*** Check here for interviews and game highlights ***

By James A. McCray III
Prince George's County, Content Manager

Scissors. It is a simple word, but that word represented the two biggest plays in Saturday's football matchup as the Suitland Rams visited the Charles H. Flowers Jaguars in a pivotal matchup for a home game in the approaching 4A South playoffs.

With the game tied at 14-14 and Flowers on offense in the first overtime period, running back Reginald Woods took the misdirection running play and ran towards the middle of the field. As he inched towards the goal line with tacklers at his back, he stretched his arm out towards the white paint, ball in hand, and looked towards the referee.

As the referee signaled touchdown, Woods exploded with emotion and his teammates followed suit as the touchdown gave Flowers the 20-14 victory over Suitland.

It was the same exact misdirection running play that had sprung Woods for a 90-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 14.

"We call it scissors," Flowers head coach Mike Mayo said, "go one way and come back the other. We knew they were going to be very aggressive going after the ball and [Woods] broke some tackles and got it in there."

Flowers (8-1) fell into an early hole as Suitland gained a 14-0 lead heading into the half. 

However, the Jaguars came out in the third quarter and on the opening possession of the second half sustained a 13-play 8 minute 29 second drive that culminated with a James Jenkins 6-yard touchdown plunge to cut the lead to 14-7.

"This little thing right here, heart," Jenkins said pointing to his heart in response to what changed in between the first and second half. " ... You have to want it, that's what it's about, just going for it."

Jenkins' touchdown then set the scene for the late-game heroics of not only Woods, but the Jaguars defense in stopping Suitland from scoring for the duration of the second half and overtime period.

"This was a typical Suitland-Flowers game," Mayo said. "It was hard fought, it went back and forth, just typical. ... [Suitland] played their hearts out, we played ours out, and we just happened to come out on top."

If both teams can manage to earn victories in its respective last games, they will meet again in the 4A South playoffs, and with this victory, Flowers will have the home-field advantage.

"Well, it is very important that we don't have to go over there to Suitland," Mayo continued. "They like being at home and everything, but we told the kids, we told the seniors, you don't win this game, and this is your last home game. They didn't want this to be their last game."

Woods finished the game with 121 yards to lead all rushers in the contest.

Running back Kevin Williams led Suitland (7-2) on the ground with 56 yards on 11 attempts and scored Suitland's first touchdown on its second offensive possession to give it a 7-0 lead.

Dontrewell Kelley (21 yards) scored Suitland's second touchdown late in the second quarter giving Suitland the 14-0 lead entering halftime.

tmccray@digitalsports.com

C.H. Flowers 20, Suitland 14

Suitland    --    7   7   0   0   0
Flowers    --    0   0   7   7   6

First quarter:
S --    Williams 2 run, 5:24 (Mack kick)
Second quarter:
S --    Kelley 5 run, 10:28 (Mack kick)
Third quarter:
F --    Jenkins 6 run, 8:29 (Levicy kick)
Fourth quarter:
F --    Woods 90 run, :16 (Levicy kick)
Overtime
F --    Woods 10 run

Top individual performers
Rushing
Suitland: Williams 11-56, Kelley 6-21, Brown 7-28
Flowers: Woods 7-121, Stennett 3-23, Powell 4-21
Passing
Suitland: Lindsey 6-15-1 83
Flowers: Powell 6-10-0 106
Receiving
Suitland: Williams 1-30, Johnson 3-26
Flowers Goree Jr. 1-50, Stennett 2-19