- October 5, 2026
After an hour-and-15-minute lightning delay on Sept. 4, Matanzas High’s home football opener against Deltona was postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1.
The lightning detector kept resetting as lightning strikes continued to move into the area.
“I know our guys were a little disappointed, but it becomes a player safety thing,” Matanzas football coach Matt Forrest said. “We didn’t want to kick off after 9 p.m., and it just kept resetting and resetting.”
The two teams happened to have the same bye week, and they immediately agreed to reschedule. The game was originally rescheduled for Oct. 2, but was later moved to Thursday of that week.
“It worked out perfect,” Forrest said.
The game was supposed to be the Pirates’ home opener. Instead, they will play their first home game on Sept. 18 against Menendez. They are back on the road on Friday, Sept. 11, for their first district game of the year against Ocala Forest.
The Pirates (0-2) were disappointed to not get the Sept. 4 game in against the Wolves (2-0).
“Our guys were excited to play, and so was Deltona,” Forrest said. “It was a big game for both of us coming in here. One was looking to extend their win streak, one was trying to get on the board for a win. But you can't control the weather, so we're going to make the best of it.”
Forrest said the Pirates were eager to play a game after two disappointing performances.
“I think our guys were excited to show who we are, because I don't really think the first two games were a clear picture of that,” he said. “I think we were still kind of going through the growing pains of some new guys and guys in some new spots and some new schemes. I think they’re excited to show that this is what we’ve been working towards.”
One new guy, freshman quarterback Devin Davis, was scheduled to make his first start against Deltona.
Ocala Forest comes into the District 3-5A game against Matanzas with a 3-0 record. The Wildcats defeated Ocala Trinity Catholic 41-0 on Sept. 4.
“The only way to guarantee a playoff spot is win your district,” Forrest said. “So we got to come out ready to play, and on the road again.”
The Pirates won’t play another district game until Oct. 9 at home against Gainesville Buchholz. That will be the first of three consecutive district contests with Oakleaf on the road Oct. 16 and West Port at home Oct. 23.
The Father Lopez game at Atlantic was also postponed because of lightning on Sept. 4. That game has been rescheduled for Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
