Northeast FL- Two Northeast Florida teams kicked of their seasons on Thursday night football to start the 2022 season. Matanzas defeated Pine Ridge 42-0 in Palm Coast and just 77 miles to the east, Buchholz defeated Columbia 31-14. The game in Palm Coast would start on time, however the game in Gainesville would suffer an hour and a half rain delay.
Matanzas (1-0) started the season on defense forcign a turnover when Cole Hash grabbed an interception. It was a route from there as the Pirates scored 42 unanswered points for the win. Quarterback Dakwon Evans scored three rushing touchdowns, and threw for two passing touchdowns on the evening. By halftime Matanzas led 28-0 with touchdown passes to Cole Hash for 62-yards, and Jordan Mills for 17-yard score.
Evans would score from all areas of the field, when Luke Doner blocked a punt, and Evans would score again from 17-yards out to end his night. A 5yard touchdown run by Zach Furey closed out the scoring as Matanzas defeated Pine Ridge (0-1), 42-0. Matanzas takes on Tocoi Creek next Friday at home for the chance to go 2-0.
In Gainesville both teams struggled on offense to start the game after a weather dealy and a soaked Citizens Field. However, after a Buchholz field goal kicked off the scoring, Florida commit quarterback Creed Whittemore converted a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line to put Buchholz up 10-0 in the second quarter.
Turnovers would plauged Columbia on the evening as they fumbled kickoff returns and thre interceptions to seal their fate. After quarterback Evan Umstead found wider receiver Dailyn Bradley for a touchdown score the game seemed like it could be close as Columbia clawed back into it trailing 10-7 in the second.
However just two plays later, Whittemore took it 66-yards to the house to make the score 17-7. A pick-6 by Ja’carree Kelly before halftime balloooned the Buchholz lead to 24-7.
After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Whittemore would hit Jaren Hamilton for a 40-yard Bobcat score to lead 31-7. Columbia’s quarterback Tyler Jefferson would return after being replaced in the first quarter by Umstead. Jefferson would hit Bynton Edge for a 75-yard touchdown TD. But it wasnt enough as Columbia (0-1) fell to Buchholz (1-0) in the opener.
Columbia is ranked #3 in the week 1 Duval Sports power rankings. This loss, in the grand scheme of things means nothing as the Bobcats will be one of the best teams in the state at season’s conclusion. Columbia faces Union County next Friday in an attempt to bounce back, while Buchholz faces Sarasota Riverview.
