- December 4, 2025
Matanzas running back Wiley Conner (34) tries to push through a host of Jackson defenders. Photo by Hannah Hodge. Conner rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas linebacker Nick Yacono tackles Jackson's Jeremiah Hampton (22). Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas receiver Jordan Schendorf caught five passes for 69 yards. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas defensive back Jaden Dormevil intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards to set up a second-quarter touchdown by the Pirates. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas lineman Anthony Williams blocks Jackson defensive end Amir Little (10). Photo by Hannah Hodge
Ladarian Baker (3). Photo by Hannah Hodge
Chase Johnson (19). Photo by Hannah Hodge
Matanzas football coach Matt Forrest has praised his team’s efficiency during its three-game winning streak.
In its 36-14 victory against Jackson High School in Jacksonville on Friday, Sept. 12, Matanzas converted nine of 11 third downs and scored touchdowns in all four trips to the red zone — the picture of efficiency.
On defense, the Pirates held Jackson to a 5-for-13 third-down conversion rate, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble, to win the turnover margin 3-1, and produced two quarterback sacks and four tackles for loss.
Matanzas quarterback Cole Walker completed 21 of 29 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns, and he also ran for a touchdown. It was the senior’s third straight game with over 200 yards passing. Andrew Bass caught eight passes for 96 yards including a 25-yard touchdown reception. And Jordan Schendorf had five catches for 69 yards and also tossed a 2-point conversion pass to Thomas Larywon.
The Pirates (3-1) also ran for more than 100 yards with Wiley Conner rushing for 85 yards with two touchdowns and also catching a touchdown pass.
Rilee Roberts had both sacks. Jaden Dormevil returned a second-quarter interception 45 yards to the Tigers’ 16-yard line to set up Conner’s 9-yard touchdown run which put Matanzas up 21-6. Ladarien Baker intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter that also led to a Pirates touchdown.
“We’re solid offensively, defensively and on special teams,” Forrest said. “We’re able to execute and be efficient in all phases of the game.”
Forrest said he put too much on his players’ shoulders in the season-opener against Flagler Palm Coast. Since then, they have focused on what they do best, he said.
The Pirates have averaged just under 40 points per game since the 26-14 loss to the Bulldogs.
“I think the FPC game was the exception, not the rule,” Forrest said. “We’re a much better team than we showed. That was me putting too much pressure on them, trying to do too many things.”
The guys understand we’ll do whatever it takes to win the football game.
— MATT FORREST, Matanzas football coach
Against Jackson, the Pirates slowed the game down after Tigers quarterback Jamarian Dixon scored his second touchdown with five seconds left in the first half. Dixon's 26-yard scramble pulled Jackson (2-2) to within 21-12. In the second half, Matanzas outscored Jackson 15-2, holding the Tigers to a fourth-quarter safety.
“They had a really athletic quarterback. He was able to break big plays at any moment,” Forrest said. “Once we got the lead to two possessions we tried to take the air out of the ball and give our defense a break, because they were chasing that guy all night. By slowing down the game on offense, we were able to get the defense back to where it needed to be, and we were able to get some turnovers and stops and give the offense a short field.
“The guys understand we’ll do whatever it takes to win the football game,” Forrest said.
The Pirates are back home on Friday, Sept. 19, against Seabreeze (1-2). The Sandcrabs struggled in the second half of a 47-7 loss to Rockledge last week. After Seabreeze took a 7-6 halftime lead, the Raiders scored touchdowns on six straight second-half possessions.
