- December 4, 2025
DeLand High, Florida’s overall sixth-ranked football team, performed “as advertised,” Flagler Palm Coast coach Patrick Turner said.
The host Bulldogs rushed for 369 yards and scored seven touchdowns on the ground in a 49-21 victory over the FPC Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 10.
But DeLand (7-0) did not shut down the visitors. FPC (2-5) amassed 281 yards of offense, including 195 yards rushing. The FPC Bulldogs also accumulated more first downs than DeLand (23-20) and led the hosts in time of possession, 27:48 to 19:42.
FPC did not turn the ball over, but the visiting Bulldogs dropped three potential touchdown passes in the first half, Turner said. They also had Ehimen Ajede’s kickoff return for a touchdown called back in the second quarter because of a penalty for a blindside block. FPC wound up attempting a field goal on the posession, but Garrett Tucker’s 36-yarder was blocked.
“It gets back to our lack of experience,” Turner said. “In the first half, our defense played lights out football. We knew we had to play complementary football. The defense did its job in the first half. In the second half, I think the defense was just got worn down.”
DeLand led 21-0 at halftime. FPC got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter with Ajede scoring on a 1-yard run to finish off a 75-yard drive. In the fourth quarter, quarterback La’Darius Simmons ran in a 1-yard touchdown and threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Mathias Parker.
Parker also had five tackles, including a tackle for a loss. Simmons rushed for 105 yards and passed for 86 yards.
DeLand’s Marceles Carey, LaDamion Bletcher and Taihj Moore all rushed for two touchdowns. Tyjzirr Nicholson also ran for a touchdown.
They are as advertised,” Turner said. “They’re really good offensively and defensively. I’m really happy with the way our kids played and the effort we gave.
— PATRICK TURNER, FPC football coach
“They are as advertised,” Turner said. “They’re really good offensively and defensively. I’m really happy with the way our kids played and the effort we gave.”
FPC will play another undefeated team in its homecoming game this week as Yulee (7-0) will visit Sal Campanella Memorial Stadium.
“They’re a really disciplined, hard-nosed team, like DeLand,” Turner said. “They have three shutouts, and it’s hard to shut anybody out. We’re going to give them all the respect they deserve. Our kids will be motivated, because it’s Homecoming. We’ll be prepared.”
