- November 4, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
After a two-hour rain delay, the Matanzas Pirates (1-3) took the muddy field against the Creekside Knights on Friday, Oct. 3, at Matanzas High School. The Pirates were not able to hold on to their 6-0 lead through the fourth quarter and ended up losing 7-6.
Matanzas drove the ball down the field on their first possession, and quarterback and kicker, Ian Hubbs, finished the drive with a 39-yard field goal. Just before halftime Hubbs nailed another field goal, 37 yards ,to put the Pirates up 6-0.
The Pirates’ defense had their way with the Knights throughout the entire game, one drive. They forced three fumbles, recovered them all, and the Knights rarely posed a threat in the Pirates’ territory.
When the Pirates forced the Knights to punt near the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, running back Daniel Dillard lost a fumble in Matanzas’ territory. The Knights made the Pirates pay for the mistake by scoring the only touchdown of the night and kicking the extra point to take the outright lead.
Matanzas could not convert a fourth down with 50 seconds left in the game, and they lost their homecoming game 7-6.
“We did a lot smart things,” coach Robert Ripley said. “We held the ball.The time of possession was so far in our favor. It’s unfortunate. The frustrating part about this lost is not finishing.”
According to Ripley, Dillard ran the ball over 30 times and collected over 100 yards.
“After he fumbled, I told him that he would get another shot,” he said. “I told him that he got us this far, and he was going to take us forward.”
Hubbs wasn’t able to find his rhythm throwing the ball, but he made two big field goals that seemed as though they were going to be enough.
“You never know when it’s enough until it’s over,” Hubbs said. “Anybody can win at any time. But, we’ll come back next week and work hard. It’s a loss. It’s not fun, but it’s not the end of the world.”
The Pirates’ next game will be against Pine Ridge on Friday, Oct. 10, in Deltona.
The 2014 homecoming court for Matanzas was JarlenePeralta and Colin Young.
