- April 25, 2024
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Spruce Creek's Jhemez Hull (No. 25) returns a fumble recovery 45 yards for a touchdown against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks running back Hayden Flood runs the ball against the Barracudas. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek quarterback Kyle Minckler attempts a pass against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek's Kyle Minckler sheds a tackle and dashes into the end zone against the Barracudas. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek players pray before the start of a drive in the second half. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks players celebrate after Jhemez Hull's fumble recovery touchdown. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks players celebrate after Jhemez Hull's fumble recovery touchdown. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek running back Jacquez Lord runs the ball against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
The Hawks' Logan Monday attempts to bring down the Barracudas' quarterback. Photo by Ray Boone
A Spruce Creek football player chases down the Barracudas' quarterback. Photo by Ray Boone
The Hawks' Travon Killins returns a kickoff against New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Ray Boone
With 4:51 remaining in the third quarter, Spruce Creek’s Hayden Flood took a short pass from quarterback Kyle Minckler, shed a tackle and went 47 yards into the end zone to give the Hawks a 35-21 lead over New Smyrna Beach.
Instead of an energetic chest bump or some other elaborate celebration, the junior running back flicked the ball to the referee and opted for a quick fist bump with a teammate before jogging off the field.
You wouldn’t know it by his reaction, but the long reception was Flood’s third touchdown of the night.
“There’s no reason to go do anything special, you know?” Flood said. “You scored. Just get back and score again.”
In the final game of the regular season, Spruce Creek (8-1, 3-1) blitzed New Smyrna Beach 64-27 on the night of Friday, Nov. 3, at the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex. The Hawks scored on every offensive drive except one: a lone interception by Minckler in the second quarter.
The Barracudas scored 21 points in the first half due to a bruising ground game the Hawks struggled to decipher. The game was tied with 3:01 to go in the second quarter after the Barracudas scored on a one-yard run following Minckler’s interception.
The Hawks focused in on their defensive assignments in the second half, however, surrendering just six points.
But it was Flood who led a dynamic offense that had seven scores on the ground and three through the air.
“He’s been playing consistent all year, and tonight, he really stood out,” Hawks coach Andy Price said. “People try to double-cover him and cover him in man, but he always seems to get open somehow. And, he’s sneaky fast. He’s going to make most of the plays that he’ll get an opportunity to make.”
There was a single blemish on the Hawks’ season: a 17-14 heartbreaking loss to Flagler Palm Coast on homecoming night. But the time to reflect on the season is over.
The playoffs are here.
No. 8 seed Spruce Creek will suit up to play No. 1 seed Winter Park at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Winter Park High School. The Hawks failed to get out of the first round last year, losing 28-20 to Lake Brantley.
“We’re just fortunate enough to be in,” Price said. “We’re just going to get back to work... . We’re going to game plan and try to go out and get a win.”
