- April 25, 2024
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Spruce Creek quarterback Kyle Minckler scrambles out of the pocket against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek runs out of the tunnel before the start of its homecoming game against Flagler Palm Coast. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek's defense celebrates a fumble recovery in the second quarter against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek fans cheer on their team during the first half against the Bulldogs. Photo by Ray Boone
The Hawks' Daniel Diacont chases down FPC running back Ty Jenkins. Photo by Ray Boone
Creek running back Jacquez Lord tries to avoid a tackle against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks kicker Mia Van Winter attempts a field goal in the first quarter against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks speedy running back Jacquez Lord breaks a tackle in the first half against the Bulldogs. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek's Logan Monday tackles an FPC player in the second quarter. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek coach Andy Price (right) and quarterback Kyle Minckler talk on the sidelines before a play. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC defenders sack the Hawks' Kyle Minckler in the fourth quarter. Photo by Ray Boone
The Hawks' Logan Monday takes down FPC running back Ty Jenkins for a loss in the fourth quarter. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek's Kyle Minckler is tackled behind the line of scrimmage against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks running back Hayden Flood carries the ball in the fourth quarter against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
With his team down three points with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter, Hawks defensive back Jhemez Hull had nothing but green grass and a convoy of blockers ahead of him.
After undercutting a route to intercept Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Freeman, Hull went 93 yards untouched into the end zone. Hull was mobbed by his teammates and coaches, the band played its triumphant fight song and the orange-and-black clad fans went ballistic after Spruce Creek regained the lead it had lost after a difficult third quarter.
Until the play was called back: The referees blew the play dead as Hull made his way across the 40-yard line.
The excuse?
One referee thought the Bulldogs had already scored and were going for a 2-point conversion — on a fourth-and-goal, from the six-yard line, immediately following a timeout.
The interception still counted, but Spruce Creek’s lead was wiped from the scoreboard. Hawks running back Jacquez Lord was stuffed on a fourth-and-two only a few plays later.
“We got robbed. Plain and simple,” Spruce Creek defensive coordinator D.J. Mayo said. “Hats off to FPC. They played a great game. They forced turnovers. They gave their offense a short field. I take nothing away from them. But, there’s no denying the magnitude of that call and the impact it had on this game.”
The night started as a battle of the unbeatens, but when the seconds finally ran out, one team stood victorious while the other was left in utter disbelief. Flagler Palm Coast (7-0) took down Spruce Creek 17-14 at Pop Johnson Field on the night of Friday, Oct. 13. It was the Hawks’ homecoming game.
Area passing leader Kyle Minckler was held to 69 yards through the air and completed six of his 20 passing attempts. However, his nine-yard touchdown toss to Hayden Flood in the first quarter was the first score of the game for either team.
Lord, who struggled to get past FPC’s vaunted defense, which surrendered a total of 246 yards to an otherwise explosive Hawks offense, had one breakout play: a 53-yard touchdown run that cut the Bulldogs’ lead to three at the 9:54 mark in the fourth quarter.
Looking back, the Hawks can point to a number of reasons as to why they came up short on Friday night.
First, there’s the penalties, which amounted to a total of 133 yards in the first half alone. Then there's the fumbles on back-to-back drives on their side of the field to start the second half, which set up FPC's only touchdowns of the game. And finally — the play that will be burned into the minds of Hawks players, coaches and fans, alike — the phantom call on the would-have-been pick-six.
Spruce Creek, which had previously obliterated its past five opponents by a total score of 231-26, hasn’t faced adversity like this the entire season. As the Hawks suit up to face Mandarin, who lost to Sandalwood 34-10 on Friday night, for an all-important district game, they don't have the option of letting one play, one-missed call define their season.
“I thought we played well enough to win tonight,” Mayo said. “We’ve just got to move on.”
