A.C. Flora Routs North Myrtle Beach For Class 4A Title

Ian Guerin December 5, 2020 @ 10:43 PM

The most powerful team in the state not named Dutch Fork proved its first eight games of the season weren’t a fluke. A.C. Flora handled business against North Myrtle Beach, winning the Class 4A state championship with a 42-7 showing that wasn’t in doubt during the final three quarters. Both offensively and defensively, the Falcons flexed their muscles and added yet another lopsided victory to their 2020 slate. These players were among the biggest reasons why. AMOREE STEPHENS, DEFENSIVE TACKLE The team’s leading tackler kept up his potent ways against the Chiefs. He had a team-high six tackles - which isn’t by itself mind-blowing. However, his had four tackles for loss, three of which happened on first down to put the Chiefs behind the chains. MARKELL TOWNSEND, RUNNING BACK One of his eight carries was the backbreaker the Falcons hoped for. Midway through the third quarter with the Falcons up 20-7, Townsend took a wildcat snap around the left side of the line, fought through an obvious facemask penalty and raced to the end zone. MATT PACK, RUNNING BACK Pack’s overall rushing total - he finished with 41 yards and a score - wasn’t as valuable as the long-term effect. Early in the game, he continually initiated contact with defenders who had to work harder than normal to bring him down, and the impact showed even before halftime. ERIQ RICE, RECEIVER With two first-half catches, Rice managed to stretch the field. His first touchdown reception was a simple swing route that he broke off for 45 yards and the Falcons’ first points. Five minutes later, he caught a laser in the end zone after burning his defender. ETHAN BEAMISH, QUARTERBACK Throwing that laser (and a few others) was Beamish. The quarterback was dialed in start to finish on Saturday, throwing for 272 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-25 passing. Without much pressure, he looked exactly like a state championship quarterback.