The Master’s Academy rallies past Mount Dora Christian in district battle

Freshman Zazir McMillan throws for three scores as Eagles capture their third straight victory; Melboure edges Harmony

OVIEDO, FLORIDA – The Master’s Academy Eagles are soaring now, thanks to the nifty passing of a freshman quarterback and a bend-but-don’t break defense.

Ninth-grader Nazir McMillan threw three touchdown passes, Zach Weaver ran for a score and TMA’s defense hung tough in the fourth quarter in a wild 28-21 Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) victory against visiting Mount Dora Christian on Tuesday night.

It was TMA’s biggest win of the season and comes just as the SSAC playoffs are approaching. In winning their third consecutive game, the Eagles ran their record to 4-3.

The Master's Academy got three touchdown passes from freshman Nazir McMillan (1) and a TD run from Zach Weaver (42) in a 28-21 comeback win against Mount Dora Christian / Photo courtesy of Jay Weaver

MDC (3-4), meanwhile, lost its second consecutive game after blowing a 14-0 first-quarter lead. The Bulldogs last season finished as SSAC state runner-up.

“Lots of fight in this group,” said TMA coach Bailey Granier. “They don’t waver after early mistakes. They just keep grinding. This group has been maturing throughout the season. It’s our third win in a row.”

MDC jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on an interception return for a touchdown with 8 minutes, 5 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs then forged ahead 14-0 on a 29-yard TD run by senior Isaiah Bryant with 4:19 left in the opening quarter.

But TMA came roaring back behind the athleticism of McMillan, who jump-started the rally with a 22-yard scoring toss to Jackson Vallery. Weaver then bulled in for the two-point conversion and the Eagles trailed 14-8 at halftime.

McMillan continued his hot hand in the third quarter when he connected with Luke Bovin on a 22-yard TD pass down the middle with just 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Eagles converted the two-point conversion, but a penalty negated the score. TMA then had its extra-point kick blocked, leaving the score tied at 14-14.

The fourth quarter was a fireworks show with the schools combining for 21 points. TMA took its first lead of the game, 21-14, with 9:58 left when Vallery hauled in a 32-yard TD pass from McMillan. That lead lasted all but 15 seconds as MDC returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to tie the game again at 21-21.

With the game on the line, TMA rallied once more and Weaver put the Eagles over the top with a 2-yard TD run with 7:37 left. TMA’s defense then held MDC for the win.

“Really proud of the team for fighting all the way back,” said Weaver, a junior who recently was voted as the best running back in Seminole County at midseason on Scorebook Live. “The defense was amazing all night long and we never felt like we were out of this one. Great team win!”

Melbourne 9, Harmony 7

Mel-Hi (6-2, 2-0) rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit to beat the Longhorns and come within one victory of clinching the Class 4 Suburban, District 11 title.

The Bulldogs can win the district championship with a victory against visiting Viera on Oct. 28.

Harmony (4-3, 1-1), however, looked like it was going to be the victor early on behind the running of Tyler Emans and a stingy defense. Emans broke up a scoreless game with 9 minutes left in the second quarter on a 28-yard TD run to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead.

But Mel-Hi’s defense stiffened in the second half, holding Harmony scoreless. That allowed the Bulldogs to mount a comeback, beginning with Trevor Causey’s 34-yard field goal with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.

Trailing 7-3 entering the fourth quarter, Mel-Hi then got a 41-yard TD pass from Hunter Turner to Jalen Clarke to go ahead 9-7 with 5:00 left. The Bulldogs missed the PAT and held on for the win.