- April 23, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs (1-2) fail to the Mainland Buccaneers 35-10 Friday, Sept. 11, at FPC.
Don't let the score fool you: the Bucs were in a kind of dog fight they didn't seem prepared for. Since star quarterback Denzel Houston took the realm last season, no one has shut him down like FPC did tonight for the majority of the first half, but mistakes and inexperience allowed an experienced powerhouse to feast in the last 28 minutes of the game.
"Around here, we're going to play hard regardless," coach Tommy Moody said. "Offensively, we had no problems moving the ball, but still have to put it in there at the right time."
The Bulldogs invaded Mainland's territory on a number of occasions but were unable to capitalize on big gains. In one situation, a field goal was blocked. Thomas was sacked for a loss on a fourth-and-short on another, but the FPC never stopped fighting. Down just 22-0 in the third quarter, which many teams can't usually say, against Mainland, Dalton Thomas found Johnson Dore for a 38-yard touchdown pass to pull withing two possessions.
After holding the Bucs to a punt, FPC marched back into Mainland territory, only to kick a field goal with eight minutes left in the game, still down by two possessions. After allowing a 43-yard scramble for a touchdown, FPC's chances of shocking the Bucs were all but over.
"We're young, and it shows when you play against really good teams," Moody said. "But, our effort was there; we just have to fix the miscues, and that's a part of the growing up. A lot of people asked me why I scheduled to play against them, but I feel that, if we play really good teams, and our babies can see how a good team plays, they'll grow up playing hard like that. Out of the 22 starters, we have five seniors. so they have to go through it, but it'll come."
The Bulldogs have a bye this upcoming week, and they will travel for their next four games.
