- November 5, 2024
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Dougladson Subtyl squatted on the track as the clock read triple zeros. Most of the players shook hands with First Coast, but not the senior defensive end. It wasn’t because he was being a poor sport. It was because he was devastated, heartbroken. He was lifeless.
There weren’t many words to be said by Flagler Palm Coast coach Caesar Campana following his team’s 35-34 heartbreaking loss to First Coast on Friday night.
“These guys— ,” Campana said, before stopping to gather his thoughts. “It’s a shame.”
Just moments before, FPC (4-3, 1-2 District 1-8A) was on the field to kick a game-tying extra point to send the game to a second round of overtime. But First Coast (6-1, 2-0 District 1-8A) blocked the kick to secure the come-from-behind win.
The loss puts FPC in a dire situation to make the state playoffs. The Bulldogs would need some major help from Mandarin and Ocala West Port to get back into the playoff picture.
After the game, Campana spoke as if his team was eliminated.
“That’s one thing we wanted to do: As young as we are, we wanted to get to the playoffs this year,” he said.
FPC led 28-14 with about six minutes to go in the game, but short punts and good field position allowed First Coast quarterback De’Andre Johnson — who is verbally committed to Florida State University — to toss two touchdown passes and tie the game, forcing overtime.
First Coast scored on third-and-13 to take a 35-28 lead in overtime. But FPC’s offense responded when quarterback Dalton Thomas found Dee Lumpkins for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
But First Coast sealed the win when it blocked the extra-point attempt.
Trailing 14-7 with eight seconds to go in the first half, Lumpkins scored on a 60-yard touchdown run as time expired in the first half to tie the game at 14-14. Lumpkins also scored on a four-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.
Thomas found Marcel Thomas for a 61-yard touchdown pass with about seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Then First Coast began its comeback.
“We made big plays when we needed to, but sometimes, we should have made bigger plays,” Campana said. “We played our hearts out.”
Subtyl finished the game with double-digit sacks, leading a defensive line that forced First Coast’s Johnson to scramble around and make big plays on his own.
“We’ll learn from it and grow from it,” Campana said. “We’re a good football team and still have two games to play. It’s just tough; these kids played their hearts out. I’m always proud of them.”
Flagler Palm Coast will have a bye week. The Bulldogs host Mandarin 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in another District 1-8A game.
