Marcus Mitchell Jr., Colby Cronk give Flagler Palm Coast anchors on offense and defense
PALM COAST — Daniel Fish admits his opinion is biased.
“But I don't think it's too biased,” Flagler Palm Coast’s coach said.
He believes Marcus Mitchell Jr. and Colby Cronk are the two best players in the Volusia-Flagler area. Mitchell on offense and Cronk on defense.
“I think Cronk is head-over-heels better than everybody else in my opinion, and I think Marcus is the best offensive threat in the county,” Fish said. “Like I said, it might be a little bit biased, but I think they have proven it time after time.”
In 2023, Mitchell paced the area with 1,455 rushing yards. He rumbled for 10 touchdowns, serving as a true bellcow with 187 carries as a junior.
Cronk, a defensive lineman committed to North Carolina State, led the Bulldogs with 75 tackles and ranked among the local sack leaders with 12 as a junior last fall. He also racked up 27 tackles for loss.
Pretty good building blocks for next season.
They each balled out the first time they hit the field in 2024. Flagler Palm Coast handled Pine Ridge 38-7 Thursday at home in the teams’ spring exhibition.
Mitchell carried the ball six times during the Bulldogs’ first drive alone. He plunged nine yards for the opening touchdown.
Mitchell didn’t mind the spring carries. He worked on his body throughout the winter, shedding a few pounds, gaining strength and fine-tuning. Fish said the rising senior has sharpened his diet and has been jogging a mile and taking a recovery ice bath after each practice.
His workload did lessen as the first half went on and new quarterback Cole Walker established a rhythm, though.
“It is a spring game,” Mitchell said. “I like everybody to have fun. I definitely had fun. But again, I know everybody else did, too. It's a good chance to spread the ball around and get everybody in the game.”
Through three high school seasons, Mitchell has gained 2,821 rushing yards — second in school history. Que’Shaun Byrd holds the record with 3,402.
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Fresh off a Class 4A state championship in the shot put, Cronk did not partake in as many reps as his teammates throughout May football practices. That didn’t show Thursday.
Cronk nabbed two half-sacks and a full sack while helping Flagler Palm Coast keep the Panthers off the scoreboard in the first half. He was part of a defense that forced and recovered two fumbles.
“Colby is Colby, man,” Fish said. “He's done such amazing things to his body in the offseason. He was a creature last year. This year, he already looks like he's a Division I player that could play right now. Colby Cronk does a lot of great things. If you go and ask him, he'll tell you what he did wrong and how he can improve. I think that's what's special about him.”
At halftime, Fish approached Mitchell and told him he had the rest of the day off. Cronk, on the other hand, snuck onto the field for the Bulldogs’ first defensive drive of the second half.
“He's hard to miss, so I noticed it right away,” Fish said.
He let Cronk finish the possession, then subbed him out, too.
“Can't risk them in spring,” Fish said. “They're so important.”
Flagler Palm Coast removed the last of its starters with two minutes left in the third quarter. Fish rattled off more than a half-dozen names whose performances excited him.
Walker accounted for four touchdowns, three throwing and one running. He displayed a solid rapport with tight end Roman Caliendo. They connected for one touchdown. Walker also found Robbie Dailey and Mikhail Zysek for end-zone trips.
Right before halftime, Ethan Ruiz drilled a 29-yard field goal.
Stacy Mitchell has grown into a quality pass-rushing partner for Cronk.
“I think we have a lot more depth this year,” Fish said.
The Bulldogs went 3-7 in Fish’s first season at the helm. Entering his second campaign, he said the program is further along than it was at any point in 2023. The players know him. They understand the schemes. They’ve continued to develop.
But it also helps to have two of the area’s top players to rely on.
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Other notes from Flagler Palm Coast vs. Pine Ridge
Chris Boddie scored the Panthers’ lone touchdown when he took a pass 28 yards to the house in the third quarter. As a junior last season, the running back accumulated 900 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He added 221 yards and three scores through the air.
Joel Rosa did not play in Thursday’s game, but he will kick off the summer as Pine Ridge’s quarterback. The University transfer has impressed new coach Greg Miller throughout the spring.
Pine Ridge grabbed three interceptions, including two off Walker.
Flagler Palm Coast offensive coordinator Jake Medlock is currently away from the team while competing in the Arena Football League. He is the quarterback of the Albany Firebirds. Fish said Medlock will return to the Bulldogs this summer.
The second half featured a running clock.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: FPC's Mitchell, Cronk rank among area elite
