- December 5, 2025
Matanzas' Mary Pickett throws a pass against the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas coach Blake Hillman talks with quarterback Mary Pickett during the Pirates' game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas coach Blake Hillman gathers with his team during halftime. Photo by Ray Boone
Pirates coach Blake Hillman looks on during the Pirates' game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Several Pirates leap to tip a pass against the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
Pirates coach Blake Hillman looks on during the Pirates' game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas' Megan Torres leaps for a catch against the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
Matanzas’ flag football team was down just a touchdown in the final minute of the first half in their game against Seabreeze on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 26. Then the Sandcrabs scored another touchdown — a tough, two-handed grab on a play that was otherwise well-defended by the Pirates.
The Pirates fell behind 13-0, and their resolve quickly deteriorated from there.
Missed flag pulls, blown defensive assignments, miscommunications on offense.
And when things started to go downhill rapidly — and they did in the Pirates’ 35-0 home loss to the Sandcrabs — some Pirates had their heads down, some were visibly frustrated and some pointed fingers at one another.
Matanzas head coach Blake Hillman used it as a teaching moment.
Hillman, who was previously an assistant coach for two years prior to taking over the reigns of the program this season, wants his team to never lie down — no matter the score.
“We don’t want to quit,” he said. “We want to play for four quarters and not give up.”
The Pirates are 1-1 on the season after their loss to the Sandcrabs. They smoked Warner Christian 26-0 in their season opener on March 5 at Matanzas High School.
“We hurt ourselves some tonight,” Hillman said. “We’re going to have to bounce back to get in the win column again.”
