- November 25, 2024
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It had been over 20 years since the Sandcrabs' boys soccer team's last state title. And thanks to a pair of goals from then-junior Franco Perez, the Sandcrabs were able to hold off Merritt Island 2-0 to capture the FHSAA Class 3A championship on Feb. 18 at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand.
The win capped off a near-perfect season for Seabreeze, which finished the year with a 25-0-2 record.
The Lady Sandcrabs shut out the Viera Hawks 3-0 in the Region 2-7A semifinal on May 9 at Daytona State College. The win over the Hawks ensured the Sandcrabs' trip to the regional final for the first time in school history.
Then-freshman Celeste Delorenzo accounted for all three of Seabreeze's runs, when she ripped a double to loaded bases. Pitcher Danielle Spaulding pitched the shutout.
Despite dropping the regional final 10-0 to Lake Region, the Sandcrabs finished the year with a solid record, going 16-9 overall and 10-2 in district play.
Nearing the halfway point of the season, the Buccaneers had their backs against the wall.
Mainland had already lost two game in a row, including a 20-0 shutout to Dr. Phillips on Sept. 20. It was the Buccaneers' first shutout loss since the 2013 season. And after their 21-7 loss on the road to Cocoa, their third loss in four games, the Buccaneers were staring at a 2-3 record. A trip to the playoffs, which the team had become so accustomed to over the years, started to seem like only a dream.
But starting with a convincing 24-3 win over Matanzas on Oct. 13, Mainland sprang into action, winning four-straight games to close the regular season and outscoring their opponents by a total of 189-3.
The Buccaneers won their opening playoff game against Miami Norland but couldn't quite shake Carol City in the second round.
The Mainland boys bowling team finished second in the State Bowling Championships on Nov. 1 at Boardwalk Entertainment Center in Orlando.
The Buccaneers lost to The Villages in the second round but went undefeated during the consolation bracket before falling in the final. Mainland was anchored by bowler Joey Goodwin, who led the area with a 231 average. It was the Buccaneers' best finish since 2009 — the year they won the title.
Then-junior D'marcus Adams is more than just a one-trick pony. Adams, a standout receiver for the Buccaneers who also committed to play football for Florida State in June, helped lead the Buccaneers to their second-straight Region 2-3A track and field regional championship.
Mainland held off Ocala Forest 75-70 on April 29 at George Jenkins High School.
Adams won two events and was a runner on the Buccaneers' winning 4x400 relay team.