PREP FOOTBALL PRIMER: DeLand finally starts season, hosts upstart Deltona

Finally.

That's the feeling around DeLand this week as the Bulldogs make their 2020 football debut against Deltona, a rivalry dubbed the "Battle of the Bone." The area's top-ranked team did not participate in the first available game week for Volusia and Flagler counties due to an assistant coach testing positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 2.

Several of those games were marred by sloppiness — penalties, giveaways, etc. — but DeLand head coach Steve Allen believes his team will settle in right away.

"I think we're going to show up and play well," Allen said on Sept. 16, the team's first day of organized practice. "That's our expectation."

DeLand qualified for the state playoffs for the second consecutive year in 2019, and hasn't lost to a local opponent in two full seasons — something upstart Deltona (0-1) hopes to change.

3 things to keep an eye on

1. Familiar faces

A handful of DeLand's best players, at one point, once wore the blue and white of Deltona.

Mississippi State commit Myzel Williams is the most prominent of the ex-Wolves, suiting up during the 2018 season. That season, the 6-foot, 190-pound safety made 30 solo tackles, broke up six passes and snagged one interception.

Massive offensive tackle Riley Beldin played three seasons for Deltona, and linebacker Lamont Harding and running back Travion Dixon saw significant snaps as well.

2. Ball control

Deltona committed five turnovers in its 30-8 loss at Seabreeze, scoring its lone points courtesy of its defense. Moses Shepherd returned a fumble for six.

Wolves quarterback Chaz Williams was constantly under duress as Seabreeze tallied eight sacks, three alone for linebacker Colt Brown.

DeLand's defense ranks among the best in Central Florida, so the Wolves should aim to end every drive in a kick — a punt, a field goal or a PAT. Things will get out of hands in a hurry if Deltona is loose with the ball.

3. QB1

Aaron Manning garnered the nickname "QB1" from Atlantic's coaching staff last season, topping 1,000 yards passing and rushing and earning All-Area first team honors.

He enrolled at DeLand in January and has impressed in the fall camp with his size, arm strength and leadership.

"In my opinion, I feel like he's the best offensive weapon in Volusia County, regardless of position," Williams said. "He's going to beat people with his arms and his legs. I feel like he's going to win Offensive Player of the Year. Nobody's going to stop him. I feel bad for defensive coordinators having to game-plan for him."

Offensive coordinator Snap Wood loves being aggressive with passing plays, so don't be surprised to see Manning airing it out frequently.

Staff picks

Chris Boyle (@ChrisBoyleDBNJ): DeLand 44, Deltona 6. 2020 Record: 11-1.

Zach Dean (@ZachDeanDBNJ): DeLand 49, Deltona 7. 2020 Record: 10-2.

In other action

Flagler Palm Coast (1-0) at Neptune Beach Fletcher (0-1), 6 p.m.

FPC encountered very few problems in its opener, handing city rival Matanzas a loss for the fourth consecutive year in a 38-0 rout. Chris Parks hit the ground running with 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and junior quarterback Preston Roberts added a pair of scores through the air. The Bulldogs outlasted Fletcher 10-7 in a slugfest a season ago, and will have to slow down Cincinnati commit Myles Montgomery. Fletcher's offensive line — particularly the interior trio of Mike Bartilucci, Bryce Virata and Chandler Kirton — is physically imposing.

Picks — Chris: Fletcher 19-17, Zach: FPC 20-17.

Mainland (1-0) at Sanford Seminole (1-0), 7 p.m.

The Bucs survived a stiff test from Spruce Creek in their opener, making a pair of crucial fourth-quarter defensive stands in a 13-10 victory. Lemondre Joe had a pick-six, and freshman James Randle's first varsity touchdown catch held up as the game-winner. Mainland fell just short at home last year against Seminole, which enters the week with heavy hearts following the death of senior Zi'Erric Wynn, one of the team's top rushers in 2019. USF commit Timmy McClain, a four-year starter, is one of the state's top passers. Donta Whack, Javari Frederick and Rory Thomas rushed for touchdowns in last week's 28-0 win at Gainesville.

