- May 8, 2024
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They hated that everyone considered their first crosstown win a fluke. That talk is officially over, now that the Matanzas Pirates (1-0) beat the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs (0-1) 14-8 on Friday, August 26, at Matanzas to win the county championship for a second consecutive season.
In his celebration speech to his team, head coach Robert Ripley began, saying, “I told you it would be a dog fight but a pirate celebration.”
“We delivered tonight,” Ripley said. “We put on a show for our hometown fans. That’s what we wanted to do. It’s almost unrecognizable from the place I arrived to – from the weight room, to the decals, to the room screen, to the press box, to the flags, to our helmets, to our process, to our practices, to our staff. It’s been a process, and I’m so thankful these kids didn’t quit and didn’t get discouraged.”
The Pirates controlled the game from beginning until the last five minutes. After both teams went scoreless in the first quarter, Matanzas exploded on offense and defense.
Mackenzy Wagner connected with Devin Mathews to put the Pirates at FPC’s two-yard line, and Philip Moultrie finished the drive with a touchdown run. The extra point put Matanzas up 7-0.
After forcing a punt, Moultrie broke down the sideline for a 55-yard run before being brought down at the 5-yard line. Wagner kept the ball and scored on the next play. Hannah Hile kicked the extra point to put the Pirates up 14-0 at halftime.
The Bulldogs used a downed punt to pick up momentum, when they forced a safety to get two points and the ball back. But, when they attempted a red zone pass, Cory Steward picked off Thomas to end the drive.
In the fourth quarter, after both teams couldn’t move the ball, FPC capitalized off of three penalties that put the Bulldogs near the Pirates’ 30-yard line with less than six minutes to play. After Anfernee Brown took a reception to the one-yard line, Que’Shaun Byrd finished the drive, but the extra point was missed.
The Bulldogs were given a final shot to score at the end of the game but were unable to record a first down.
“I kind of knew we were going to win; we practiced really well this week,” Moultrie said. “But, those boys definitely gave us a dog fight. It was a really good game.”
“This was the stamp for our win last year,” Wagner said. “This proved it wasn’t a fluke. We have the better program, we have the better heart, and it shows. Now, we gotta keep playing hard, like we got nothing to lose. Every game has to be an FPC game from here on out.”
One of the first things Ripley did when he got to Matanzas was put up a sign that read: “Those who stay will be champions.” Now they’re two-time county champs, and they won the conference title last year. Ripley says his Pirates are confident with the rest of their schedule and hopes to achieve a playoff spot this season.
“These kids are hungry to check that last box,” he said.
GAME STATS
Wagner finished with five pass completions for 136 yards and 21 rushing yards with a touchdown. Moultrie rushed for 105 yards and a score on 16 carries. Mathews had three receptions for 62 yards. Anthony Buchanan, Steward and Drew Peterson had interceptions. Nik Kubiet recorded a sack.
FPC’s Anfernee Brown had nine receptions for 134 yards. Byrd rushed for 48 yards and a score; he also had 28 receiving yards.
These stats were provided by Michael Lischio
