Sandalwood HS- After checking out Spruce Creek in the referee scrimmage a week prior, the scouting report was out on the Hawks from Port Orange. They were big up front, led by 6’6 ,350lb , Jayson Edwards #77 and 6’5 , 315 lbs Colin King #55. Their beefy offensive line allowed for them to control the clock in the run game, and control the tempo early on in Thursday’s jamboree with Sandalwood and Terry Parker.
With a little over 7:10 to play , Spruce Creek quarterback Damarcus Creecy hit running back #12 Kevin Minkler on a swing pass out the back field for the games first score. Spruce led Terry Parker 7-0. A field goal would give the Hawks a 10-0 advantage late in the first quarter.
Finally in the second, Terry Parker began to exploit their mismatches. The biggest was their big play receivers and height advantage. Quickly they made them pay when quarterback 2024 Jaylen Pettway hit Thomas Smith for a 65-yard catch and run. Smith made two defenders miss and raced down the side-line for the score.
Trailing 10-7, Parker’s defense needed to step up and they did so in the form of safety Damani Dent. Dent has several D1 offers including recently gaining one from Michigan. He showed why he’s a momentum changer laying a big hit from his safety position to force a 4th down and punt.
On the ensuing drive, quarterback Roman Doles would get into the action, this time hitting Smith again for another touchdown. Smith’s second score of the night.
At the end of the half, Terry Parker had scored 14 unanswered points, exploiting the Spruce Creek secondary and leading 14-10. 2023 QB Roman Doles tossed a touchdown, and 2024 QB Jaylon Pettway tossed a touchdown as well.
Wide Receivers David Hamilton III and Tyrek Williams both moved the chains on drives. The Braves were able to capitalize in the passing game as five different receivers touched the ball in the half.
