JACKSONVILLE– Fleming Island High’s defense and special teams struck for two quick scores then a game-ender in the fourth quarter in the Golden Eagles 20-6 non-district win over 6A-Ed White Thursday night at Ed White High School.

Fleming Island improves to 7-2 overall with a season finale against 5A-Orange Park (1-8) on Friday before gearing up for the state playoffs with a probable game at number three seed Edgewater High (8-1) out of the Orlando area.

Ironically, district 3-7A has three teams; Buchholz, Bartram Trail and Fleming Island, still viable for playoffs.

Against Ed White (3-6), Fleming Island created their first break with a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff from Ernie Jones after a mad scramble near the 25 yard line. Fleming Island, who lost a 10 yard run from tailback DeWayne McBride with a penalty flag, was able to finish with the first of two field goals from Avery Coussens to go up 3-0.

“We went with Barry Brown at quarterback because he nearly saved our game against Creekside,” said Fleming Island coach Damenyum Springs. “This game came down to blocking and catching passes and we did not do a good job in either. Defense did a nice job.”

On the next White series, a failed punt snap got scooped up by Jones in the end zone after a vicious hit on the punter from Fleming Island linebacker Ryan Smenda left the ball sitting in the White end zone.

White regrouped from the two mishaps with an 80 yard run to paydirt from quarterback Isiah Flowers who sprinted untouched through the center of the Fleming Island defense to score the game 10-6.

Both defenses bottled up any offensive threats until halftime where the score was still at 10-6.

Top tacklers for Fleming Island were Smenda with 13 tackles and Jackson Bull and Jack Surgeoner.

In the second half, Coussens got a second field goal in the third before defensive back Eugene Oglethorpe snagged a pass at the 35 yard line and returned it for the final touchdown of the game.