For the first 12 minutes of the game, it may have been hard to tell which team was the defending state champion.
Host Mainland had upset on its mind early with an interception on the first play of Friday’s game before later in the first quarter returning a blocked punt for a score for an early 7-0 lead over Sanford Seminole.
But last year’s Class 8A state champions found their footing in the second period. The ‘Noles scored three times in the quarter for a 12-point lead at the half — one it would not relinquish.
Seminole, No. 1 in the Sentinel Super 16 rankings, added a third-quarter score for a 27-13 win, running its unbeaten streak to 17 games.
Seminole (5-0) has won 31 of its past 32 over four years.
Still, ‘Noles coach Eric Lodge was not pleased with his team’s performance.
“Very sloppy game,” the second-year head coach said. “If we execute, we run the clock. Even in a win, it’s embarrassing and it just does not feel good.”
Ajai Harrell gave the Bucs a 7-0 lead when he rushed through the ‘Noles wedge formation on a punt. Harrell blocked the punt, scooped up the loose ball at the Seminole 10-yard line and trotted into the end zone with 8 minutes, 55 seconds left in the opening frame.
Luke Rucker put Seminole on the board with a 39-yard strike to Darren Lawrence on third down. The two-point conversion failed, and the Bucs held a 7-6 lead just 54 seconds into the second quarter.
After Jacari Henderson blocked a punt to set up the ‘Noles in the red zone, Rucker found Deandre Cameron for a 20-yard score with 8:51 left in the half and a 12-7 lead.
Seminole’s second quarterback, Karson Siqueiros-Lasky, hit Cameron for a 12-yard score for a 19-7 advantage with 4:13 remaining in the half.
Rucker tossed his third touchdown of the game with 1:13 left in the third period when he found Michael Key from 3 yards out. The score was set up after Juan Berchal blocked a punt at Mainland’s 24.
The Bucs’ lone score in the second half came in the final minute after a botched snap by Seminole on a punt attempt.
“This game should have been a shutout,” a dejected Lodge said. “We basically gave them those two scores.”
The Seminole coach was pleased with the way his defense played. The ‘Noles held Mainland to just 19 yards rushing and 77 through the air.
“That’s what those guys do,” the coach said of his defense. “They [Mainland] did not really move the ball unless we made mistakes. But if we want to win a state championship, we have to clean up all three phases.”
Siqueiros-Lasky passed for 99 yards and Rucker for 80 as they combined to complete 17 passes, including four touchdowns. Lawrence had four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Cameron caught two touchdowns in part of his four receptions and 59 yards.
Donta Whack rushed for 57 yards on 17 totes in the win.
Seminole 27, Mainland 13
At Daytona Stadium
First Quarter
M: Ajai Harrell 10 blocked punt return (PAT), 8:55
Second Quarter
S: Luke Rucker 39 pass to Darren Lawrence (run failed), 11:06
S: Rucker 20 pass to Deandre Cameron (pass failed), 8:51
S: Karson Siqueiros-Lasky 12 pass to Cameron (Cale Tomlin PAT), 4:13
Third Quarter
S: Rucker 3 pass to Michael Key (Lawrence pass to Key, 2-conversion), 1:13
Fourth Quarter
M: Jonathan Campbell 6 pass to Eddie Whipple (pass failed), :52.7
This story was first published at OrlandoSentinel.com. Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