Picks — Chris: Seminole 20-10, Zach: Seminole 24-21.

University (1-0) at Seabreeze (1-0), 7 p.m.

These are two programs trending in the right direction, especially after strong opening showings. University left Winter Springs in the dust, piling on 41 points in the first half behind Demari Taylor's 90-yard kickoff return and Adan Figueroa's three total scores. Seabreeze did it with defense, forcing five turnovers against Deltona. Junior cornerback Dimitri Campbell snagged three interceptions, taking one back to the house, in a star-making performance.

Picks — Chris: University 27-21, Zach: Seabreeze 30-28.

New Smyrna Beach (1-0) at Spruce Creek (0-1), 7 p.m.

It was a shaky start for the Barracudas, but they rallied with 28 unanswered points to vanquish Father Lopez. Malakai Hudson contributed 103 of New Smyrna's 212 rushing yards, Sean Roberts tallied three sacks and Cole Stratton recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Turnovers crushed Spruce Creek's chances at a statement win over Mainland, though Kevin Minckler caught six passes for 90 yards and a TD. The Hawks' defense was stout as well, led by the linebacker duo of Maverick Baranowski and Jake Batillo.

Picks — Chris: Spruce Creek 27-14, Zach: Spruce Creek 35-21.

Atlantic (0-0) at Matanzas (0-1), 7 p.m.

Fresh off its first playoff win in 23 years, Atlantic enters the fall feeling more than a tad bit disrespected. The Sharks endured two coaching changes and heavy roster turnover due to graduation and transfers. Senior linebacker Michael Sklare (75 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 16 TFLs) is the team's biggest impact returner. Matanzas went scoreless in Matt Forrest's coaching debut, and the Pirates will look to make strides in their Air Raid scheme. Noah Cundiff caught four balls for 28 yards against FPC.

Picks — Chris: Matanzas 20-7, Zach: Matanzas 19-14.

Pine Ridge (0-0) at Father Lopez (0-1), 7 p.m.

Like Atlantic, both Pine Ridge and Father Lopez experienced multiple coaching changes since the conclusion of the 2019 season. Allen Johnson is now in charge at Pine Ridge, completing the Deltona triangle in his 17th season on the sidelines. The Panthers had more than 50 players at the start of fall camp, though most have not registered significant varsity experience. Daniel Fish lost his coaching debut to New Smyrna Beach, but Father Lopez's offense showed glimpses in the first half. Andrew Acebal, the area's top passer a year ago, completed 16 of 25 passes for 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Picks — Chris: Father Lopez 33-7, Zach: Father Lopez 35-13.

Trinity Christian (2-1) at Orlando Central Florida Christian (1-1), 7 p.m.

It took more than nine quarters, but Trinity's defense finally surrendered points this fall. Unfortunately, its offense had no rebuttal in a 6-0 road loss to Jacksonville Christ's Church. The Eagles mustered just 99 total yards and committed two turnovers, though linebacker Jakiryn Hawkins returned from a shoulder injury to record eight tackles. Under the leadership of former Spruce Creek star Jeremy Campbell, CFCA pounded Leesburg First Academy 68-0 on Friday. Senior Wilkerson St. Juste scored five times and amassed 213 rushing yards on just 10 carries.

Picks — Chris: CFCA 27-12, Zach: CFCA 25-14.

Taylor (1-0) at Newberry (2-1), 7:30 p.m.

Taylor started the year on the right foot as Anson Rodriguez scored twice and Slade Henderson added a touchdown in a 30-12 win over Bell. Jonathan Hernandez tacked on three short field goals, while Kevin Miler and Jarel Medina recovered fumbles. The level of difficulty ramps up big-time this week with a trip to Newberry, one of the better teams in Class 1A. The Panthers have beaten Trenton and Union County back-to-back and could give Taylor's offensive line some trouble with its senior pass-rushing duo of Leontre Robinson and Munashe Lancaster.

Picks — Chris: Newberry 49-0, Zach: Newberry 42-21.