Mainland has dominated their series with Lake Wales the past two years winning by a combined score 95-19. Things were not much different for the Highlanders Friday night at Legion Field.
Lake Wales' 9-7 lead in the first quarter was short lived as the Buccaneers scored 46 unanswered points to win in a rout 53-9.
Mainland entered the game with the Associated Press Florida high school Class 6A No. 2 ranking
The Bucs got on the board first when quarterback Denzel Houston scored on a 10 yard keeper to make it 7-0. Houston finished with 246 all-purpose yards, 204 passing and 42 rushing.
Lake Wales scored on their first play from scrimmage in the first quarter. Senior running back Justin Henderson ripped off a 75-yard run for a touchdown. The point after failed, but a 37-yard field goal by Spencer Maldonado later in the quarter gave the Highlanders a two point edge.
That is where Mainland took over and never looked back, leading 39-9 at the half.
The Bucs improve to 3-0, while Lake Wales drops to 2-1.