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A new year has brought familiar results on the field for the Charles H. Flowers High School football team.

The Jaguars improved to 5-0 with a 21-6 victory over Oxon Hill (2-3) on Friday.

Since making the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2003, Flowers has played on as high a level as any team in the County 4A League, compiling a 42-8 mark in its last 50 games.

Under head coach Mike Mayo, Flowers remains a perennial threat to win the 4A South Region. And this year, the Jaguars again find themselves in excellent position to make a run deep into the playoffs, with their first goal to dethrone two-time defending region champion Suitland.

So far in 2008, no county team in any classification has been better defensively than the Jaguars, who have yielded a county-low 26 points. And following Friday's game, Mayo was sold on his defense.

"We thought that Oxon Hill was the most dangerous team in the county before this game," Mayo said. "I have to give it to my defense, they came up real big for us. I think the times where the other teams have scored the most have been when we've had our backups in. Hopefully, our first-team defense can stay disciplined."

Much of the Jaguars' suffocation of opposing offenses has been due to the play of star linebacker Lorne Goree. A member of the 2007 Gazette-Star All-County First Team Defense, Goree has been asked by the Jaguars' coaches to line up virtually everywhere on defense this season.

Goree spent much of Friday's game on Oxon Hill's slot receiver, a position that usually is played by defensive backs.

Before the season began, Goree verbally committed to play for the University of Maryland football team next fall. Goree said the Terrapins' coaches have spoken with him about several positions. But all he cares about at the moment is the welfare of the Jaguars.

"I think we have the top defense in state right now," said Goree, who had a sack against Oxon Hill. "A state championship is the first thing on my plate. I don't think too many offenses can do much against us."

Goree added, "I think [playing multiple positions] is preparing me a lot, giving me more chances at making plays. I'm learning a lot more now. It's making me better and better. I feel I'm getting stronger and more talented."

The Jaguars' signature power rushing attack is not to be overlooked though, as Flowers remains among the top offenses in the county. The Jaguars' combination of tailbacks Michael Stennett, Reggie Woods and Jonathan Clark and quarterback Dwayne Powell combined for 202 yards and three touchdowns on the ground against the Clippers.

"We have a lot of athletes on offense. We have a lot of weapons," said Clark, who has run for three touchdowns this season. "We have different backs coming in and rotating. Our running isn't real good without our offensive line and we give respect to them."

Despite having an undefeated mark, the Jaguars' are all too familiar with the emptiness of not winning the big game, having lost four of the last five 4A South Region finals.

But Powell said this season can be different.

"I think we're the best in the area, and if we keep working hard, I'm pretty sure we can come out on top this year," Powell said. "We have a lot of talent on our football team."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.