PHOTOS: Dr. Phillips runs away with its first district win, Olympia wants to change its approach

The voices of fans echoed throughout Dr. Phillips’ Bill Spoon Stadium for its first district game against Olympia. 

Stakes were high entering the matchup. A district win was on the line and a chance to extend their historical record against the opponent. As soon as the kickoff sounded off at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, Dr. Phillips (5-1) and Olympia (1-5) sprung into action. 

The Panthers were the first to score, led by running back Zion Matthews, but he didn’t stop there. Dr. Phillips ended the game with a 42-6 win over Olympia. 

“Rodney’s one of my closest friends and I mean that’s what they are,” Olympia head coach Travis Gabriel said. “That’s Dr. Phillips. That’s one of the best teams in the history of Central Florida.”

Matthews continued to play his heart out throughout the night. He scored all of the Panthers’ points and finished the game with six rushing touchdowns. 

“We always plan on utilizing the run game,” Dr. Phillips head coach Rodney Wells said. “Zion is a big, fast and powerful running back. He’s always had those identities. Tonight was just his night. He got down a few plays and we didn't think he was going to break but he broke.” 

Dr. Phillips entered the field with a playoff game mentality and Wells said its “big” to have beaten one of the best teams in the district and hold a 1-0 record. 

“East Ridge is 6-0 so that’ll serve as a big challenge in our next game,” he said. “But we have a bye week. We can heal up and get ready for each week.”

LEARINING TO CHANGE APPROACHING STYLE 

Olympia scored with 4:05 left in the first quarter, but missed the extra point. The team struggled to find the end zone again, struggling with turnovers that gave Dr. Phillips prime field position. 

At the end of every game, win or loss, there’s a lesson to be told. 

“I’m hoping that they learn how to change the way they approach them (games),” Gabriel said.“Because I try to continue to tell them about the intensity. You can’t do the same thing at the same time and expect a different results. The results are going to remain the way they are as long as we continue to be who we are.”

He wants the young men to learn how to adjust to their opponents. Gabriel is asking his team to be better in practice and in everything they do so they can see the improvements on the field.

The team is still young and learning how to play as a unit together. Olympia lost 36 seniors after 2023. 

“A lot of these guys, it’s their first year playing varsity,” Gabriel said. “We really hit the reset button a couple of years ago and we’re still feeling around and we just try to coach the kids we got.”