Team of the week: A.C. Flora hopes to carry momentum into playoffs
After a strong finish to the season, A.C. Flora hopes to carry its momentum into the Class 3A playoffs.
The Falcons, who started 0-2 in Region 4-3A, won their final three games, including this past Friday’s 28-27 victory over unbeaten Chapin, to secure their playoff spot. A.C. Flora travels to Chapman on Friday in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
The Falcons made it to the upper state championship game last season before losing to South Pointe.
“Pressure can do two things. You could either wilt in pressure or rise to it,” A.C. Flora coach Reggie Shaw said. “Fortunately, our kids rose to the occasion. I am really proud on how they have come together. They never stopped believing or never quit.”
Shaw credits the veterans for rallying the team last week in a must-win game against Chapin. The Falcons trailed 21-14 going into the fourth quarter, but took the lead on Clarence Watson’s long touchdown run to make it 28-21.
After Chapin scored to pull within 28-27, Treshaun Hardy blocked the game-tying extra-point attempt.
“Our seniors made up their minds at halftime they weren’t going out like that,” Shaw said. “They willed themselves to win. It is a beautiful thing to see when a team can come together and overcome so much.”
The Falcons’ turnaround began when they put up 72 points in a 72-48 win over Lower Richland on Oct. 23. Shaw said that win was a confidence boost, because the season could have gone either way at that point.
And it’s not just Flora’s performance during games that has gotten better. Their practices, which Shaw says have been intense lately, also have improved during the winning streak.
“Guys just made up their mind they were going to be coachable and accountable,” Shaw said. “If we were going to be successful, we have to beat people in practice. The practices have been intense, and it has paid off.”
The Falcons have gotten contributions from several different players during the streak, including Watson and receiver/defensive back Cory Riley. Watson has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past three games and leads the team with 701 yards on the ground.
Riley caught his first two TD passes of the year against Chapin and is tops on the team with five interceptions. Quarterback Brendan Greene has thrown 17 TD passes, and Thomas Hollingsworth has 645 receiving yards and nine TDs.
Safety Lane Botkin leads the team with 109 tackles.
“We came together the last three games and have been able to win games,” Riley said. “I think we are going to make a run in the playoffs because of our momentum and how we came together as a team.”