- June 16, 2025
Flagler Palm Coast had to sit out their transfer players who played for another school last season, and that might have contributed to their lopsided loss at Orlando Bishop Moore in the spring game on May 23.
But first-year coach Patrick Turner said he’s not worried about the score against the Hornets, a team that advanced to the Class 3A regional finals last season. Bishop Moore outscored FPC 49-7 in the first half when the varsity players were in the game.
FPC quarterback La’Darius Simmons, who played for Halifax Academy last season, was one of the players who was ineligible due to a Florida High School Athletic Association rule that links fall and spring football together as one season. A player who plays football for one school in the fall can’t play for another until after that school year.
Simmons is the leading candidate to be the Bulldogs’ starter this fall.
“La’Darius has been running with the first group,” Turner said. “It looks like he has a little bit better understanding.”
Jason Ebding got the start against Bishop Moore. It was his first experience in a varsity game.
Ebding played the first half. He turned the ball over three times in the first quarter which led to three Bishop Moore touchdowns. But he settled down in the second quarter and threw a touchdown pass to Logan Jacobelli, Turner said.
Running back Ehimen Ajede ran for over 100 yards in the first half.
“He had some big runs,” Turner said. “Our three turnovers didn’t help the defense out, and they came after explosive plays. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. But for our lack of experience on both sides of football, I was really impressed and super proud of the effort. Everything we didn’t do is fixable. I can’t wait to get them in the classroom and watch the film.”
