After Matanzas opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, the Bulldogs responded with 42 consecutive points. FPC scored four touchdowns during the second quarter to take a 28-7 advantage into halftime.

Nei’cco Murphy started the Bulldogs’ scoring with a four-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Reid Pritt then connected with Trace Paffrath for a 20-yard touchdown before Ehimen Ajede added scoring runs of seven and three yards.

Ajede produced the biggest play of the night in the third quarter, breaking free for a 64-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-7. Murphy completed the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run and successful two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

Ajede led the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 153 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Murphy added 64 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts as FPC finished with 219 yards on the ground.

Pritt completed 7 of 12 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Paffrath caught the 20-yard touchdown pass, while Logan Jacobelli recorded four receptions.

The FPC defense settled in after Matanzas’ opening touchdown and kept the Pirates off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. The Bulldogs held Matanzas to 183 total yards, six first downs and a 2-for-10 conversion rate on third down.

Khaidyn Steward led the defense with 10 total tackles and one tackle for loss. Josiah Hathaway finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, while Jacob Harnisch recorded eight tackles and one tackle for loss. Mathias Parker contributed six tackles, and Brandon Veal added five tackles and a half-tackle for loss.

Nolan Parkhurst recorded a 13-yard sack, while Caleb Shamblin intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards. Parkhurst also finished with a tackle for loss. The Bulldogs finished with 64 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in the victory.

FPC totaled 266 yards of offense and converted five of its nine third-down opportunities. The Bulldogs opened the season with a rivalry victory and another Potato Bowl win in front of the largest crowd in Sal Campanella Stadium history. FPC returns home again next Friday August 28th as they host the Riverside Generals at 7:00pm.  Purchase your tickets ahead of time and avoid the long lings by visiting: Tickets.FPCSports.com.