WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: FPC builds big lead, beats Spruce Creek
Dennis Murray Jr. threw two first-quarter touchdown passes, and Flagler Palm Coast's defense forced three turnovers before halftime Friday to build a 21-point lead en route to a 35-14 win over host Spruce Creek.
Murray connected with Gerod Tolbert for a 70-yard strike less than a minute into the contest, one which pitted two of the Volusia-Flagler-St. Johns area's top-five teams head-to-head.
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Mikhail Zysek caught a 15-yard touchdown near the end of the opening period, and Marcus Mitchell capitalized on FPC's fumble recovery for an 8-yard TD run with 1:21 left in the half.
Spruce Creek (1-2) made a game of it in the second half with short touchdown runs by Luke Smith and Tony Kinsler. But, FPC (2-0) sealed the outcome with a pair of scores in the final four minutes — a touchdown catch for Ashton Bracewell, and a short run to the end zone for Landin Simmons.
FPC will have two games in quick succession, facing Matanzas next Friday and Mainland the following Monday. Spruce Creek will try to snap its two-game skid in Jacksonville with a difficult trip to Andrew Jackson.
Deltona 26, Matanzas 7
Deltona's offense generated most of the headlines through its first two games, but its other units starred in Friday's win at Matanzas.
Jude Santana returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, and the Wolves held the host Pirates to 20 yards of total offense to improve to 3-0. Santana finished the night with three touchdowns, rushing for one and catching another as Deltona pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Cole Hash put the only points on the board for Matanzas (1-2) with a late pick-six.
Deltona faces Atlantic next week, while Matanzas prepares for the Potato Bowl with FPC.
Columbia 21, DeLand 16
Javon Ross and Demontay Johnson ran for touchdowns, but DeLand (1-2) could not hold off a desperate Columbia team in search of its first win of the fall.
Central Michigan commit Tyler Jefferson engineered a crucial 11-play, 53-yard scoring drive near the end of the third quarter, capped off by Tony Fulton's 1-yard, go-ahead touchdown run.
Jaden Robinson returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown and Tray Tolliver caught a 73-yard TD for the Tigers (1-2).
DeLand enters its bye week, and will travel to Seabreeze on Sept. 23.
University 28, Seabreeze 9
Jaay-R Cook pocketed a pair of picks, and rushed for two touchdowns to lead the Titans to their first victory of the season.
The Titans forced five Seabreeze turnovers. Jermaine Hayes added a receiving touchdown, and Rubens Joseph ran for another.
University will look to even its record when it travels to Pine Ridge next week. Seabreeze (0-3) enters the bye before DeLand makes its second journey to Daytona Stadium.
Fleming Island 19, Nease 14
Samuel Singleton rushed for two touchdowns and Fleming Island held off a fourth-quarter rally to down Nease (0-3).
Marcus Stokes ran for a TD for the Panthers in a battle of Super 11 recruits. The Panthers will continue their search for a first victory next week when they host Fletcher.
Cibastian Broughton broke away for a late score for Fleming Island (3-0).
Menendez 40, Pine Ridge 0
Christian Coleman had three rushing touchdowns and Zahki James added one, as the Falcons improved to 2-1 with a shutout of Pine Ridge (0-3).
QB Brooks Cornelison connected with Michael Boccio on a 30-yard score, and Boccio also caught a 45-yard TD pass from Bryce Petellat.
Noah Lawless intercepted a pass, and Joseph Holloman and Kani Harris added a safety. Menendez (2-1) gears up for St. Augustine in next week's rivalry matchup between Ancient City schools.
Atlantic 35, Father Lopez 12
John Killingsworth ran 25 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns as the Sharks entered the win column for the first time in 2022.
The Sharks (1-2) head to undefeated Deltona next week. Father Lopez gets a favorable matchup against Trinity Prep, an opponent the Green Wave defeated 28-0 in a half last season.
St. Joseph 8, Halifax 6
Brody Ealy ran for a game-tying touchdown, and Duke Ridley tacked on what proved to be a decisive two-point conversion as the host Flashes held off Halifax.
Jack Tittler broke up four passes, and Nathaniel Kes led the team in tackles on the night.
Both teams are back in action for Week 4; St. Joseph (1-2) faces Eagle's View, and Halifax (1-2) hosts Melbourne Central Catholic.
Cocoa Beach 49, Taylor 0
The Minutemen rolled in Pierson to a second consecutive win.
Alan Bailey scored the game's first three touchdowns, all on the ground. Logan Silvea completed scoring passes to Brennan Berk twice and to Aaron Garber.
Taylor (1-2), which dropped its second straight, welcomes Bell to town next week.
Beachside, Christ's Church postponed
Only one Friday game was unable to be completed.
Inclement weather spoiled the scheduled game between Beachside and Christ's Church. Those teams will instead meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Providence School in Jacksonville.
— Clayton Freeman and Brian McCallum contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler-St. Johns Week 3 high school football roundup
