- April 24, 2024
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So much was unclear after the Hawks' heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Flagler Palm Coast on Oct. 13.
Faced with the challenge of bouncing back from a haunting blunder by a referee and their first loss of the season, the Hawks responded in a 35-28 win over Mandarin in double overtime on the night of Friday, Oct. 20, at Mandarin High School. The heart-stopping victory kept Spruce Creek alive in its quest for a playoff berth.
After Mandarin took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, defensive end Tyler Berrong got the Hawks on the board when the 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore took an interception 50 yards for a score with 8:52 left in the first half. Spruce Creek took its first lead on its next drive on a one-yard run by Hayden Flood.
However, leading by a touchdown in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, Mandarin scored on a long touchdown pass to even the score 21-21 with 1:14 remaining in the final frame.
Both teams scored in the first overtime, and running back Jacquez Lord opened up the scoring in double overtime for the Hawks. And after stopping the Mustangs on a 4th-and-goal from the 15-yard line, the long night was finally over.
The Hawks will play University at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Spruce Creek High School for their final game of the regular season.
Head coach Kendall Bradley and the Atlantic Sharks (0-9) are still looking for their first win of the season, and after the Sharks' 54-16 loss to Mount Dora, the possibility of a winless season is becoming very likely.
The Sharks have just two games left before the end of the 2017 season. Up next, Atlantic takes on Melbourne Central Catholic at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Spruce Creek High School.
