FPC is still alive

The Bulldogs kept their playoff hopes alive with a district win over DeLand.

By Jeff Dawsey
| 11:36 p.m. October 23, 2015

Que'Shaun Byrd hurdles a defender on his way to the end zone.

The Bulldogs celebrate a much needed district win over DeLand. Photos by Jeff Dawsey

J.C. Sheffield and Parker Allen are the FPC homecoming king and queen.

Josh Belle reels in a long bomb from Dalton Thomas.

Nelson Paul sacks DeLand's quarterback for a loss.

Dominic Green attempts to run through a couple of DeLand defenders after a big catch.

Dalton Thomas hits Que'Shaun Byrd on fourth down for a score.

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

FPC wins the “battle of the doghouse”

On homecoming night, the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs (3-5, 1-2) won the over the DeLand Bulldogs 18-10 Friday, Oct. 23, at FPC.

Que’Shaun Byrd finished FPC’s opening drive with a 49-yard sprint down the right sideline, and DeLand marched down field on its opening drive but had to settle for a 28-yard field goal. After crossing midfield on their next position, the FPC Bulldogs fumbled, and Deland recovered it and took it back 64 yards for the score and a 10-7 lead.

FPC quickly regain the lead, converting a long fourth-and-goal, when Dalton Thomas hit Byrd for an eight-yard touchdown pass, but FPC failed the extra point attempt to make it 13-10.

After getting the ball back with a Kevin Pogue interception, as the halftime clock expired, Kevin Navarrete nailed a field goal to put the Bulldogs 16-10.

Trying to tie the game, DeLand’s quarterback threw a bomb down field that was knocked into the air by Billy Dezius and eventually picked off by Ryan Dean, who has been sidelined with a concussion.

In the fourth quarter, DeLand was forced to punt out of its end zone, and Pogue blocked the punt, Ladale Batson recovered it in the end zone, but the referees ruled it a safety instead of a touchdown, which gave FPC the final 18-10 win. DeLand’s biggest chance to tie the game came late in the game, when a player intercepted Thomas in the end zone and ran it out pass midfield. After separating himself from everyone on the field, Byrd appeared from the crowd to save the touchdown by running down the ball carrier.

“I would’ve loved to record that run,” coach Tommy Moody said. “Byrd’s a really good kid, makes good grades, is loyal to the program and doesn’t talk much; he just gets it done.”

On his offensive and defensive playmakers, Moody said, “We are getting better every week, but we’re still having problems in the red zone. Last week, we didn’t finish. This week, we did finish. Offense and defense stepped up big time tonight.”

J.C. Sheffield and Parker Allen were the 2015 FPC homecoming king and queen.

The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs aren’t ready to be put down just yet. While they may not control their destiny at this point, a couple of big wins and helpful division losses from other teams could launch FPC into the playoffs, although the chances appear slim.

After dropping three of their first four games of the season, no one expected anything from the Bulldogs going forward. The only expectation was more losses. While many considered the season to be a lost cause, FPC kept going to work, week after week, and now, they have a chance to make everyone forget about their slow start.

“To be honest, I didn't really know if we were going to make it, but we all stayed together and didn't argue,” Que’Shaun Byrd said. “We just came to practice and tried to get better, and that's what we did. We're not going to focus on anyone but ourselves, fix all the mistakes, get better, and we shouldn't have a problem.”

The Bulldogs haven’t made excuses about a roster filled with underclassmen, nor have they spoken about constant injuries. After going extra rounds with Spruce Creek, who just battled Mandarin, and winning over Palatka and DeLand, the Bulldogs don’t lack confidence. And, if there was any need for extra motivation, coach Tommy Moody keeps reminding his players that this is the last stretch for his seniors, the few they have.

“I always tell them, ‘You have to play like it’s your last game,’” he said. “We stay with high intensity, so we can know what it’s worth. You can’t take this game for granted. They better lay it all out. When you can’t play anymore, that’s when you will realize that you should’ve done more. And, I always tell them to play for their seniors because they’re going to be seniors one day.”

It all comes down to one game. Can the underdogs slow down the Mustangs?