- November 25, 2024
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Matanzas football opened up its year with a 28-21 preseason win over Pedro Menendez on Friday, Aug. 22, at Matanzas High School. The win was Pirates’ first in seven meetings over their St. Augustine counterparts.
Anferne Brown, Daniel Dillard, Marquis Murphy and Andre Bodison all scored touchdowns for Matanzas, with Ian Hubbs a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points.
But less than three minutes into the game, the Pedro Menendez Falcons took the lead on a 46-yard touchdown run, then doubled their lead to 14-0 six minutes later on a 10-yard run.
Matanzas' starting quarterback Marquis Murphy got off to a shaky start for the Pirates, completing just two of his first 10 passes.
But, the second quarter was all Matanzas, who scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead, shortly before the Falcons tied things up heading into the half.
After finding his rhythm, and completing seven of 10 passes, Murphy left the game midway through the second quarter with an injury, forcing kicker Ian Hubbs to take over under center.
It was Hubbs who finally connected with receiver Andre Bodison for a 38-yard touchdown pass, putting Matanzas up 28-21 to seal the victory. The varsity teams finished after three quarters, to allow the junior varsity squads to play the fourth.
Up next for the Pirates: the Crosstown Showdown with Flagler Palm Coast next Friday, at Matanzas. See the print edition for a story on Coach Robert Ripley, who celebrated his 34th birthday with a win in the first preseason game in his tenure as Matanzas' head coach.
