SEPTEMBER 1986
SPACE COAST FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
ASTRONAUT WAR EAGLES
HEAD COACH: B. MACK (15[sup]th[/sup] year, 139-24, 1 State Championship, 4 Sectional Championships, 8 Regional Championships, 10 district championships)
CLASS/DISTRICT: 3A, 5
1985 RECORD: 10-1 (District Champions)
Roster Size: 40 (23 seniors, 25 juniors, 4 sophomores)
SENIORS CARRY ON TRADITION FOR WAR EAGLES
Astronaut once again will be a favorite on the Space Coast to capture a district crown. Leading the way will be a talented senior class which will try to extend a 35 game regular season winning streak. The War Eagles lost only 9 seniors to graduation from last year’s team and boast a strong class seniors. They will have a chance to break the state record this season, which is held by now-defunct Euclid high school of Deland, which won 40 straight regular season games from 1941-1945.
Coach B. Mack will have to turn to a new signal caller as his son Keith Mack is now a freshman at Auburn. Mack didn’t have to look too far, actually just down the hall in his house, to find a replacement. Another Mack will get the starting nod, sophomore Brodie. “We don’t need him to be a superstar, really just turn around and hand the ball off,” said the Coach.
“We’ve got a great offensive line and a really talented running back this year.” That back is Joe Britt. Britt led the team in rushing and receiving last year. The 5 foot 9, 170 pound senior rushed for 727 yards and 6 touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also picked off 4 passes from his defensive back spot and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
The War Eagles defense only allowed 7 points per game in the regular season a year ago. 6 starters return led by Senior linebacker Leroy Berry who had 123 tackles and Senior defensive end Brian Waters who recorded 9 sacks. “We think we’ll be strong again,” says Mack.
A late season matchup with Orlando Jones High School looks to once again decide the district championship. Mack will seek to lead Astronaut to its 5[sup]th[/sup] such title in a row.