DeLand Bulldogs

Three-time FHSAA football state champion Rick Darlington is returning to Florida to take over as head coach at DeLand High School. DeLand athletic director Lance Jenkins made the announcement via email and on social media Monday at 3 p. m.

In a dog-eat-dog contest between the Bulldogs of Flagler Palm Coast (FPC) and the Bulldogs of DeLand, only one team could walk away as this season’s top Bulldog. When the two canine squads faced off, FPC jumped out to an early lead, but DeLand was gaining momentum until a blocked punt in the second quarter placed FPC in the red zone poised to score. DeLand’s defense came to the rescue and forced FPC into a goalline fumble to keep the game within reach at halftime.

The Barracudas rattled the dog house in DeLand as they took a 2-0 set count lead, but the Bulldogs came barking back to win it in 5 sets scoring 19-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, and 15-12 respectively. In a game of momentum shifts, the Barracudas darted ahead of DeLand with junior outside hitter Eden Anderson giving New Smyrna 12 kills to lead the offense. The Bulldogs countered that offense with four DeLand players tallying 9 kills apiece.

The Bulldogs broke out of the doghouse and swept the Titans in 3 sets on the road for a 25-29, 25-14, 25-9 quick match. Despite the amazing performance by junior outside hitter Jerianna Flaverney for the Titans, the offense of the Bulldogs pulled away from the Titan’s comeback attempts each time to secure a victory for DeLand. Freshman outside hitter Erynn Gotsch led the serving for the Bulldogs with 5 aces and also led the offense with 8 kills.

DeLand High's football program simply cannot catch a break — or get on the field, for that matter — this fall. Heavy afternoon showers further soaked the Spec Martin Stadium field Monday, prompting a second postponement of the Bulldogs' contest against District 2-8A rival Oviedo, athletic director Lance Jenkins told The News-Journal. Inclement weather forced the game to be moved back from its original 7 p.

Week 2 of the 2021 High school football season kicks off around the state tonight(yes, Thursday night football!) with two area teams in action.   New Smyrna Beach will open its difficult district schedule with Jones at home, while Deltona hits the road for Mount Dora.   Originally, four area teams were set to play tonight, but the University-DeLand game was cancelled three hours prior to kickoff due to COVID issues.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association released the annual high school All-American and Phenom list Wednesday, which includes athletes from the Volusia-Flagler-St Johns area.   All-Americans are classified as the best overall athletes from across the country and are known for showing off their skills and leadership abilities on and off the court.   Those who make the Phenom List are underclassmen who have been recognized by their head coaches for their volleyball abilities and are invited to participate in the Phenom College Prep Program in October.

For the second season in a row, DeLand High reported COVID-19 cases in its football program ahead of its opening game. The school announced late Monday, in a post on Twitter, that Friday's trip to Mainland is canceled with hopes to reschedule the rivalry contest at a later date. "We haven't discussed that yet," DeLand athletic director Lance Jenkins said in a phone interview Tuesday morning.