Jacob Gettman's game-winning field goal lifts Mainland to first state title since 2003

The Buccaneers overcome two special teams miscues to win the program's first title in two decades

Author:
Andy Villamarzo
Updated:
Dec 7, 2023 8:06 PM EST
Original:
Dec 7, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – One thing Mainland place-kicker Jacob Gettman wasn't worried about was lining up for another opportunity.

Gettman had a kick blocked earlier in Thursday afternoon's Class 3S state championship game against St. Augustine, and it was returned for a touchdown.

That didn't deter Buccaneers' head coach Travis Roland from calling on Gettman for another chance and this time, to etch his name into Mainland history.

Gettman knocked down a 22-yard field goal with time expiring to lift Mainland to a 21-19 victory over St. Augustine for the program's first state title since 2003. For Gettman, it seemed like just another day at the office for the senior kicker.

"I was excited. It's a big moment and I'm just glad I made it," Gettman said. "No, I always knew it could come down to this and I made the most of it. It was great and I'm glad I made it. I'm happy to bring (a title) back to Mainland."

The highly anticipated tilt between the programs started with a bang when junior Trenton Jones took the opening kickoff back 97-yards to pay-dirt, giving St. Augustine an early 7-0 lead. That was just the beginning of special teams woes for Mainland in the first half.

The first of Gettman's field goal attempts came late in the first quarter, but it was blocked and St. Augustine's Marquice King scooped up the ball and returned it for a touchdown. Leading 13-0 heading into the second quarter, it seemed like all the momentum was with the Yellow Jackets.

What lived up to the billing was the play of Mainland's vaunted front seven, led by Florida commitment LJ McCray and Tulane commitment Rodney Hill. The Buccaneers' defense chased and harassed St. Augustine quarterback Locklan Hewlett (Wake Forest commitment) throughout the game. Hewlett was kept in check, completing 11-of-15 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Mainland's offense relied upon the scrambling abilities of dual-threat quarterback Dennis Murray Jr. to produce yards and he did a nice job up until reaching the red zone. On the Buccaneers one opportunity inside of the Yellow Jackets' 5-yard line, they ended up turning over the ball on downs.

The Yellow Jackets began to find a little bit of life on offense towards the tail end of the second quarter, with running back Devonte Lyons notching a couple of first downs. That helped jump start them over the final two quarters.

If you looked at halftime stats between the two teams, though, the Buccaneers out-gained the Yellow Jackets 220-40, but St. Augustine walked into intermission with a 13-0 advantage.

Murray Jr. was seemingly unstoppable when it came to creating with his legs as the signal caller and showed off his arm as well. The senior threw for 210-yards, a touchdown and rushed for 182-yards and two scores.

Mainland took an 18-13 lead on Murray Jr.'s 45-yard scamper with 10:17 remaining in the game. St. Augustine re-took the lead on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Hewlett to wide receiver Carl Jenkins Jr. Trailing 19-18 with just over three minutes to go, the Buccaneers would get one more opportunity to win the game.

Murray Jr. drove Mainland down the field on the final drive that started right around midfield. After a couple of Hill runs inside of St. Augustine's 10-yard line, Roland made the call to have Gettman kick the game-winner.

"I keep saying I can't ask my kids to trust me in times of discomfort, in times of strife and grief, if I can't trust them," Roland said. "I had to trust Jerard Bell to make the snap. I had to trust Gavin Greathouse to get the hold. I had to trust the offensive line to make the blocks. We had to believe in each other, through and through. Through thick and thin. It was an easy decision to trust (Jacob Gettman)."

(Photos by SBLive Sports Florida photographer Matt Christopher)