- April 25, 2024
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Kyle Minckler hands off to Jacquez Lord, who rushed for nearly 200 yards. Photo by Tim Briggs
Cameron Cole caught a team-high eight passes on Friday. Photo by Tim Briggs
Standout sophomore linebacker Tyler Berrong sat out the preseason game to nurse an injury and rest for the regular season. Photo by Tim Briggs
Kyle Minckler gets brought down for a sack. Photo by Tim Briggs
Travon Killins returns a kickoff during Friday's game. He also netted an interception. Photo by Tim Briggs
Maximus Campbell lines up before a play. He caught a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Photo by Tim Briggs
Spruce Creek senior quarterback Kyle Minckler is at the point where he can call the game himself, and that’s good news for head coach Andy Price.
The bad news is that Spruce Creek lost 35-21 to Seminole on Friday night at part of the Florida-wide preseason kick-off classic.
Not enough defense
“There were spurts in the first half when we had some things going, but they came out in the second half and were more physical,” Price said. “But I thought we put together some good drives in the second half, so that’s something you can hat your hand on going forward.”
Spruce Creek was productive on defense throughout the first two quarters, as the game was a stalemate at 0-0 for much of it, but quickly Creek found themselves down 20-0 with a big hill to climb.
Travon Killins came up with an interception on the team’s first defensive possession and the team had two total takeaways, but were scourged in the ground game by Seminole’s Vernon Maxwell, who scored on a 70-yard run and eclipsed 100 yards on the night.
Minckler’s men
The Hawks scored a trio of touchdowns on the night. Kyle Minckler found Cameron Cole with a touch pass to the end zone during the first half, running back Jacquez Lord scampered 25 yards on an impressive and elusive run and Minckler tossed a beautiful back-shoulder fade to Maximus Campbell.
Minckler acted as the team’s talisman all game. He operated the line of scrimmage and called plays like a veteran. His experience will go a long way toward determining the kind of team that Spruce Creek will be once the regular season starts next week.
“I just think we weren’t ready tonight,” Minckler said. “Sitting in the locker room for an hour before and waiting for the game to start may have taken some of our energy out of us, but I think we’ll be fine.”
Lord rushed for nearly 200 yards and made defenders miss the whole evening. The difference in the game was a defense that was without Tyler Berrong, who didn’t play a snap the entire game. The standout sophomore linebacker was sitting to rest a mild ankle injury and prepare himself for the season opener.
What’s next?
Spruce Creek will host rival Seabreeze on Aug. 25.
