- December 28, 2024
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Chris Parks ran for over 150 yards and three touchdowns against Matanzas. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
While COVID-19 led to many alterations from the crosstown atmosphere, such as ticket sales, stadium attendance and even school band activities, the pandemic couldn’t stop Flagler Palm Coast from remaining dominant in the Potato Bowl. The Bulldogs shut out Matanzas 38-0 on Friday, Sept. 18, at FPC High School.
The rivalry didn’t take long to get physical; players got into a scuffle on the opening kickoff and remained chippy throughout the game. Both teams also picked up several unsportsmanlike penalties, due to their physical play.
But, when it came to the play between the whistle, FPC dominated both sides of the ball from beginning to end. Running back Chris Parks led the Dawgs, rushing for 165 yards and three touchdowns while Preston Roberts completed nine passes for 150 yards and two scores to David Stubbs and Kent Hill. Former Pirate kicker Julian Del Castillo added a field goal and three extra points.
The Pirates struggled to find their offense, totaling less than 100 yards. Despite getting into the Bulldogs’ red zone three times off turnovers, they were held scoreless on each trip.
“It’s pride,” said head coach Travis, who has beaten Matanzas four consecutive years and has now shut them out twice. “This group is not willing to bend. I always tell ‘em to hold them to a field goal attempt. An attempt. Because we can block it. And, we just stood up all night.”
On Matanzas’ last possession in the red zone, Bulldog Corey Van Dyke intercepted the ball near the end zone to take away the Pirates’ last major scoring opportunity.
While being held scoreless in his first game with Matanzas, first-year head coach Matt Forrest left the field confident of his bunch, saying, “I’m very proud of our team. We battled for 48 minutes. We made a lot of mistakes, but I can handle them, when we have the right attitude and effort. And tonight, we didn’t quit, and that’s what makes me the most proud of this team.”
Leading up to the game, players from both teams tend to take to social media to express their confidence in their teams while sharing friendly jabs back-and-forth. Having come out on top this year, Roland shared his thoughts on the smack talk.
“They did a lot of talking, and I pride myself on telling my kids, ‘I don’t want you talking on social media; talk with your pads.’ And I feel like tonight we talked with our pads. We let them talk on Twitter and in the paper about us being a regular-season team. Well, they found out what kind of regular-season team we are.”
Looking ahead to next week, FPC will play Fletcher at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Fletcher, and Matanzas will play Atlantic at 7 p.m. Friday, at Matanzas.
Stats were provided by Michael Lischio Jr. of WNZF Radio.
