FLOWERY BRANCH — Flowery Branch used a 15-point third quarter to erase a halftime deficit and hold on for a 30-16 victory over Salem Friday night in a must-win Region 8-AAAAA contest in Flowery Branch.
The Falcons (6-3, 5-3 Region 8-AAAAA) had to win to stay alive for a playoff berth and now sets up a season finale showdown with rival Gainesville next week at City Park for a shot at the playoffs.
Against Salem, Flowery Branch trailed most of the first half. The Seminoles took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from D.J. Carter to Justin Marshall. The Falcons cut the lead to 7-2 when Jesus Alvarado and Tyler Williams tackled Salem running back Tyriano Greene for a safety with 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
Flowery Branch took its first lead 8-7 when Malik Drayton rumbled 50- yards for a touchdown with 3:44 left in the half. The Seminoles responded less than two minutes later when Carter connected with Andrew Morton on a 45-yard touchdown strike for a 13-8 halftime lead.
The Falcons took control in the third quarter. Kory Graham and Jasen Johnson connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass early in the period to grab a 15-13 lead but Salem reclaimed the lead 16-13 on a Greg Bennett field goal. Cortez Davis gave the Falcons the lead for good two minutes later with a 1-yard touchdown run capping a 7-play 58-yard drive. DFavis added a 2-point converson for a 23-16 lead.
Flowery Branch sealed the win late in the fourth quarter when Johnson scored on a 1-yard run with 1:35 left to cap a 6-minute drive.
The two offenses nearly equaled each other. The Seminoles finished with 266 total yards and the Falcons 265 total yards. However, the Falcons held the ball for 28:40 compared to just 19:20 for Salem for the game.
