Neptune Beach Fl-In a thrilling showdown on the field, the Fletcher Senators took down the Mandarin Mustangs 19-6 to win the 2024-2025 Duval County Gateway Conference Flag Football Championship. The victory was not just a big win—it marked exactly 20 years since Fletcher first took home the title back in 2005.
Leading up to the championship game, both teams had impressive runs. Fletcher powered past Atlantic Coast 28-7 and edged out Ed White 21-18. Mandarin, on the other hand, handled Riverside 28-12 and snuck by Stanton 6-0 to earn their spot in the final.
Can't stop Jasmine Cross! Touchdown Fletcher!! @Jasmine1cross with the jets!
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) April 4, 2025they lead Mandarin 13-0! pic.twitter.com/sluDaewB6X
From the start of the championship game, Fletcher quarterback Jasmine Cross made it clear she came to play. On the first drive of the game, she juked past defenders and dashed 40 yards for a touchdown that had the crowd on their feet. Not long after, Cross dropped back, escaped pressure, and scrambled for a 30-yard touchdown. With the extra point good, Fletcher jumped ahead 13-0.
But Cross wasn’t done. Later in the first half, she fired a 50-yard rocket straight down the middle to Racheal McCroy for another touchdown. Just like that, the Senators had a 19-0 lead and all the momentum.
“I knew coming into the game that we had to keep the same intensity, keep our composure, stick to the basics, and that’s exactly what we did—we started off strong,” said Cross after the game.
Jasmine Cross with the bomb to Racheal McCroy
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) April 4, 2025wow!!!
@Jasmine1cross is putting on a show! Fletcher leads Mandarin 19-0, 2nd Gateway Conference Championship pic.twitter.com/UpwyXBRp9R
Mandarin didn’t back down though. In the second quarter, quarterback Camron Latsko hit Makinzie Ten Eyck for a short touchdown, cutting into the lead. Then, Olivia Gamble made a big play with an interception just before halftime. The teams went into the break with Fletcher up 19-6.
In the second half, both defenses locked in. Fletcher was knocking on the door again late in the fourth quarter, but Olivia Gamble came up big once more with a diving interception at the goal line to keep her team in it.
Olivia Gamble!! Interception for Mandarin! Her second of the game!! Wow! @MandarinFlagFB staying in the Gateway Conference Championship trailing 19-6 . 4:08 , 4th pic.twitter.com/BkPvhQCqUo
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) April 4, 2025
Mandarin responded with a strong drive. Reese Holman caught two long passes, moving her team into the red zone. But on the 5-yard line, needing a score, Mandarin’s hopes were dashed when Arabella Thomas intercepted a pass to seal the win for Fletcher.
With the final whistle, Fletcher celebrated a hard-fought championship—and a return to the top of the Gateway Conference after two decades. Head coach Bradley Ashmore and the Senators are champs again, 20 years after their first title, proving that history can repeat itself in the best way possible.
