- April 23, 2024
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Coach Matt Forrest gets an ice bath after leading Matanzas to its first playoff victory. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
Aaron Roberson runs for 20 yards on his first carry of the game.
Offensive lineman Aly Louis-Charles maintains a block more than 10 yards downfield.
Quarterback Ethan Dattilio threw the game-winning touchdown pass right before halftime.
Noah Cundiff tallied eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Rex Robich and Sho'Marion Gaines teamed up to bring the New Smyrna ball carrier down for a loss of yards.
Rex Robich celebrates his sack on a fourth down that gave the ball back to Matanzas.
As COVID-19 forces the world to adjust to a new normal, Matanzas first-year head coach Matt Forrest hopes he just led his football program into its new normal — a successful playoff one.
In their first home playoff game, the Matanzas Pirates (6-3) defeated the New Smyrna Barracudas 7-6 to win their first ever playoff victory on Friday, Nov. 13, at Matanzas.
After trailing 3-0 for most of the first half, senior quarterback Ethan Dattilio connected with Noah Cundiff, who took the pass another 40 yards for a 65-yard touchdown with two seconds to spare in the first half. That score and the extra kick (Stephen Usina) would be enough to hold off the Barracudas.
From that touchdown pass, Dattilio finished the game, completing 10-of-13 passes for 183 yards. Cundiff finished with eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown reception. And Aaron Roberson rushed for 109 yards (stats were provided by Michael Lischio Jr. with WNZF Radio).
The Pirates have now won four straight games, a first since 2016, but they will put their streak and playoff lives on the line against the Mainland Buccaneers on Friday, Nov. 20, at Matanzas.
