No. 9 Heritage Panthers (9-2) vs. No. 1 Mainland Buccaneers (10-1)

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach (3917 LPGA Blvd.)

TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Heritage – Mark Ainsley (2nd, 17-6); Mainland – Scott Wilson (6th, 60-13)

About the matchup: Heritage heads to Daytona Beach searching for its biggest win in program history while Mainland hopes to continue its march toward a state championship.    

Heritage is rapidly becoming a force along the Space Coast. The Panthers scored a season high 56 points in last week’s win against Deltona and they are attempting to reach the third round of the playoffs for the third straight season. Quarterback Daeshawn Mills directs Heritage’s spread option attack that has produced three backs with more than 900 yards rushing this season. Mills (1,088 yds, 14 TD) is the team’s leading rusher while Lasedrick King (1,016 yds, 11 TD) and Josh Gaines (909 yds, 8 TD) are steady contributors. Gaines, one of Central Florida’s most well rounded players, also starts at strong safety and is fourth on the team with 91 tackles. Davonte Bartley, who was recently selected to the Central Florida All-Star game, is Heritage’s leading tackler with 133 and 14 for loss. The Panthers are allowing 11.5 points per game, which is second best in Central Florida behind Bishop Moore.

Mainland, which has lost in the state semifinals three of the last four years, has been focused on a state championship since the start of summer workouts. The Bucs, who boast high major college prospects at every position, are the No. 2 ranked team in 6A behind undefeated Armwood. Mainland started slow last week against Treasure Coast but outscored the Titans 28-0 in the second half. Quarterback Denzel Houston has accounted for more than 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns on offense. Adrian Killins, who missed the final three games of the regular season with an ankle injury, is back at full strength and is averaging nearly nine yards per carry. Randy Baker has emerged on both sides of the ball – he’s Mainland’s leading receiver with 861 yards and 12 touchdowns and he recorded two interceptions last week. The Bucs defensive leaders include Keevin Gillard (113 tk, 23 TFL, 8 sacks), recent FAU commit Kevin McCrary (64 tk, 31 TFL) and recent Florida commit Jachai Polite (40 tk, 17 TFL, 2 TD).

Three and out:

1. This is Mainland’s 22nd consecutive playoff appearance, the fourth longest active streak in the state.   

2. Heritage’s defense has allowed just nine total points in the second half of their 10 games.

3. Mainland’s defense, which has given up 10 points in the last four games, has 169 tackles for loss and 52 sacks.