- October 14, 2026
When Matanzas hosts northern neighbor Menendez on Friday, Sept. 18, the Pirates may look quite a bit different from the last time they played at home.
It has been five weeks since Matanzas played a home game. The Pirates beat Seabreeze 17-14 in a preseason kickoff classic on Aug. 14. Since then they’ve lost three games to teams with a combined 11-1 record and had their scheduled home opener on Sept. 4 postponed after persistent lightning delays.
Weather permitting, they will now officially play their home opener against the Falcons. Let’s catch up with what’s changed since they last played at the Ship.
Junior Cole Hardy, their starting quarterback, has quit football to focus on grades and college, Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said.
“He said he appreciates everything the program has done for him, but he just feels like it’s time turn the page in this chapter of his book, ” Forrest said.
Freshman Devin Davis is the new starter. But he tweaked his knee in the Pirates’ 42-13 loss at Ocala Forest last week and will be evaluated this week. Junior Michael McDonough, who joined the team in the summer after transferring from Seabreeze, stepped in and completed all five of his pass attempts including a touchdown pass to sophomore Lukas De Freitas.
“When his number was called, he was able to step up to the plate and did a good job of it,” Forrest said of McDonough.
De Freitas has earned a starting wide receiver spot. Freshman Christian Perkins will play more at slot receiver and as a pass catching tight end, Forrest said. Sophomore Mari Arneaud will get some more playing time as a receiver. And senior defensive lineman Zain Dailey has been moved to the offensive line due to injuries and emergencies, Forrest said.
“His first start was at right guard (against Forest), and he did as good as he could with short notice,” Forrest said. “So we're going to continue to work with him and get him better.”
Forrest said the Pirates are still searching for the right combinations.
“If it's youth, it's youth. If it's older kids, it’s older kids,” he said. But I thought we played with a little bit different intensity (against Forest). I think the last two weeks, our guys have gained their confidence back. I've seen that in practice. And Friday night I saw them play with some confidence. Now, did it go our way? No, but we were in that game for a long time.”
The McCoy brothers each had big plays at Forest, which improved to 4-0. Junior Jayden McCoy returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. And senior Jez McCoy returned an interception 65 yards. Chase Johnson recovered a fumble.
Matanzas, trailing 21-0 at the half, scored all of its points after halftime but did not get the ball on offense in the second half until about four minutes left in the game. The Pirates turned the ball over on consecutive kickoff returns and Jayden McCoy returned the Wildcats’ next kickoff for a touchdown.
Forrest was pleased with the Pirates’ defense, but the offense and special teams gave the Wildcats short fields to work with. Davis and McDonough were sacked six times.
“It comes down to offensively just finding some rhythm,” Forrest said. “It was 8-0 after the first quarter, 14-0 with less than a minute left in the first half, and we have a turnover inside our own 15, an unfortunate fumble.”
Menendez (1-2) comes into Friday’s game with memories of last year’s 14-0 loss to Matanzas. It was the Falcons’ first loss to the Pirates since Nov. 6, 2020 in the annual series, but six of the last seven meetings between the two teams have been decided by two or fewer touchdowns.
“When us and Pedro (Menedez) play, it’s always competitive,” Forrest said. “The schools are separated by 12 miles (on I-95 exits). It’s almost as close to us as Flagler Palm Coast. So, it’s always competitive, always a fun game.”
While a bus trip between the two schools is short, the Pirates are happy to finally play a game again at home. After three straight games on the road, Matanzas will play their next four at the Ship.
“I am excited to be home,” Forrest said. “I'm excited to not have to have a pregame meal, get on a bus, drive, get off, be in an unfamiliar setting. I am excited to just be home and have that familiar normal routine. I am excited about that.”
