- April 25, 2024
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Matanzas coach Don Mathews. File photo
A Matanzas player gets tackled by the Sandcrabs. Photo courtesy of Michelle Motto
After trailing for 3 1/2 quarters to Seabreeze, the Pirates were able to score 16 points in a 4-minute period in the fourth quarter to pull ahead against the Sandcrabs for their first win of the season and the first win under first-year head coach Don Mathews.
The Sandcrabs scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter. Sandcrabs quarterback Chase Verble's pass was tipped by a Matanzas defensive back into the hands of Sandcrabs receiver Orion Mountain for a 31-yard touchdown. Pirates senior Branden Gilyard returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, but the Sandcrabs blocked the extra point attempt.
Seabreeze led 7-6 entering the halfway mark in the final quarter, but 16 points, including a 46-yard touchdown run from Gilyard, giving the Pirates (1-2) a 22-7 victory on the night of Friday, Sept. 14, at Daytona Stadium.
Although he was happy to secure his first high school win as a head coach, Mathews said his team's continued mistakes from his young team still bothered him heavily.
"We're constantly out there just beating ourselves," he said. "The perfectionist that I am and the way I've coached the defense here for years, I'm trying to get that type of work ethic and attention to detail in the offense. It's been a slow process."
He added: "They may be the best sophomore in the county, but they're nothing compared to the seniors they're going against. So they have to use their technique and do their job. It's been kind of tough for them to realize that."
