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Suitland High School's football players stayed on the field for nearly half an hour after Saturday's 4A South Region semifinal game before getting on the bus home for one last ride together as a team.

A touchdown run by Charles H. Flowers running back John Clark in the final minute of Saturday's game lifted the Jaguars to a 34-27 victory and ended Suitland's season. The Rams had one final attempt to tie the game, but a pass by senior quarterback Devonte' Lindsey was batted away in the end zone by Flowers' Cooksey Hunter just before time expired.

As Suitland's players walked off the field, the realization hit them that one of the most emotional seasons in school history had finally come to an end.

Suitland's year started with the death of longtime coach Nick Lynch in an automobile accident on Dec. 31. The year came to an end on Saturday with the loss to Flowers in the playoffs. In between those two bookends was a 9-1 season and a trip to the 4A South Region playoffs.

"They gave all they had this year," said Suitland coach Ed Shields, Lynch's successor who guided Suitland to two state championships in his 13 seasons. "If we would have asked them to run through a brick wall, they would have made five holes in it. I am just so proud of them. It's a shame that it ended [Saturday], but that doesn't change how proud I am of them."

The season started with a 14-7 loss to Henry A. Wise at the inaugural Nick Lynch Classic at Largo High School. The Rams won their next nine games, which included victories against fellow playoff participants Flowers and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Senior running back Dontrewell Kelley said despite the success, losing Lynch made it a difficult season.

"It was tough without him on our sidelines to watch our senior year," Kelley said. "But it was a good season because a lot of people didn't even have us making the playoffs. But we went 9-1 and made the playoffs."

As they look ahead to 2010, the Rams are going to have to replace a lot of firepower if they are going to enjoy the same success.

Suitland's offense was versatile, led by one of the more dynamic passing attacks in Prince George's County. Lindsey completed 86 of 137 for 1,461 yards and 11 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Jason Johnson was one of his top targets, with 22 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns.

The Rams also lose all three running backs that saw significant time this season. Kelley, Keith Brown and Kevin Williams combined to rush for 2,061 yards and 29 touchdowns. In all, the Rams will need to replace 17 seniors from this year's squad.

But Suitland will have one of the county's top receivers returning next fall. Junior Lavern Jacobs finished the season with 34 catches for 703 yards and four touchdowns. Before Suitland starts thinking about next season, though, Shields said it will be sad to see this group of seniors go.

"They were the leaders of the team, and they helped the younger guys get through a lot of things," Shields said. "A lot of people would have fallen with what they had to deal with this year. They didn't stumble this year; instead, they stood tall."

E-mail Joshua Hudson at

jhudson@gazette.net.