- April 20, 2024
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Flagler Palm Coast prepares for its bout Friday against undefeated Fleming Island for the district championship.
The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs have 48 minutes Friday, Nov. 5, to determine their post-season destiny.
They are fighting for the chance to be the 2010 5A-District 2 champions and the opportunity to bring the first round of playoffs back to their home field.
It won’t be an easy fi ght. FPC (4-5) is the obvious underdog to 9-0 Fleming Island. “Fortunately, we have to play the game to decide the outcome,” coach Caesar Campana said.
Fleming Island is ranked 20th in the state, scoring 404 points and allowing 73, according to Maxpreps.com. At the center is quarterback Kade Bell, son of former Gators quarterback and current Jacksonville University football coach Kerwin Bell.
In his last game against Middleburg, Kade Bell threw two touchdowns, ran for another and accounted for 309 of Fleming Island’s 334 total yards.
“I have watched No. 7 in three games and he is one of the best QBs we have seen this year with his athletic ability,” Campana said. “He is as much of a run threat as a passer. Our defense is working on keeping him behind the line of scrimmage and reducing the width of the rush lanes so he cannot escape easily.”
Although the defense will have to change it up a bit to adjust to Fleming Island’s many formations, FPC senior defensive lineman Adam Mitchell said it’s always the same objective: disrupt and make plays.
Campana said his players are learning from last week’s loss against NSB. “I think our players learned that you cannot practice poorly and expect to win the game against such a talented team as NSBHS,” Campana said.
Another lesson learned, Campana said, was the importance of being mentally prepared on game day and playing with enthusiasm.
“Our kids, especially our offense, didn’t play with much energy for a lot of the game,” he added.
The biggest problem FPC had in the New Smyrna Beach game was giving up big plays and not moving the ball enough to get NSB’s playmakers off the field, Campana said. This week, the Bulldogs are adjusting their blocking scheme in preparation to handle the strong defensive front that Fleming Island brings.
“Winning will take care of itself when you are prepared and work hard in the game,” Campana said
