Back to basics: Matanzas keeps it simple and explodes for 43 points in win over University

Cole Walker passed for a school-record 314 yards, Jordan Schendorf scored three touchdowns and Jack Ferguson returned from a serious injury to score a touchdown and intercept a pass.

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This story was updated on Aug. 30 with corrected statistics from Matanzas and Flagler Radio.

Jordan Schendorf scored three touchdowns, Cole Walker passed for a school record 314 yards and Jack Ferguson returned from a serious boating accident to make two big plays in Matanzas High School’s 43-24 bounce-back win at home against University High on Friday, Aug. 29.

After falling to county rival Flagler Palm Coast 26-14 in the Potato Bowl the previous week, the Pirates (1-1) went back to basics, coach Matt Forrest said.

“I think we pressed too much going into the FPC game,” he said. “I think we tried to do too much instead of letting our players do what they each do best, so we went back to basic football. We know we’re talented. We wanted to right the ship and show what kind of football team we got.”


Walker, playing in his second game with the Pirates, broke Ethan Dattilo’s single-game school passing record of 303 yards which was set on Nov. 20, 2020, in a 49-28 loss to Mainland.

Walker threw three touchdown passes — two to Schendorf, including a 65-yarder to open the scoring, and a fourth-quarter strike to Andrew Bass which put the Pirates up 40-24.

The senior quarterback completed 23 of 40 passes with no interceptions.

“I think I put a lot on Cole last week,” Forrest said. “I think I gave him too much and handcuffed his ability to go out and play football. (This week) he was doing things he’s good at with concepts he’s familiar with. It shows he can really play at a high level if he’s confident and free to just go out and play. He was a completely different player. He looked a lot more comfortable. I’m very proud of him.”

Matanzas exploded on offense with 505 total yards. In addition to Walker's breakout passing game, the Pirates rushed for 191 yards. Wiley Conner ran for 107 yards and James Peterson added 75 yards on just five carries, including a 24-yard touchdown run.  


I think I put a lot on Cole (Walker) last week. I think I gave him too much and handcuffed his ability to go out and play football. (This week) he was doing things he’s good at with concepts he’s familiar with. It shows he can really play at a high level if he’s confident and free to just go out and play.
— MATT FORREST, Matanzas football coach

Schendorf caught 7 passes for 146 yards and Bass caught 10 passes for 123 yards. Schendorf also scored on a 1-yard run and then added the two-point conversion in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 20-14 lead, a lead they held the rest of the way.

“(Schendorf) played a really complete football game,” Forrest said. “In our offense, the ball finds its way around. I feel like we have four high caliber wide receivers in Jordan Schendorf, Ladarien Baker, Andrew Bass and Thomas Larywon. (This was) Jordan’s night. He made the best of his opportunities.”

So did Ferguson. In the July 1 accident in Mississippi, he suffered a deep gash on his leg requiring surgery. The junior linebacker wasn’t cleared to practice until the week of the kickoff classic. 

In the third quarter of his second game back, Ferguson recovered a Rylee Roberts' blocked punt for a touchdown. He added an interception and 15-yard return in the fourth quarter to set up Alex Procek’s 31-yard field goal. 

“What a young man,” Forrest said of Ferguson. “He is truly the heartbeat of our defense. He embodies what our football team is all about.”

Jezrahiah McCoy added a fourth-quarter interception for the Pirates. 

 

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