Spruce Creek Holds Off Late Seabreeze Rally

PORT ORANGE — Spruce Creek jumped out to a 22-0 lead midway through the second quarter, but had to survive a second half rally by Seabreeze to hold on for the victory at Pop Johnson Field.

Kevin Minckler scored on a 39-yard rushing touchdown with 6:54 left to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead. Minckler added a 23-yard scoring run with 10:26 left in the first half and after a two point conversion, Spruce Creek was ahead 15-0.

Sam Rizzo’s 4-yard touchdown run at the 7:09 mark of the second quarter gave the Hawks a 22-0 lead and it seemed as if they would cruise to victory, but Seabreeze had other plans.

Seabreeze got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter when Toma Pouncey Jr. scored on a 7-yard run which cut the lead to 22-7, which was the score at halftime.

Spruce Creek kicker Aiden Lanier nailed a 27-yard field goal to increase the lead to 25-7 with 8:39 left in the third quarter.

Seabreeze’s Pouncey Jr. fumbled the ball in the open field and it was picked up by Tayshawn Gallery and he advanced the ball for a score which cut the lead to 25-14 with 3:24 left in the third quarter.

Pouncey Jr. scored on an 11-yard run with 8:48 left in the game, but the two point conversion was no good and the Sandcrabs still trailed 25-20.

Kevin Minckler’s third touchdown run with 3:01 left in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach and gave the Hawks a 32-20 win.

Next week Spruce Creek (1-0) will host Jacksonville Mandarin (0-1) and Seabreeze (0-1) will travel to take on Ocala Forest (0-1).