposed to be at,” right tackle and USF commit Adonis Boone said. “It's an early wake-up call. It'll prepare us for the playoffs.”
Wide receivers like Tank Dell, D’Marcus Adams and Brian Jenkins will be significant weapons for new quarterback Jake Novello to work with, and it’s Novello’s job more than any that is under the most pressure.
Novello is taking over for former three-year starter Denzel Houston, who is now at Florida Atlantic with Lane Kiffin. He transferred from Ocoee to provide support for Mainland, and he struggled during the Apopka game against a stout defense, throwing two interceptions.
Novello was excellent in the spring game earlier this year against Spruce Creek, when he threw four touchdowns. He profiles as an accurate thrower with a quick release who should be able to feed plenty of yardage to his slew of weapons at the skill positions.
Apopka’s defense gave Novello fits all night with an aggressive front seven that will be a dominant force in Class 8A all season.
Despite the loss, Mainland is the cream of the crop in Volusia, and came into the preseason ranked 13th in the entire state of Florida, according to FloridaHSFootball.com's rankings.
With that said, other Volusia teams also didn’t fare well during the kick-off classic as Seabreeze, Spruce Creek and Atlantic joined Mainland as warm-up week losers.
Fortunately, those losses don’t count. Every team is 0-0 now and Aug. 25 is opening day. Novello has big shoes to fill in order to ensure another dominant season from Mainland.
Thankfully, he has the support of an experienced offensive line, led by USF commit Adonis Boone, an electric trio of receivers in Adams, Dell and Perkins and a proven winner in head coach Scott Wilson.
Time will tell whether Novello develops into the kind of quarterback Houston was, but one thing is for sure.
Mainland is used to winning, and they’ll be ready when it counts.
The Buccaneers open the regular season at home against DeLand on Aug. 25.
