The Eustis Middle School Mustangs are one win from a flag football championship after a 28-24 playoff victory over Minneola Charter.

Eustis Middle will face East Ridge Middle School at 6 p.m. Monday at East Ridge High School for the title.

The Mustangs finished the regular season 9-1 for the second straight year and won Lake County’s North Division. Last year, their championship hopes ended with a last-second playoff loss to Imagine Charter.

Twins Bryson and Jaxson Seward, nicknamed the “Terror Twins” by their coach, have led the offense. Bryson, the quarterback, has thrown 25 touchdown passes and run for 10 more with just three interceptions. Jaxson, a wide receiver, has scored 10 touchdowns receiving and rushing.

Eighth-grader Robert Kelly has caught 12 touchdown passes. Conner Lannert has contributed on both sides of the ball with eight touchdowns and seven interception returns for touchdowns.

In the playoff win over Minneola Charter, eighth-grader Nick Pride caught two touchdown passes and three extra-point passes. Defensive standout Karson Tanner set a school record this season before suffering an injury.

The team’s biggest accomplishment, though, came off the field, says coach Shaun Smith. For the first time in his career, he has led a team with zero academic or behavioral problems all season.

“That accomplishment reflects the character, discipline and accountability demonstrated by the young athletes both on and off the field,” Smith says.

“For the eighth graders, the championship game provides one final opportunity to leave their mark on the Eustis Middle School football program,” Smith says.