Sports

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. The 'Cudas won at home tonight over the Palm Bay Pirates, 8-7, to reach the round of eight in the District 4A playoffs behind the running of Stephen Jackson, who scored on a late 4th quarter touchdown and two-point conversion.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. The New Smyrna Beach High School 'Cudas defeated Spruce Creek 43-0 before a big crowd at Homecoming earlier tonight. At left, the defense was all over the Creek squad, stifling both the running and passing plays. At center, quaterback A.J. Granger led a balanced offensive attack. At right, 'Cudas alumnus and Mayor Adam Barringer got a close-up view of the games on the sidelines.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. See game story previously posted on NSBNEWS.net.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. Visiting Seabreeze was too much on both sides of the ball for the 'Cudas at home Friday night in a 33-14 loss. Senior quarterback A.J. Granger handed off to running back Stephen Jackson for a first-half score and scored himself on a second half goal-line plunge, but scoring opportunities were few and far between.

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. The New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas opened the 2009-'10 football season at home Friday night with a 33-7 romping of the Pine Ridge Panthers of Deltona. At left, Stephen Jackson scores his second touchdown run of the game. In the middle, the 'Cudas offense dominated much of the game, especially in the second half, thanks to a strong offensive line and ball control by quarterback A.J. Granger (top right) to his running backs, Jackson, who had three TD runs and Raheem Mostert (No. 31), who had two TD runs, including a 95-yarder by Mostert.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- For the first time in his three years as head coach of the New Smyrna Beach High School 'Cudas football team, Rocky Yocam opened the season with a win, and at home no less. This wasn't just a win, but a romp Friday night over the Pine Ridge High Panthers of Deltona, 33-7.

Editor's Note: One week after the New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas finished the 2008 football season with a convincing 21-13 victory over the DeLand Bulldogs, Peter Mallory, a member of the 1952 squad that triumphed in the miracle on the gridiron, was so thrilled by what the 21st-century team had done against their playoff-bound opponents that he was inspired to write this story:

The one thing you had to admire about first year Coach Pete Maman was that he showed absolutely no signs of the panic and despair that must have gripped him as he looked out over the practice field. No matter how many times he counted heads he could only find 12 candidates who had shown up for his first August practice session at New Smyrna High School in 1952. I was among them.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 'Cudas family is comprised of much more than the football team. The cheerleaders, the Show Dolls and the Band all contribute to the festive atmosphere of New Smyrna Beach High School football.

Enjoy the video shot by Sera King of NSBNEWS.net at Friday's season finale at the New Smyrna Beach sports complex, won, of course by the 'Cudas over the visiting DeLand Bulldogs, 21-13.

You can read our previous story for game highlights.