- April 18, 2024
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Devin Mathews goes up and catches the ball for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the Pirates' 30-0 win over Seabreeze. Photo by Bob Rollins
My overall season record: 12-1
Matanzas (3-0) at Nease: Matanzas wins 21-10. The Pirates still have much to improve in order to become elite, but they have enough on both sides of the ball to win games. Philip Moultrie and the offense has become unpredictable, and everyone has trouble moving the ball against the Matanzas defense. While Nease will give the Pirates a challenge they have yet to see this season, Matanzas should still be able to handle the Panthers.
Seabreeze (0-3) at Palatka: Palatka wins 20-7. The Sandcrabs have scored a total of seven offensive points in three games. They’re just not that good on offense, and it affects their defense, which has to play the majority of the game on the field.
If the Sandcrabs can find a way to score two touchdowns by moving the ball, their defense will rest enough to make this a competitive game.
Mainland (4-0) vs. Dr. Phillips: Mainland wins 43-20. What separates the Bucs from most teams is their ability to score on every drive. Most teams play a field position game. Not Mainland. The Bucs simply play “Who can score the most points the fastest?”
Dr. Phillips may give the Mainland the biggest challenge up to this point, but the Bucs will do what they do best: run away in the end. Mainland has too many offensive and defensive weapons.
Flagler Palm Coast (0-3) vs. New Smyrna Beach: New Smyrna wins 22-20. The Bulldogs and Barracudas have similar styles and similar weaknesses. When both teams drop back to pass, turnovers tend to occur. Both have good defenses and a running game, but the game will go down to whomever makes the least amount of offensive mistakes – and if the Barracudas can stop Que’Shaun Byrd.
Father Lopez (1-2) at John Carroll Catholic: John Carroll wins 31-20. Coming off an impressive win over rival Warner Christian, the Green Wave wants to continue its winning ways.
Last season, Spencer threw four interceptions, and Lopez was demolished 52-14 for John Carroll’s homecoming game. While I don’t believe the game will go in that direction, the Rams have enough offensive talent to move on Lopez’s defense, and their defense is a little better than Warner’s.
