- November 5, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Flagler Palm Coast continued its in-county dominance Friday night with a 59-13 win over crosstown Matanzas and remained undefeated in five Flagler Bowl matchups.
Shortly after the final play, FPC coach Caesar Campana stood in front of his players with his iPhone and snapped a picture. A win means a picture. It’s tradition.
“We dance when we win,” Campana said after the game. “Our kids get a big kick out of it. They laugh at me about it, but it’s worth it.”
FPC (1-0) used shutdown defense and special teams to put early points on the board.
For Matanzas (0-1), it wasn’t the start first-year coach Jeff Nettles envisioned for his team. He said that, as a coach, he’ll have to sell things to his players.
“They have been working harder than they have ever worked — and then this,” Nettles said, as he looked toward the scoreboard.
FPC got on the board less than three minutes into the game when Josh Belle intercepted Matanzas quarterback Jeremiah Wilson and returned it 33 yards for the touchdown.
Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Matanzas' long snap on the punt was botched, giving FPC a short field. A few plays later, Dee Lumpkins punched the ball in from the 2-yard line to give FPC a 14-0 lead about midway through the first quarter.
Drew Jones gave the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead after he converted on a 24-yard field goal with 9:25 to go in the first half.
More special teams woes continued for the Pirates when kicker/punter Ian Hubbs punted the ball into the back of his blockers. Malik Acton scooped up the ball and returned it 17 yards for the score, giving FPC a 24-0 lead.
At that point, all three of FPC’s touchdowns had come as the result of defensive and specials teams plays.
Matanzas was forced to punt again with about six minutes to go in the half. A few plays into the drive, FPC quarterback Marquis Murphy scrambled for 37 yards, putting FPC into Matanzas territory and setting up another potential score. But on the next play, Lumpkins ran off the right side and a tackler jarred the ball loose. Matanzas safety Al’Kwazi Spencer snagged the ball out of the air and returned it 67 yards to put Matanzas on the board. With 3:18 to go in the first half, FPC led 24-6.
The Bulldogs didn’t take much time to answer, though. After the kickoff, FPC running back Devonti Emanuel ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run, making it 31-6.
That appeared as if it was going to be the halftime score, but Matanzas was forced to punt deep in its own territory with about 1:32 to go in the half. And once again, special teams led to a touchdown.
Hubbs’ punt was blocked, and FPC’s Jimmie Robinson picked the ball up at the 17-yard line and trotted into the end zone, essentially putting the game away with two full quarters to play. At the half, FPC led Matanzas, 38-6.
“We take a lot of pride in our special teams,” Campana said. “We’re young on the offense, and we have to do something real well. And I think (special teams) is going to help us.”
Campana rotated out many of the starters in the second half, but the reserves still did damage.
Freshman running back Queshaun Byrd rushed for 127 yards on nine carries, including touchdown runs of 67 yards and 25 yards. All of that came in the second half. Junior Caleb Tassy also had a 6-yard touchdown run.
“That’s the kind of kids we have here: We have kids who can scat,” Campana said. “And we’re just trying to get our big bodies in front of them and find holes.”
Murphy finished 2-for-5 for 13 yards, but, on Friday, he didn’t have to pass much. Murphy added scrambles of 27 yards and 35 yards.
Last week, Campana rotated between Murphy and Dalton Thomas at quarterback, but Murphy got the bulk of the playing time against Matanzas. That will likely continue, Campana said.
“Marquis has gotten much better,” he said. “So has Dalton. I just wish we had a chance to throw the ball some more, but that’s the way it is. A win is a win. That’s a good win for our kids.”
There were some positives for Matanzas despite the lopsided loss, Nettles said. The team stuck together for all 48 minutes. Also, Stefan Tucker carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards. Nettles praised Tucker’s competitiveness and desire.
“He is unbelievable,” Nettles said. “He might be (140 pounds), but about 100 pounds of that is heart. He is so competitive.”
Wilson finished the game 7-for-17 for 54 yards. Rahim Booker had three carries for 12 yards and a touchdown, which came late in the fourth quarter.
Nettles said there are a few players who didn’t play in Friday’s game but could be back as the season continues. Still, he took responsibility for the team’s special teams lapses.
“That’s the danger of coaching the way I do — guaranteeing that hard work pays off,” Nettles said. “We have to make sure we continue to work hard until we see it. ... It’s a year-long process, and we have to keep chopping wood and keep working. It’s hard.”
FPC continues its season 7 p.m. Friday at Seabreeze. Matanzas continues its season 7 p.m. Friday at Crescent City.
Follow @aobrien7 on Twitter.
