Hooves of Mustangs scraping the shores of the bay are heard, ready to pounce. feisty Stingrays are ready to defend their waters.
A Goliath getting ready to face a David.
It’s the good old-fashioned Mandarin vs Atlantic Coast rivalry that has stood for 13 years and counting, a star-studded Mandarin team facing off against a familiar foe in the newly remodeled Stingrays. Both of these teams are looking to defend their undefeated seasons. The Stingray student section is a sea of black with heads bopping up and down.
Linebackers Coach Rique Bentley said before the game, “I’ve coached and mentored players from both teams. It’s kind of a full circle moment to be here watching them all on one field. I’m thankful to be in the position I am in. In regard to the game, it’s my birthday week and I’m a sore loser! Ultimately, I want the boys to have a great time and have fun! I’m ready to shock the city.”
An opening kickoff blunder by the Stingrays led to a touchdown catch by the newest Texas Longhorn, Jaime Ffrench Jr, followed by a failed two-point conversion by the Mustangs. 6-0 out of the gate.
The first quarter ended with the Mustangs leading 12-0. The Stingray defensive line helped keep Atlantic Coast at reaching distance of an upset win.
But the Mustangs had something to say about that narrative…
Despite the Mustangs losing their star quarterback Tramell Jones to a left-foot injury, a 16-point second quarter would propel them to a 28-0 lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter was highlighted by a Stingray interception by Jabari Macmillan, as the momentum shifted towards the Stingrays as that sea of black, which was now just a lake of black, turned back up a notch.
But that didn’t stop the Mustang star power. Stingray quarterback Zane Toelle threw a pivotal interception inside the Stingrays own 10-yard line.
This interception would lead to 13 more points for the Mustangs in the third quarter and now with a 41-0 lead. The Stingrays would need a Poseidon miracle to turn the tides.
With a 48-0 final score, the Stingrays were unable to get on the board, but what was expected was excepted and with a 1-1 record on the year, a loss to the number one seeded team in Northeast Florida is not something to hang your stinger on.
