FPC, Matanzas renew annual Potato Bowl rivalry | High school football primer
Flagler County's football showdown between Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas has blossomed into one of the most passionate rivalries throughout Florida.
Huge crowds — occasionally topping 5,000 fans — pack the stands, regardless of what each team's record looks like. Scheduled in mid-September this time around, a few weeks before the Bulldogs and Pirates begin their pushes for the playoffs, there's plenty at stake beyond civic pride.
Welcome to the Potato Bowl.
Matanzas (2-0) looks to stay undefeated as it welcomes in Flagler Palm Coast (1-1), fresh off a strong showing against Bishop Moore and the first victory in Daniel Fish's tenure as head coach. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Last year's meeting: Potato Bowl? More like Mud Bowl as FPC beats Matanzas in rivalry game
"It's a game the community rallies around every year, and it's not just our sport," Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said. "We're the only two schools in the county, and we battle it out on the field, in the gym and on the court.
"We want both of our programs to be successful. They're in (FHSAA Class) 4S, and we're in 3S. I'd love for us to both to go on after this week, win district championships and represent Palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler County in the playoffs."
FPC has claimed victory in 12 of the 14 all-time head-to-head meetings and sports a six-game winning streak in the series. However, Matanzas sits No. 5 in the Volusia-Flagler high school football power rankings, a position it has held for four straight weeks, while the Bulldogs are among the group on the outside looking in.
"There's been a lot of talk coming from that side of town, and they have got a lot of praise, deservedly so," Fish said. "But we're excited to line it up and put those words to the test."
3 things to keep an eye on
Dakwon Evans, Caden Gonzalez clear up quarterback picture
The quarterback picture is a lot more clear for Flagler County's rivals after their second games.
FPC played three signal-callers in its opener at Suwannee — La'Darius Simmons, Cole Walker and Caden Gonzalez. The trio combined to complete 13 of 27 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Gonzalez (6 of 8, 98 yards, TD, INT) fared best, and the senior earned the start Friday against Bishop Moore. He protected the ball and threw for 120 yards on 8-of-15 passing, providing important balance for a Bulldogs' rushing attack that gained 267 yards and scored four times.
Meanwhile, Dakwon Evans is healed from a dislocated clavicle that cost him nearly his entire junior season. He overcame three interceptions and rushed for a team-high 52 yards.
"Our players respect him and have the utmost confidence in him. He is fueled, and his drive is to try and find a way for his team to win football games," Forrest said.
"He's an elite-level talent, and he's an elite-level leader as well. … He's our guy going forward."
2. Matanzas tasked with caging FPC's 'Elephant'
Marcus Mitchell is the undisputed engine of FPC's ground-and-pound machine. The 5-foot-8, 225-pound bruiser has already carried the ball 43 times, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt.
However, the Bulldogs rolled out a short-yardage 'Elephant' power package against Bishop Moore, and finished three possessions with junior defensive end Colby Cronk plowing into the end zone. Defensive tackle Tra'vel Adams checks in as a lead blocker, and Mitchell flanks Cronk to give opposing defenses something extra to key on.
Fish said he and his staff installed that package last Wednesday, and that it will remain a fixture going forward.
"Short yardage, if we need a big play, we're going to call on those guys," Fish said.
"The battle in the trenches is going to be a huge determining factor to who has the edge. We love what we have up front on both sides of the ball. We're excited for that matchup."
To Matanzas' credit, opposing teams have rushed for a pedestrian — by high school football standards, anyway — 4.56 yards per carry. The Pirates did not surrender a touchdown on the ground to either South Lake or Tocoi Creek, and have collected 17½ tackles for loss and four sacks as a unit.
3. FPC receiver, Matanzas kicker could be X-factors
Though stopping Mitchell will surely top Matanzas' defensive checklist, the Pirates will also need to be wary of FPC junior wide receiver Mikhail Zysek.
Zysek was on the receiving end of seven of Gonzalez's eight completions a week ago, had a touchdown at Suwannee in Week 1 and is on his way to posting career-high totals in his second varsity campaign. The 5-foot-9, 160-pounder caught 22 balls for 443 yards and three TDs last year — including one against Matanzas.
Meanwhile, Matanzas can seemingly count on coming away with points any time it crosses midfield. Landon Grover has already booted three field goals, the most among Volusia-Flagler kickers, including a school-record 54-yarder in the win at Tocoi Creek.
Grover hit 3 of 4 attempts, during the entirety of the 2022 campaign. He's also launched three kickoffs through the end zone and averaged 33.5 yards per punt — in the event that field position proves pivotal.
"He's obviously a special kid and a special player," Forrest said.
Staff picks
Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ): Flagler Palm Coast 27, Matanzas 20. Record: 30-5.
Chris Vinel (@ChrisAVinel): Flagler Palm Coast 21, Matanzas 14. Record: 27-8.
Ryan Pritt (@RPritt): Matanzas 24, Flagler Palm Coast 21. Record: 28-7.
