- April 23, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 30-19, in a district showdown to see who would advance to the playoffs, on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Jacksonville.
After an early touchdown by Mandarin’s Aundre Kearney to put the Mustangs up 6-0, FPC got on the board with a Chase Hydrick 26-yard field goal. Que’Shaun Byrd, then, scored the first of four touchdown runs from four yards out to put the Bulldogs up 9-6 at halftime.
Byrd scored on a 20-yard run in the third quarter and a 5- and a 51-yard run in the fourth.
“I just had to go out there and ball,” Byrd said. “This was a do or die game, so we had to get our minds right.”
Marcel Williams and Jimmie Robinson also made huge contributions to the Bulldogs’ win. Williams finished with over 100 yards on offense, an interception and a fumble recovery. Robinson
intercepted a pass and also blocked an extra point.
“Those guys (Williams, Byrd and Robinson) are three of the four on our 4X100 track relay team that made it to states last year,” coach Caesar Campana said. “Not only can they fly, but they are great athletes that work hard in the weight room, running, everything.
The Bulldog defense forced five Mandarin turnovers on the night. Other than Williams and Robinson’s interceptions, Dominic Green added another pick, along with a fumble recovery and a sack, and Rykel Alexander sacked the quarterback three times. The defense stripped Kearney twice and recovered both fumbles.
“I was so proud of the defense tonight,” Campana added. “They’re small, but they will knock you down.”
The Bulldogs will play their last regular season game against Spruce Creek on Nov. 7, at the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex.
