No. 6 Mainland Buccaneers (1-1) at No. 3 Dr. Phillips Panthers (2-0)

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Bill Spoone Stadium, Orlando (6500 Turkey Lake Rd.)

TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Mainland – Scott Wilson (8th, 73-16); Dr. Phillips – Rodney Wells (7th, 69-12)

About the matchup: After two weeks off due to Hurricane Irma, Dr. Phillips and Mainland return to the field for Central Florida’s top matchup in Week 5.  

Mainland last played on September 4 – a 35-24 loss against Bartram Trail than snapped the Bucs’ 30-game home winning streak. The Bucs lone victory this season came in a 24-0 season opening shutout of rival DeLand. Friday represents a homecoming of sorts for quarterback Jake Novello, who played in Orange County at Ocoee last season. A strong wide receiving corps includes FSU commit D’Marcus Adams, Brian Jenkins, Tank Dell and Michael Bussey. The offensive line has size and experience with four returning starters. Senior tackle Adonis Boone committed to USF in early August. Defensively, a physical front is led by Julio Thompson, a first team all-state performer last season, and second year starter Kevon McCrary. The secondary received a boost when FSU commit Johnathan Huggins transferred from Pine Ridge. The Bucs have won 10 or more games in four consecutive seasons.

Dr. Phillips suffered another gut wrenching playoff loss last season, allowing a 10-0 lead to slip away against Miami Southridge in the 8A state championship game. The Panthers offense received a boost in the offseason when quarterback BeSean McCray transferred from East Ridge. McCray has been terrific so far as the Panthers starter, throwing for 418 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while running for 147 yards and another score. Junior Devodney Alford was part of a crowded backfield last year but has positioned himself as the feature back this season. He has 344 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games. DP’s offensive line has four returning starters and that unit is considered a strength. Miami commit John Campbell anchors that group. Identical twins Japerri and Jaquarri Powell have emerged as leaders for the Panthers defense. Athletic lineman Cameron Williams, Brice Ingram and Joe Gulla make for a formidable front. The secondary includes a pair of high major recruits – Virginia Tech commit Braxton Clark and Tennessee commit Tanner Ingle. Ingle has yet to play a down this season and is questionable for Friday’s game. He had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the preseason.   

Three and out:

1. Mainland has won both meetings between these teams and rolled up 520 yards of offense in last year’s 42-21 victory.

2. Since 2000, Mainland has won 174 games – that’s the highest total of any program in Central Florida.

3. DP’s last four playoff losses have come by a total of nine points, including a 14-10 defeat in last year’s 8A state championship game against Miami Southridge.