Flowers Pulls Away Late to Beat Suitland 34–6 in a Tough Playoff Battle

Flowers earned a 34–6 playoff win over Suitland, but this game wasn’t a breeze early on. The Jaguars struck first in the opening quarter, but they didn’t reach the end zone again until the final 45 seconds of the second quarter. Suitland’s defense made Flowers work for every inch in the first half, and the Jaguars had to grind through stalled drives, short gains, and a tight scoreboard before they finally broke the game open.

Once the second half hit, Flowers settled in, found their rhythm, and took control on both sides of the ball. What started as a tight defensive battle slowly turned into a statement win.

A Slow Start Turns Into a Strong Finish

Quarterback Damieon Butler (Jr.) kept Flowers afloat early with smart decisions and a key 50-yard completion that shifted momentum late in the second quarter. He finished 5-for-10 for 77 yards and a touchdown, doing most of his damage when Flowers needed a spark before halftime.

On the ground, Kodi Gardner (Jr.) was the steady anchor. Suitland held him in check early, forcing short gains and crowding the box. But Gardner kept leaning forward, kept finishing runs, and eventually wore the Rams down. He finished with 22 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown, including a 56-yard burst in the second half that changed the tempo of the game.

Senior T. Saunders added a touchdown and worked the middle of the field in key situations.

Junior Isaac Freeman delivered the biggest catch of the night — a 50-yard shot that helped Flowers escape a slow offensive stretch.

Defense Carries the First Half

Flowers’ defense is the reason the game didn’t slip in those early scoring droughts. Suitland tried to take advantage of the offensive stalls, but Flowers never broke.

• C. Durandisse (So.) led with eight tackles, a TFL, and an interception.

• T. Saunders (Sr.) added 13 tackles and three tackles for loss, stopping several potential Suitland drives before they could build momentum.

• Isaiah Keys (Jr.) grabbed a second interception to kill a promising Rams possession.

The defense kept the score manageable until the offense caught up. That was the difference-maker in the first two quarters.

Pressure Takes Over After Halftime

Once the third quarter started, Flowers’ pass rush took full control.

Five different players recorded sacks:

• Tyger Williams

• T. Saunders

• Gabriel Amadi

• V. Williams

• Jordan Williams

Suitland’s offense couldn’t handle the pressure, and the Jaguars flipped the field repeatedly with stops, sacks, and disrupted plays.

Finishing the Job

With the defense setting the tone, the offense finally opened up. Gardner powered in touchdowns. Butler kept plays alive with his legs. Saunders and Freeman created mismatches in space.

By the fourth quarter, the game had shifted from a defensive fight to Flowers pulling away with big runs, short-field scores, and physical play at the line.

Special teams closed out drives with steady kicks from Elvin Escobar (Sr.), who went 4-for-5 on PATs.

Touchdowns

• Tyger Williams — rushing

• T. Saunders — rushing

• Damieon Butler — rushing

• Kodi Gardner — two rushing

Final Word

The 34–6 score doesn’t tell the full story. Flowers had to work through a slow start, long stretches without points, and a defensive battle that kept the first half tight. But the Jaguars stayed patient, leaned on their defense, and trusted their run game until the second half opened up.

When it mattered, Flowers took over.

When Suitland started to wear down, the Jaguars stepped forward.

A tough first half turned into a strong playoff win — and a clear sign that Flowers can respond under pressure.