- April 24, 2024
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Just three weeks ago, the Matanzas Pirates were looking for an identity.
Coming off three consecutive losses — two of which were district games — the Pirates were basically all but out of postseason contention.
But after Friday’s 14-7 district win over Creekside, the Pirates are back in the mix.
Matanzas (3-4, 1-2 District 4-5A) was able to use a stifling defense and do just enough on offense en route to a Homecoming win.
“We kind of had a feeling it could turn out it’d be (a low-scoring game),” Matanzas coach Keith Lagocki said. “We thought we’d do more offensively than we did, but luckily, we were able to do just enough. It was a great all-around team win — all phases did well.”
The Pirates scored on their opening drive, taking a 7-0 lead with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter.
Then the defense went to work. The Pirates were able to win the field position battle and force Creekside (3-4, 2-1 District 4-5A) to attempt long field goals.
Lagocki said the coaching staff noticed during pregame warm-ups that the Creekside kicker was struggling kicking the ball. It worked, as Creekside missed two field goals in the second quarter.
With Matanzas still leading 7-0, the Pirates punched the ball in from the Creekside 5-yard line just 50 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Creekside wasn’t done, though. The Knights scored with 5:32 to go in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 14-7.
But with about two minutes to go in the game and Creekside driving, Matanzas senior defensive back Damon Hayden sealed with win with an interception.
“It was one of the biggest plays of the game for sure,” Lagocki said of the interception. “Hayden and the (Creekside receiver) both had their hands on the ball and Damon took it away from him. He just (out-muscled) the ball from the receiver.”
It was Hayden’s fourth interception of the season.
Although Creekside still had all three timeouts, the Pirates were able to pick up a few first downs and run the clock out.
“When we got that second TD to go up 14-0, that really put them on their heels,” Lagocki said. “They were really pressing all night. Our defense played out of their minds.”
Quarterback Jeremiah Wilson went 4-for-7 for 22 yards with one TD and one INT. Stefan Tucker led the rushing attack with 17 carries for 76 yards and one TD. Brandon Fagan had seven carries for 43 yards.
With the win, Matanzas needs to win out to secure its first playoff berth in school history.
“We win out, we go to the playoffs, so we control our own destiny, and our kids are excited because they have something to play for,” Lagocki said.”Things are starting to come together.”
Matanzas will take its two-game winning streak on the road when they travel to play Nease 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26,
“We did what we wanted to do. We wanted to put ourselves back in the mix for getting in the playoffs. ... Those early season battles have readied us for these late-season games that we’ve been able to win these last two weeks.”
