No. 13 - SPRUCE CREEK HAWKS
2016: 7-4, lost to Lake Brantley 28-20 in 8A Region Quarterfinals
Head Coach: Andy Price, 5th year (23-18)
Key Returners: QB Kyle Minckler, RB Hayden Flood, DB Jhemez Hull, LB Tyler Berrong, LB/DL Daniel Diacont
The Scoop: Spruce Creek is coming off its first district title since 2008 and first playoff appearance since Price became the head coach. Graduation decimated the Hawks defense, which allowed just 13.5 points per game last year. With quarterback Kyle Minckler entering his third year as a starter, expectations are high for Spruce Creek’s offense. Hayden Flood, who possesses exceptional hands and strength, is the leader of the wide receiver corps. Spruce Creek won four 7-on-7 tournaments during the summer, including the Florida High School 7-on-7 state championship. The victories bolstered the confidence of the Hawks going into the fall. Sophomore Tyler Berrong picked up offers from Florida and North Carolina in the summer and is one of the area’s most recruited players in the Class of 2020. His presence will be critical for a defense that is replacing nine starters. The Hawks will likely be favored in their first three regular season games, all of which are at home, before the district opener at Jacksonville Sandalwood on Sept. 15. Sandalwood handed Spruce Creek it’s lone district loss last season. The Hawks have the challenge of traveling for three of their four district games, including two trips to Jacksonville.
Quotable: “I think he’s the best quarterback in the area, personally, I really do. I think he’s got the most experience and he understands the game the best of anyone I know locally.” – Price on Minckler.
2017 Schedule
8/25 vs. Seabreeze
9/1 vs. Atlantic
9/8 vs. Matanzas
9/15 @ Jacksonville Sandalwood*
9/22 @ Haines City
9/29 @ DeLand*
10/13 vs. Flagler Palm Coast*
10/20 @ Jacksonville Mandarin*
10/27 vs. Orange City University
11/3 @ New Smyrna Beach
*8A, District 1 game