Other games
Raines (2-0) at Mainland (3-0), 7
Rallying from 10 points down in the fourth quarter, Mainland scored an important road win over Class 4S title hopeful Bartram Trail. Rodney Hill rushed for the game's final two touchdowns, and Khamani Robinson scored for the third consecutive week. The Buccaneers' dominant defensive line will be tested by a Raines offensive front that includes Solomon Thomas, one of the top junior prospects in the country. Raines defeated Sandalwood last week as Ty'ren Randolph threw a touchdown and ran for another.
Picks — Boyle: Mainland 19-13, Vinel: Mainland 35-24, Pritt: Mainland 30-17.
Deltona (0-2) at Atlantic (1-2), 7
These two teams' Week 3 schedules were altered due to unsafe playing conditions at their respective home fields following rolling thunderstorms last Friday. Atlantic made up its game with Father Lopez on Monday night, a 35-0 win, as Kwasie Kwaku recorded five touchdowns (three rushing, one passing, one interception return). Deltona will meet Matanzas next month and is still in search of its first win under coach Matt Martin. The Wolves gained just 35 yards in their 42-0 loss to Spruce Creek on Sept. 1.
Picks — Boyle: Atlantic 26-15, Vinel: Atlantic 26-16, Pritt: Atlantic 34-13.
Father Lopez (1-2) at Halifax (2-0), 7
Ball security could be crucial for Father Lopez in its District 4-1S opener with Halifax, off to its best start in school history. Jacob Lohman threw six touchdowns at Cedar Creek Christian but was responsible for three turnovers at Atlantic. Halifax's secondary has been opportunistic thus far, hauling in five interceptions — two apiece for Marlan Sampson and Camiese Sloss. The Knights are averaging 9 yards per carry, led by Jeremiah Barthelemy's 170 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
Picks — Boyle: Father Lopez 33-14, Vinel: Father Lopez 28-18, Pritt: Father Lopez 27-21.
University (3-0) at Key West (1-2), 7
University possesses the type of offense that should travel anywhere, and that theory will be tested on a 400-mile journey to Key West. The Titans are balanced, explosive and consistent — demonstrated in their 64-point outburst at Seabreeze. Jermane Hayes and Anthony May scored three times apiece, with both players returning a kickoff the length of the field. Key West does its damage on the ground, racking up 306 yards in last week's victory over Oxbridge. Adrian Mira paced the Conchs with 135 yards, and Leandro Batista tallied 103 with three scores.
Picks — Boyle: University 45-10, Vinel: University 42-20, Pritt: University 56-14.
Pine Ridge (2-0) at Orlando First Academy (3-0), 7
Out to a 2-0 start for the first time in six years, Pine Ridge hung 27 points on Space Coast in the opening quarter last week. Chris Boddie had two of those touchdowns, and Alex Johnson threw one apiece to Jayden Campbell and Arvin Urena. The First Academy will pose the Panthers' biggest challenge to date, coming off consecutive wins over Crescent City, South Lake and Belleview. Julian Anderson is averaging 110.3 receiving yards per game with five TDs, and Ryon Smith has a pair of 100-yard rushing games with four scores.
Picks — Boyle: TFA 23-18, Vinel: TFA 31-21, Pritt: Pine Ridge 37-30.
New Smyrna Beach (2-0) at Astronaut (0-3), 7
It's been more than a decade since New Smyrna Beach began a football season with three straight wins. That year — 2012, for those wondering — ended with a 9-0 record, a district title and a regional playoff game on home soil. Armoni Spurlock had a rushing touchdown and a pick-six last time out for the Barracudas, a 29-21 triumph over Zephyrhills Christian. Astronaut has had a rough go of it to this point, outscored 125-8 by the likes of Melbourne Central Catholic, Sebastian River and Merritt Island.
Picks — Boyle: NSB 43-6, Vinel: NSB 35-7, Pritt: NSB 42-0.
Leesburg First Academy (1-2) at Taylor (2-1), 7
Entering Week 3, eight Volusia-Flagler teams held undefeated records. Taylor was the only one to suffer a setback, falling 36-6 to Cocoa Beach. Andrew North rushed for a touchdown, and Josiah Smith tallied team-highs in rushing yards (51) and tackles (15) for the Wildcats. Cason Cherry is LFA's top weapon with 209 passing yards, 136 rushing yards and three TDs. Logan Stalvey and Bryson Barnett share the TFL lead for the Eagles with five apiece.
Picks — Boyle: Taylor 36-20, Vinel: Taylor 24-20, Pritt: Taylor 17-14.
Andrew Jackson (1-2) at Spruce Creek (3-0), 7:30
Opponents have scored 16 points against Spruce Creek this fall, but none on the Hawks' defense. Perhaps as important, the Hawks have found a rhythm in the passing game. Luke Smith fired four touchdown passes at Haines City, and Tony Kinsler scored three times the week before versus Deltona. The visiting Tigers mustered a lone touchdown in their two defeats, most recently a 7-0 shutout loss against Fletcher. Jackson rolled to a 35-6 win last September, though star linebacker Grayson Howard graduated and is now enrolled at South Carolina.
Picks — Boyle: Spruce Creek 16-10, Vinel: Spruce Creek 24-17, Pritt: Spruce Creek 20-3.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: Volusia-Flagler Week 4 previews, predictions
