Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs ground Hawks in Five Star Conference flag football tournament

Tori Spann runs for a touchdown and throws for the extra point in FPC's 7-6 victory to help vault the Bulldogs into the tournament semifinals.

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Flagler Palm Coast’s flag football players knew their game against Spruce Creek on March 30 would come down to defense.

The Bulldogs got the job done, keeping the Hawks out of the end zone when it mattered in a 7-6 home victory in the first round of the Five Star Conference flag football tournament. FPC (7-2) advanced to the semifinals against New Smyrna Beach on March 31. The championship, third-place and fifth-place games are scheduled for April 2.

“Their offense is very disciplined,” FPC senior Nereyda Campos said of the Hawks. “We just knew from the start that we had to come out strong and we had to protect the (fly routes) and (stop routes), and we executed very well.”

The Bulldogs took the lead with 1:52 left in the second quarter on Tori Spann’s 3-yard touchdown run. Spann then connected with Stephanie Turner on an extra-point pass which turned out to be the difference in the game.

“We stopped them in the red zone at least four times, and it’s just a testament to the girls,” FPC coach John King said. “It doesn't matter what happens, they're going to keep fighting.”

Spruce Creek scored in the third quarter on quarterback Khloe Jackson’s touchdown pass to Nina Macy, but the Bulldogs kept Hawks receiver Mateja Santo Domingo out of the end zone on the extra point attempt.

Creek moved to within 7 yards of a score in the waning moments of the second quarter and then moved to within 10 yards of a score with 1:09 left in the game before turning the ball over on downs.

FPC won its fourth game in a row but was playing for the first time in 18 days because of a rainout following spring break.

“You could tell we were a little rusty, but the girls showed up and got it done,” King said.

The win was the Bulldogs’ second against the Hawks this season. FPC also defeated Creek 6-0 in overtime in the season opener on Feb. 18. Spann scored the Bulldogs’ only touchdown in that game too.

“Spruce Creek is a great program, and they have been for a long time,” King said. “They're well respected in the area. And we've had to battle them twice now. I fully expect to play them at least one more time and possibly even in the regional playoffs, because that's a really good team.”

Campos, who plays quarterback, running back and defensive back for the Bulldogs, said her team has good chemistry. Spann, Tuner and Campos first developed that chemistry with the Bulldogs’ basketball team, Campos said.

“We all work together well from basketball to flag football,” she said.

 

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