- April 18, 2024
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Mandarin could almost taste victory as its special teams lined up for a field goal in the first overtime period against Flagler Palm Coast. A simple field goal was all that stood between a victory for Mandarin and the first loss of the season for the Bulldogs.
But not if FPC's Dennis Shorter had anything to say about it.
The Bulldogs' 5-foot-9 cornerback slid past Mandarin's offensive line and blocked the kick, sending the game into an extra overtime period.
Thanks to Shorter's game-saving block and a score in the second overtime, the Bulldogs (9-0) pulled off a remarkable comeback in their final game of the regular season, defeating Mandarin 24-17 on the night of Friday, Oct. 27, at Sal Campanella Memorial Field. The double overtime win ensured the first undefeated season in school history.
After leading 10-9 after three quarters, the Bulldogs found themselves trailing by a touchdown with 9:41 to go in the game before coming back to tie the game at 17, forcing the extra period.
Before Shorter's blocked kick, FPC kicker Samuel Petrin missed a 24-yard field goal that put the Bulldogs' undefeated season in serious jeopardy.
After the upcoming bye week, the Bulldogs will start postseason play on Nov. 10 at FPC High School. The opponent has yet to be decided.
With a playoff berth on the line, Matanzas' battle with Deltona did not start as planned.
The Wolves got on the board first after a poor snap went over the head of Pirates quarterback Ryan Thomas and out the back of the end zone for a safety, and near the end of the first quarter, Wolves quarterback Nick Cristiano connected on a 72-yard pass to receiver Jalen Monroe to give Deltona an 8-0 lead.
However, thanks to a dominant second quarter, Matanzas (6-2, 4-1) stormed back to defeat the Wolves 17-15 in an intense district battle on the night of Friday, Oct. 27, at Deltona High School. The Pirates scored all of their points in the second period.
Senior receiver and Navy commit Devin Mathews had one of his most explosive outings of the season, totaling 114 yards and a touchdown through the air, including a 48-yard score in the second quarter. In addition, defensive end Jarrett Patton totaled four sacks for Matanzas.
The Pirates led by as much as nine, but Deltona quickly responded with a score in the third quarter. And down just two points midway through the fourth quarter, the Wolves found themselves near the red zone with a chance to retake the lead. But a jump ball between Monroe and Matanzas cornerback Nehemiah Knight proved fatal to the Wolves' chances, as Knight came down with the game-sealing interception.
Matanzas moves on to face Father Lopez at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Father Lopez High School in the final game of the regular season.
