Jacksonville Fl- The Fleming Island Flag Football team made it four wins in a row with a huge 12-7 win at Mandarin High Thursday night. The Mustangs came in with a 4-1 record, but the Golden Eagles came up with a huge defensive stand in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to secure the win.
After completing two passes for 32 yards, quarterback Devyn Dudones connected with Sophomore Audrey Ellis for a 3-yard TD pass and a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Dudones has scored a touchdown in each of her four starts this year. Ellis has scored twice on the season, and once again showed explosiveness every time she touched the ball. She leads Fleming Island in total yards.
Mandarin came right back and made it 7-6. Reese Holman took charge on the scoring drive. She mixed runs and passes rotating at quarterback and running back. She would culminate the drive with a short touchdown run around the left side for the score. After a successful extra point, Mandarin led 7-6 in the first half.
The Golden Eagles answered with less than a minute to go in the half, Dudones connected with freshman Seven Gourdet on a 32 yard pass, then hitting junior Daisy Fletcher for a 3-yard TD pass, and a 12-7 lead at the break.
Neither team would score in the second half as the Golden Eagles intercepted a pass, and had two pass breakups, one by Daisy Fletcher, another by sophomore Emily Poucher. Gourdet grabbed her first career interception, as the tall and talented tandem of Gourdet and Poucher knocked down passes and pulled flags.
Although It was the Fleming Island’s offense that scored two first half touchdowns, it was the defense that won the night on the road. Said head coach Clint Lyons after the game, “we base it around defense; once again we held a really good team to only 7 points, and that’s always going to give you a chance”.
Indeed, the Golden Eagles defense has been impressive this year. After a week 1 loss to undefeated New Symrna Beach, Fleming Island has given up just one touchdown in regulation of each game on their 4-game win streak. A shutout of an athletic Ridgeview team (6-0), an overtime win over an impressive Baldwin squad (13-12), and a breakout game against Bartram (20-6) at home highlight the first quarter of their season.
@duvalsports Freshman Seven Gourdet of Fleming Island skies for the interception vs Mandarin!
♬ Let's Go – Key Glock
Fletcher leads the team with 32 tackles, while Fletcher, Loreanis Maysonet, and Emerson Rucker all have sacks on the season. Dundones has two interceptions, with both Poucher, and Ellis picking off a pass each this season as well for the Golden Eagles. It’s a key reason why Fleming Island improved to 4-1 on the season.
Mandarin however, fell to 3-2 on the season after an uncharacteristically low offensive output. The Mustangs defeated Wolfson 29-0, Baldwin 26-0, and Keystone Heights 28-6 earlier this season. Their only loss coming at the hands of powerhouse Alonzo team.
Quarterback Grace Brown has passed for 867 yards and 10 TDs coming into the contest with Fleming Island. Senior Shadae Reid leads the team with 215 yards rushing and a score. She also has 9 sacks, and leads the team in tackles (17).
Holman has been a major playmaker with over 400 yards receiving, and now 7 touchdowns on the season after her score in the game. She also leads Mandarin with 3 interceptions on the season. Bridget Martinez has 2 interception, while Sarah Pasukinski and Madalyn Maneja each have a pick.
Mandarin and head coach Mike Brown will look to get back on a winning streak when they welcome First Coast next week. While Fleming Island will look to continue their defensive display against rival Middleburg at home.
Recap courtesy Mike Lyons
