- September 21, 2024
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FPC's Demetra Kasttritis returns an interception against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Chyna Phillips attempts to pull the flag of a Spruce Creek player. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Breaza Robinson runs the ball against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Marisa Kong leaps for an interception against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs celebrate after Marisa Kong's (No. 4) interception. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Emma Brito smiles after a Bulldogs win. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Breaza Robinson attempts to dodge a pair of Spruce Creek defenders. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Demetra Kasttritis returns an interception against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
With the Bulldogs leading 13-6 in the final moments of the fourth quarter, Spruce Creek's flag football team had one last chance to tie or win the game. The Hawks’ quarterback launched the ball down the field toward a receiver, but Bulldogs defensive back Demetra Kasttritis jumped the route, intercepting the pass.
She was full of excitement and energy as she sprinted down the field toward the end zone at Flagler Palm Coast High School. In her second year of playing flag football, it was Kasttritis’ first-ever interception.
It took her a brief moment to realize she was going the wrong way.
“I noticed my whole sideline pointing in the other direction,” Kasttritis said with a laugh after FPC's win over the Hawks on the night of Thursday, April 4. “I was so happy and proud of myself.”
The Bulldogs were coming off a four-game losing streak and had only scored three touchdowns in the first five games of their season.
It was time for a change.
“I think we’re on a roll now. That was a good team we played against. We were able to outlast them.”
James Gambone, FPC coach
They made a switch at quarterback on Thursday night, opting to install team captain Breaza Robinson, who had never played the position previously, as the team’s signal caller.
“She handled it really well,” Bulldogs head coach James Gambone said. “She made good plays. She made good decisions.”
The Bulldogs led 7-6 for much of the game.
And midway through the fourth quarter, The Bulldogs' offense appeared to stall again. However, facing a critical third down inside FPC's on 20-yard line, the Bulldogs' Marisa Kong hauled in a deep pass over the outstretched arms of a Hawks defender that put the Bulldogs within 15 yards of the goal line. Robinson made a leaping grab over a defender for a touchdown two plays later.
In addition, Kong, a transfer from rival Matanzas High School, had only played on offense prior to this season. She recorded two interceptions against the Hawks on Thursday night.
“I’m an aggressive person, and I like competition,” she said. “I never give up.”
And she, like the rest of the team, hasn’t given up on the Bulldogs’ chances in the playoffs.
“We have a lot of talent on this team, and I think we deserve to make it,” she said.
