WESTSIDE – Some where up in heaven, Troy Lamb likely cracked a few smiles and celebrated the win with them.
The longtime former Ed White football coach from 1977-1987, who recently passed away from dementia, was honored before Thursdays game by the program as the school officially named the field house he helped built the Troy Lamb Fieldhouse.
Former @EWCommanders
head coach Troy Lamb (1977-1987) who recently passed away was honored by the school moments ago, also named field house after him which he and the football booster club help raise $40K to help build. pic.twitter.com/5zJc0DpgLT— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 18, 2018
Isaiah Flowers made sure Lamb’s family and friends both in attendance went home happy the best way he knew how, guiding the Commanders to a 47-6 win over the visiting Englewood Rams at John Gwynes Field.
Flowers tied a career record with 5 first half touchdowns, running for 192 yards on 13 carries in just 21 minutes before being taken out of the game with 3 minutes left till half.
What a night for @GodFatherZay
192 yards and 5 touchdowns on 13 carries (14.7 ypc) in 21 minutes. Also went over 1,000 yards on the season. pic.twitter.com/DjLlArWdrb— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
It didn’t take long for Flowers to take control of the game, as Flowers raced 55 yards on the opening play of the game for a Commanders score and 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.
Five offensive plays later, he was back in the end zone again on a 15 yard scamper down the left side for a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Senior lineman Jeff Robinson recovered the first of two fumbles at the 36 yard line leading to another score. Flowers 5 yard run up the middle his third of the first half increased the lead to 21-0 two minutes into the third quarter.
Cedric Woodson nearly joined him in the end zone taking a punt back 50 yards before officials called it back for clipping.
Flowers 9 yard carry on the first play of the ensuing drive put him exactly at 1,000 yards on the season on his eleventh carry of the night.
Two plays later, Flowers was back in the end zone again for a fourth time on a 15 yard trot down the right side for a 27-0 lead with 7 minutes left till half.
Officials signaled to the press box to go ahead and run the clock despite it only being a 27 point lead, but nobody ejected.
Kevin Green sacked de Leon for a nine yard loss to force another Rams punt on the night.
Woodson returned the ensuing Rams punt 37 yards down to the 18 yard line, which set up Flowers fifth and final touchdown of the night a 18 yard run on the ensuing play to increase the lead to 35-0 with 3:09 left till half.
Not 1, not 2, Not 3, not 4, but 5 first half touchdowns for Isaiah Flowers on a 18 yard scamper. White leads 35-0 with 3:09 left till half. @DuvalSports
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
Looks like Isaiah Flowers night is done with 192 yards and 5 touchdowns on 13 carries (14.7 ypc) in 21 minutes.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
“I was begging coach to let me go back in and get one more,” Flowers said. “I’ve never had more than 5 touchdowns in a game, I even offered to play another position.”
A huge reason for his success was his offensive line consisting of Austin Castro, Damien Wise Jr., Trevon Adams, Sal Rios and Yontez Jarrell.
“No doubt my line was key for me tonight, we had great communication also,” Flowers said.
Tamichael Shellman picked off a de Leon pass and returned it 60 yards from one side of the 20 yard line to the other side of the 20 yard line, but a block in the back pushed the Commanders back to the 40 yard line.
With Flowers out of the game, White turned to Jaison Patterson in the backfield and Patterson helped move the chains on the ensuing drive getting them inside the 20 yard line.
Grant Travis connected with Zorian Stanton on a over the shoulder 20 yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone to give White a 41-0 lead with 33.7 seconds left till half.
Grant Travis finds Zorian Stanton, who makes an over the shoulder catch in bounds for a 20 yard score, Ed White leads Englewood 41-0 with 33.7 left till half. @DuvalSports @FlaHSFootball
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
As they did the entire first half, the defense led by Alex Anthony sacked Braulio Ponce de Leon to end the first half with a commanding 41-0 lead. Anthony was one of several defenders in the backfield through out the night, as Anthony was a tackling machine accounting for at least six tackles in the first half.
Robinson recovered another fumble to start the third quarter off with the Commanders taking over at the 40 yard line.
Travis brought the crowd to its feet with a 29 yard scramble on the Commanders first play of the second half to bring them inside the 31 yard line. Ray McArthur’s 19 yard run put them inside 9 yard line, however a bad snap recovered by Travis put them back to the 10.
This proved to be fatal, as Travis ensuing pass was picked off by Jahquez Shaw in the end zone and returned 102 yards for a score cutting the lead to 41-6 with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
Jahquez Shaw with the 102 yard pick six for the Englewood Rams tonight pic.twitter.com/7oaNiOO25b
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
McArthur rumbled 39 yards down the left side on the first play of the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 47-6 seconds into the final quarter to cap the scoring.
Ed White wins key district game with Englewood 47-6. Now looks to finish game with Middleburg Monday. pic.twitter.com/wMPtiOVMTV
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 19, 2018
Ed White (3-4, 2-1) will finish its suspended game with visiting Middleburg (2-5, 1-1) Monday night at home and try to get to five hundred on the season, before traveling to Fleming Island on Friday.
A funny thing happened Friday as Nease knocked off St. Augustine 14-13, meaning its a four team race now for the District 4-6A title and automatic playoff berth.
A win over Middleburg would put the Commanders in great position to take the district title depending on how other games shake up.
You might think the Commanders may be mentally or physical drained for the week ahead with 3 games in 9 days but Flowers said not so.
“Not really concerned at all, we just have to come out with the right mentality and physicality and finish this thing out,” Flowers said.
District 4-6A
St. Augustine 2-1 4-5
Ed White 2-1 3-4
Nease 2-1 2-6
Middleburg 1-1 2-5
Englewood 0-3 1-7
