Gulf Breeze capped its regular season Nov. 6 by plowing under the Tate Aggies, 31-9.
The Dolphins (2-4) travel Thursday to Daytona Beach to square off against the Seabreeze Sandcrabs (3-4) in the first round of the 6A-1 playoffs. This is their return to the postseason after missing out last year.
The Sandcrabs backed into the 2020 playoffs, entering with a two-game skid.
Last week’s score was the Dolphins’ second biggest night offensively this season – both victories.
Troy Coughlin had a huge night with three touchdowns. He scored on an 85-yard punt return in the first quarter, and the senior galloped for 182 yards on 26 carries and two rushing TDs on the night.
Gulf Breeze spotted the Aggies a six-point lead – on a 40-yard touchdown run – in the first quarter before outgunning their guests 21-3 the rest of the first half. The score remained static until the fourth quarter, featuring Coughlin’s 60-yard rushing touchdown with under five minutes on the clock.
The Dolphins signal-caller, Ryland McCurdy completed 7-of-10 passes for 64 yards — three to C. Hepworth. However, McCurdy connected with Brock Clayton on a 15-yard scoring strike.
Defensively, Gulf Breeze picked off Aggie quarterback Caleb Shelby twice; however, Tate still racked up 164 yards in the air. Zamir Dyer was Shelby’s favorite target with seven receptions for 50 yards.