- November 23, 2024
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The Mainland Buccaneers football team travelled to Dewey O. Boster Sports complex in Deltona to face-off against the University Titans in the last Volusia-Flagler spring football game Friday, May 28.
The highly-anticipated matchup was the Buccaneers’ new head coach Travis Roland’s first time leading the team in his newly acquired position. The Bucs lost to the Titans but Roland remains hopeful for the season.
“Glad we got out of the spring game healthy,” said Roland, who is also a Mainland alumnus. “You know, I think we have a very young football team so we had a lot of guys in their first night starting, hearts are beating outside their shoulder pads. So just happy we got out of here healthy. It’s going to be a fun season.”
After a drive down to their 5-yard line in the first quarter, Titans quarterback Tazz Figueroa leapt toward the end zone as Buccaneer Marquel Williams stripped the ball away, denying them the touchdown. Mainland took the lead early in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown by running back Isaiah Gordon. The extra point was kicked by Jacob Gellman, bringing Mainland up 7-0. Titans turned it around the end of the quarter with a 27-yard catch by Noble Thomas Jr.
As both teams taunted one another, Roland paced the sidelines calling plays, motivating his players and offering the referees insight to the official rules of the game. It was an opportunity for Roland to start players who would not ordinarily do so and get a feel for his team in a game scenario.
Titan running back Chandler Powers caught a long pass close to the end zone followed by a quick run-in by E.J. Olavarria. University wrapped up the win 14-7.
During his postgame pep talk, Roland knew his guys were upset.
“Means it means something to you,” Roland said.