- November 6, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs out-wrestled the Matanzas Pirates Dec. 8, 48-19.
The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs wrestling team wasn’t going to lose two years in a row to cross-town Matanzas High School.
This year, the Bulldogs came into the Backyard Brawl with a healthier team and overcame the Pirates Dec. 8, 48-19.
The Bulldogs (7-1) improved their record to 5-1 against Matanzas (4-3), and had the meet secured with four matches still to be wrestled. FPC also won seven of 12 matches via the pin, while the Pirates managed one pin.
“Of course the cross-town rivalry is exciting for the boys,” said FPC coach Robert Bossardet. “The boys are aware of the tradition that Flagler wrestling has had in the past and are working hard to add their names to some of the great teams that have come from this school.”
Bossardet said the hard training and swagger helped his team avoid a second-consecutive loss to the Pirates.
“They walked into the gym with a chip on their shoulder, and they wrestled like it,” Bossardet said. “They did an excellent job bringing the intensity that is expected of them and using techniques that we have worked on in the room.”
The Bulldogs got pins from Byron Lively (112 pounds), J.Z. Williams (140), Nick Michael (145), Ian Kelsey (152), Johnny Barrett (189), Nick Shaw (215) and Derron Green (heavyweight).
Williams’ pin came in 10 seconds, while Lively, Michael and Barrett all pinned their opponents in less than a minute.
Zac Epps, the 125-pound senior, recorded the only pin for Matanzas.
Matanzas coach John White said his team came out with a much higher intensity level last year.
“The guys really wanted to beat them for the first time in their gym,” White said. “This year we came out flat. The intensity wasn’t there.”
Bulldogs head to Lyman tourney
The Bulldogs will travel southwest to compete in the 37th-annual Lyman Christmas Tournament Friday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 18.
Bossardet said the tournament showcases many of the region’s top programs, as well as top schools from the Miami area.
The goal, Bossardet said, is for each individual to win his respective weight class. The Bulldogs placed four wrestlers in the tournament year.
Going forward, Bossardet said his team needs to stay humble and maintain focus going forward.
“We need to earn the right to be called champions,” he said. “We haven’t done that yet; however, we are focused and prepared to do the work it will take to reach our goal.”
Pirates head to River City Duals
The Pirates will travel north to compete in the River City Duals Friday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 18, at University High School, in Jacksonville.
White said the team will wrestle nine matches in two days against tough teams, such as Fleming Island, Wakulla and Lake City.
RESULTS
FPC 48, MATANZAS 19
103: White (M) major dec. Kenny, 12-3
112: Lively (F) p. Salcedo, :58
119: Ford (F) dec. Nieves, 10-4
125: Epps (M) p. Owens, 1:55
130: Infante (M) dec. Prazeras, 6-5
135: Double forfeit
140: Williams (F) p. Lebron, :10
145: Michael (F) p. Bower, :56
152: Kelsey (F) p. C. Dennis, 3:59
160: Gomes (F) G. Dennis, 6-5
171: Cowles (M) wins by forfeit
189: Barrett (F) p. Sanchez: 49
215: Shaw (F) p. Mendez, 1:43
HWT: Green (F) p. Murtagh, 1:57
Records: FPC 7-1, Matanzas 4-3.
