- November 26, 2024
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Despite falling behind twice in the first half, the Matanzas Pirates football team knocked off Warner Christian Thursday night, 34-22, to win its spring game.
Matanzas trailed early with two offensive mistakes. A fumble recovery for a touchdown and a safety on the next series put the Pirates in an early 9-0 hole.
But then the offense got to work, led by freshman quarterback Jeremiah Wilson. Early in the second quarter, Wilson found Marquese Jones on a 40-yard touchdown pass, making the score 9-7.
On the next series, the Pirates defense forced a Warner Christian fumble. Ian Hubbs nailed a field goal to give the Pirates their first lead, 10-9.
With about 2 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the first half, Warner scored its only touchdown against the Matanzas starting defense. Warner led 16-10 at halftime.
Warner opened the second half with an eight-minute drive but ultimately had to punt the ball away. Five plays later, the Pirates scored when Wilson found Marcous Cooper on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
With the 17-16 lead, the Pirates wouldn’t trail again. A 44-yard field goal by Hubbs and then touchdown runs by Stefan Tucker and Rahim Booker sealed the win.
Wilson was efficient, going 10-for-16 for 154 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Jones had four catches for 124 yards and one TD. In the backfield, junior Brandon Fagen carried the ball 14 times for 61 yards. Matanzas coach Keith Lagocki said Fagen also did an exceptional job blocking as the RB.
On defense, the Pirates forced five turnovers — three fumbles and two interceptions.
Overall, Lagoacki was pleased with his team’s resiliency.
“In past years, when we were down 9-0, our players would’ve gotten down on themselves,” Lagocki said. “It would’ve been hard for us to come back from that.”
Lagocki believes the bond his team has will help them in the fall.
“We’ve had more talented teams, but I don’t know if we’ve ever had — this early — as close knit a team as this group,” he said.
