RIVIERA BEACH – Dreams come true if one believes and works on them.
This is the primary mantra of Inlet Grove, a high school football team that has been left in the purgatory for the past several years in terms of its perception in our area. This is the mantra of a program that hasn’t sniffed a playoff appearance since 2012, the year it won a district title and had at least two superstar players on its team in former standouts Ja’Quan Napier and Shawun Lurry.
Fast forward to six years later, and now we see a program that has successfully rebuilt, albeit on a much smaller scale this time.
It’s different from the 2012 banner season, when Inlet Grove won five games and its first FHSAA district title in Class 4A. It’s all about this current team now, a Hurricanes squad that has five wins notched under their belt and can add one more with an upset win tonight at Mt. Dora Christian in the first round of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs.
The journey this year for Inlet Grove (5-3) has had its ups and downs. It includes a humbling 35-14 loss to Jupiter Christian on Oct. 13, but it also includes some victories over the likes of Somerset Academy Canyons (18-2 win on Aug. 24) and Berean Christian (26-13 win on Oct. 4).
Key players for Inlet Grove include the following:
Michael Alford – 8 catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns; 28 carries for 223 yards and two touchdowns; 32 tackles on defense
Alonzo McClain – interception, six PBU’s; 97-yard fumble recovery for touchdowns, and 19 tackles
Alphonzo McClain – 29 catches for 286 yds and six touchdowns; interception and nine tackles on defense
Saneal Reynolds – nine catches for 82 yards and a touchdown; two sacks, an interception, and 13 tackles on defense
Manphanee Holmes – 59-98 for 545 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just three interceptions; 16 rushes for 133 yards and two touchdowns
Qadir Plasir – seven sacks (team high) and 13 tackles for loss
Head coach Robert McKay offered his commentary on how the season has gone for Inlet Grove.
“It’s an amazing feeling to get to the playoffs,” McKay said. “Not many thought we would be in this position when I first took this job. But we’re here now, and it’s only the beginning.”
SSAC playoff information: Inlet Grove is No. 6 seed in the Coral League and will play on the road tonight (7 p.m. kickoff) at No. 3 Mt. Dora Christian in Mt. Dora (Orlando area).
Can Inlet Grove extend its surprise season at least another week? We’ll all find out later tonight.
