Maclay rallied for a dramatic team victory Thursday at Capital City Country Club, overcoming a late three-stroke deficit to force a playoff and defeat Leon in the boys varsity team stroke-play event. The event, held Sept. 17, featured Maclay, Leon, Aucilla Christian and Community Leadership Academy competing during the regular season under the Florida High School Athletic Association.
With two groups still on the course, Maclay found itself three strokes behind Leon and in need of a strong finish to have a chance at the team title. Leon appeared poised to close out the victory, but Maclay continued to battle. Austin Nobles came through with a clutch birdie to help erase the deficit and bring the teams level at the end of regulation. The teams finished tied, sending the event to a one-hole playoff. Maclay turned to Brody Mitchell, who defeated Leon’s Liam Minton on the playoff hole to give the Marauders the team victory.
Minton and Leon teammate Solomon Hardy shared the top individual score of the day, both finishing at even-par 36. Hardy and Minton were the only players in the field to break 37, while Aucilla Christian’s Collin Campbell, Maclay’s Nobles and Mitchell all finished at 38 (+2).
Nobles and Mitchell’s 38s played an important role in Maclay’s comeback, while Cameron Kise added a 40 (+4). Eighth grader Brayden Swiney rounded out Maclay’s leading group with a 43 (+7), followed by Jackson Amos at 44 (+8) and Downing Jordan at 46 (+10).
Leon was led by Hardy and Minton at even-par 36. Andrew Suber shot a 43 (+7), while Hudson Gardner and Aubrey Turner finished with rounds of 44 (+8) and 46 (+10), respectively.
Campbell led Aucilla Christian with a 38 (+2), followed by Sawyer Wiles at 41 (+5), Maddox Cruce at 47 (+11), Gavin Thompson at 49 (+13), Beau Bethea at 51 (+15) and Walker Pavlik at 55 (+19).
Community Leadership Academy was led by David Boulware, who shot a 43 (+7). Liam Rodriguez finished at 46 (+10), Micah Decker at 50 (+14), Owen Demeter at 59 (+23) and Caleb Link at 63 (+27).
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