- November 23, 2024
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The Flagler Knights (0-2) lost its home opening game to the Gainesville Gators 19-0 Saturday, Feb. 7, at Edward Johnson City Park in Bunnell.
The Knights got off to a great start, forcing and recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff of the game. After that play, Flagler had very little to smile about. Nearing the end of the first quarter, the Gators struck first with a 15-yard touchdown run to go up 6-0, missing the extra point.
Inside the two-minute warning before halftime, Flagler gave up a late 47-yard touchdown pass to go down 13-0 at the break. On Flagler’s opening drive of the second half, Gainesville grabbed a second interception of the game. The very next play, the Gators expanded the lead to 19-0 with another touchdown pass.
Though the offense couldn’t produce any positive yardage, the defense made plays but not enough to overcome the offensive woes. Earl Robinson recorded the only sack for the Knights, which resulted in a turnover on downs, and Kevin Duhart made an impactful tackle that caused a fumble, but Flagler wasn’t able to recover it. The Knights switched quarterbacks throughout the game, throwing a total of three interceptions.
“The Gators were a good, stout team, and I guess we weren’t ready,” coach Charlie Washington said. “We’ll go back to the drawing board and do what we have to do to get better.
"I appreciate the community coming out to support us, and we want them to know that we are going to get better. We have a really great team, but our guys need to start using the coaching techniques over their athletic abilities.”
The Knights will have a bye this weekend and will seek their first win of the season against the Jacksonville X-men Saturday, Feb. 21, at Edward Johnson Park.