- April 23, 2024
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It was a long night for the Pirates, who couldn't find the end zone against the Mainland Buccaneers in their 43-0 loss Friday, Oct. 16, at Municipal Stadium.
"(We) got beat up front all night long, and I coach those guys, so it falls on me," coach Robert Ripley said. "I tried to get greedy at the end of the first half, and it took some wind out of our sails. I apologized to our kids for that. They played their guts out, and we just didn't have enough fire power to get in a shoot out."
It was supposed to be a show of the Bucs’ offense against a Matanzas defense that had only allowed less than 10 points per contest, but Denzel Houston quickly erased that notion by marching down the field and capping off a one minute and 10-second drive with a touchdown.
The Pirates had trouble trying to find any offensive rhythm, but they seemed to stay alive on many third downs, either converting with big plays from Andre Bodison, Doug Wilson, Philip Moultrie or Mackenzy Wagner or causing Mainland's secondary to pass interference, but they were never able to capitalize on their opportunities. They did, however show signs that they're not the same team from last year, or any other Matanzas year. Kwentel Moultrie, who had a couple of big tackles picked off Denzel Houston to give Matanzas the ball just before half, down by 14, but Mainland returned the favor and scored.
"This group has been through some adverse times," Ripley added. "Now, it's a three game schedule, and you can only play who's next. So, come Monday, we will show up to work to continue to the goal of becoming the first playoff team in school history. I expect our kids to show up with great effort and enthusiasm towards our stretch run. These seniors deserve a great send off."
Matanzas will look to rebound when they play Pine Ridge Friday, Oct. 23, at Matanzas on senior night.
