To maintain team's swagger, get Bowens the ball

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

There’s no question about it: The Flagler Palm Coast football team has its swagger back.

In last week’s 21-6 District 1-8A win over Spruce Creek, the Bulldogs didn’t even really need a quarterback.

Running backs Jimmie Robinson and Devonti Emanuel carried the team. Emanuel toted the ball 10 times for 109 yards and one touchdown. Robinson had 14 carries for 105 yards and one TD.

Through six games, Robinson is averaging 7.1 yards per carry and Emanuel is averaging 6.3.

Coach Caesar Campana’s team is using hard-hitting defense and a vicious running game to grind games out and control the time of possession game.

So far, it’s worked. FPC is 4-2 (2-0 in District 1-8). The goal is to get back to playoff football.

But at some point, a passing game will need to come alive. Junior quarterback Colton Boyd has struggled through the first half. He has 33-for-79 (41.7% completion) for 391 yards with three TDs and six picks.

Last week, Campana elected to go with freshman Dalton Thomas. Thomas went 2-for-6 for 16 yards against Spruce Creek.

Earlier this week, Campana acknowledged the game plan against Spruce Creek was to minimize the number of pass attempts.

“We played a much more conservative game,” he said. “We only snapped the ball 35 times on offense. Things worked well because our offensive line is getting good, and we have two outstanding running backs.”

Campana is right. The running game was practically unstoppable last week — and most weeks. But what happens when a defense brings eight defenders up to the line of scrimmage? Or when Robinson and Emanuel have a tough game? Or the running game just isn’t working?

That’s when the FPC quarterbacks will need to feed the ball to senior tight end Dustin Bowens.

This season, Bowens, who is a Division I prospect, has seven catches for 59 yards and one TD.

At 6 feet, 4 inches, 235 pounds, Bowens towers over most linebackers or defensive backs he’d be matched up against.

He’s a matchup nightmare, and he needs the ball.

“Dustin Bowens has been in on 95% of our snaps on offense,” Campana said. “We throw the ball to who we think is going to be open.”

Of course, having wide receiver Willie Gardner on the outside is also a great option. Gardner, who is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches, has 17 catches for 254 yards and one TD.

For Campana, though, it’s about getting back to the state playoffs.

“We feel like we have a chance to make a statement in this year’s playoffs,” Campana said. “We try to improve on one thing for every practice, both as a team and as individuals.”