Photo by Jeff Blake/ColumbiaWeddingPhotos.com With a helpful push from teammate Ricky Williams, #20, left, A.C. Flora running back Cedric Cornelius lunges over the goal line for a touchdown against Dreher. T–shirts, special effects, and theme nights can help, but nothing generates enthusiasm like a winning streak.

A.C. Flora has one.

The Falcons defeated neighborhood rival Dreher, 18–7, at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 18 for their third win in a row matching the team’s longest winning streak in five seasons. A.C. Flora also won three in a row last season before losing its final five games.

“If we don’t have the right motivation and the right momentum for the upcoming region, we will not be able to do anything, so having (a streak) is very important,” Jalen Ayers said. The senior led the Falcons with 89 yards on 13 carries including a 9–yard score early in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Photo by Jeff Blake/ColumbiaWeddingPhotos.com A.C. Flora tight end Connor Lewis makes a long reception in front of Dreher defensive back Bud Jeter. The streak – and a 3–2 start – couldn’t come at a better time for first–year coach Dean Howell and his staff, who know the key to long–term success at A.C. Flora has as much to do with what takes place off the field as on.

“We’re trying to create a little community excitement, a little school excitement,” Howell said. “We’re trying to build enthusiasm.”

To that end, A.C. Flora proclaimed the game a “White Out” night. The team wore all white, fans were encouraged to wear white and matching T–shirts were distributed to students, who packed the student section of the home stands.

Students of all ages were invited on the field to form the corridor the team ran through while making its pregame entrance and a few fire extinguishers added special effects to the moment.

Photos by Jeff Blake/ColumbiaWeddingPhotos.com Dreher tight end Chas Barrineau hauls in a touchdown reception against A.C. Flora. The Falcons added a few special effects once the game began.

A 46–yard pass from Stephen Cagle to tight end Connor Lewis set up A.C. Flora’s second–quarter touchdown (an 8–yard run by Cedric Cornelius).

The Falcons faked the extra point and successfully converted the pass for an 8–7 lead.

First–year kicker Lee Knudson kicked a 31–yard field goal just before intermission to build an 11–7 lead.

The defense got in on the act by stopping Dreher on downs at the 5 after a 17–play, 8:36 drive to open the second half.

A.C. Flora quarterback Stephen Cagle looks to pass against Dreher. For its part, Dreher (1–3) ran for more yards than A.C. Flora, 182–164, ran 10 more plays, and held a 4 minute time of possession advantage.

“We were trying to kick (their edge defenders) out a little bit, but the problem was we couldn’t get rid of those inside linebackers,” Dreher coach Bill Bacon said. “Just as we were about to break it, those inside linebackers were coming out and making some good hits.”

Leonard Kennedy led Dreher with 96 yards rushing on 15 carries. Jackson Edwards (44), Sheldon Van Dyke (30), and Devante Sims (35) recorded at least eight carries. However, it was a 5–yard pass from Edwards to Chas Barrineau that gave Dreher a 7–0 lead late in the first quarter. The scoring drive was set up by Farrington Huguenin’s interception near midfield.

Dreher faces Keenan this week. A.C. Flora (3–2) has an off week before opening region action at Lower Richland on Oct. 2. That gives quarterback Cagle a chance to heal. The sophomore separated a shoulder on a running play to start the fourth quarter, forcing freshman Jake Lewis to finish at quarterback.