Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs at Matanzas Pirates

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Pirate Field, Palm Coast (3535 Old Kings Rd N.)

TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Flagler Palm Coast – Tommy Moody (2nd, 4-6); Matanzas – Rob Ripley (3rd, 10-9)

About the matchup: The only two high schools in Flagler County open the season in one of Central Florida’s growing rivalries.

Matanzas beat FPC for the first time ever last season and that victory propelled the Pirates to an 8-2 record, their best mark in program history. A loss to Deltona in the final week of district play last year kept them from making the playoffs for the first time. Ripley is making no secret of the fact that the goal is to reach the postseason this year. Matanzas returns 13 starters (6 offense, 7 defense) and projects to have one of the top defensive lines in the area. That unit includes 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior Nick Kubiet, who is generating interest from Southern Miss, Cornell and Davidson. Quarterback Mackenzy Wagner accounted for 10 total touchdowns last season and will have some talented but inexperienced youngsters at his disposal.

Flagler Palm Coast finished 4-6 last season with four of their losses coming by a touchdown or less. The Bulldogs were one of the area’s youngest teams last year and return 17 starters. Running back Que’shaun Byrd racked up 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, second most in Volusia and Flagler counties. Senior safety Kevin Pogue is a four year starter and a stalwart in the Bulldogs secondary. The rest of the defense is littered with young players including sophomores Seamus Hackett and Tyler Irigoyen (defensive end) and linebacker Ty-Lee Austin and Tallin Coates. FPC beat perennial playoff team Gainesville 21-17 in their kickoff classic last week.

Three and out:

1. Matanzas coach Rob Ripley is a 1998 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast and served as an assistant coach there for 8 seasons.  

2. FPC is 6-1 vs. Matanzas and the margin of victory in those games is 34 points.

3. FPC coach Tommy Moody played offensive line at Florida from 1999-2001 and sang in the church choir while attending Taylor High in rural Volusia County.