It would be nice to say the Volusia-Flagler area’s high school football opening week didn’t have any problems.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature shadowed Week 1 under dark clouds and thunderstorms that caused delays, postponements and early whistles across Volusia County. Of the 11 games that featured local teams, four were postponed, two were victims of extended delays and one ended early.
A lot of football was still able to be played, beginning with Thursday games between Spruce Creek and Erie (Colo.) and Halifax and Satellite. Because of the storms, Week 1’s conclusion will come Monday when a couple programs resume.
Here’s a roundup from the first week of the season.
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Weather causes multiple postponements
Thunderstorms got the best of Volusia County in Week 1.
New Smyrna Beach, University, Atlantic, Pine Ridge and Deltona all got postponed. University and Atlantic were fortunate enough that the storms canceled their respective games before they could kick off. Both will start fresh on Monday.
The Battle of the Boulevard between Pine Ridge and Deltona was halted with the Wolves leading 21-0 with around eight minutes left in the second quarter, per Deltona coach Matt Martin. New Smyrna Beach’s season opener against Hagerty was paused with the Barracudas leading 7-6 with 10:41 left in the second quarter.
Father Lopez vs. Seabreeze was called final at halftime, and Mainland vs. Carol City was substantially delayed as well.
Luckily for Flagler County, the Potato Bowl finished without a hitch. Rain arrived shortly after the final buzzer.
DeLand 35, Lake Wales 34
DeLand has made a name for itself among Florida’s elite, and it got a Week 1 test at 2025 Region 2-4A finalist Lake Wales. In fact, it came down to a late two-point conversion.
The Bulldogs led 35-28 when the Highlanders’ Nashid Jenkins found paydirt on a 24-yard touchdown run with 2:20 remaining in regulation. Instead of playing for overtime, Lake Wales went for the glory with a two-point attempt trailing 35-34.
It was no good. DeLand stopped it to preserve a one-point victory after recovering Lake Wales’ ensuing onside kick, which it allowed the Highlanders to recover on their previous attempt to set up Jenkins’ touchdown.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Taihj Moore finished with 168 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Kaveon Jackson built on his impressive kickoff classic with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Jackson also had a 60-yard catch.
DeLand now looks ahead to its hosting of reigning national champion St. Frances Academy (Md.).
West Oaks 48, Taylor 0
Taylor dressed 12 players and finished with 10 during its kickoff classic against Umatilla a week ago. The Wildcats took 14 players to West Oaks Academy for Week 1, but it again finished with 10.
According to coach BJ Johnson, four Taylor players suffered injuries during a 48-0 loss to West Oaks Academy.
Varsity football was already on the fence for the Wildcats during the offseason because of low participation. With a seven-game schedule, the injury gods have not been kind early into 2026.
Taylor will march to Windermere Prep next week.
Spruce Creek 14, Erie 10 (Thursday)
Following a 75-minute weather delay, Spruce Creek made its season opener worth the wait.
DJ Culley and Keenan Nephew combined for more than 300 rushing yards as the Hawks edged Erie, a playoff team from Colorado.
Culley produced 213 yards on 18 carries. Nephew added 102 yards and accounted for both of his squads’ touchdowns.
The first one, a 47-yard scamper, put Spruce Creek ahead 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
After a 10-0 Erie rally in the second and third quarters, the Hawks regained their mojo early in the fourth with a Daniel Blake interception and a short Nephew score.
Spruce Creek heads to Rockledge in Week 2.
Satellite 52, Halifax 0 (Thursday)
Halifax didn’t have the luxury of knocking off the rust before Week 1. Its outing against Belleview was scrapped by uncooperative weather last week.
To commence the regular season, the Knights ran into a Satellite buzzsaw. They were shut out 52-0 by a Sunshine State Athletic Association squad that went 10-2 last fall.
Next up, Halifax will trek to Impact Christian.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler football roundup: Mother Nature interferes with Week 1
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Reporting by Zach Allen and Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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