3 takeaways: University ends 6-year losing skid to Spruce Creek in district football clash

ORANGE CITY — In order to capture a first district football championship, University knew it would require winning a pair of "get-back games." The Titans moved closer to the elusive goal Friday night, toppling Spruce Creek to end a six-year losing streak.

Malachi Walters and Jermane Hayes linked up twice in the second half for touchdowns as the host Titans pulled away for a 22-12 victory. University (7-0) can clinch the title and an automatic berth into the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 4S playoffs by defeating DeLand next Friday.

"I don't got the words for it," University junior defensive back Jaay-R Cook said. "A lot of family and friends have been hurt playing Spruce (Creek) a couple years ago. To get that get-back for them and tell them that we won, something they couldn't do, it feels amazing."

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Spruce Creek drops to 5-3 and is mathematically eliminated from the District 9-4S picture. However, the Hawks could still secure a regional wild card if they can rebound with victories against New Smyrna Beach and Hagerty to close the campaign.

"Both DeLand and University are going to get in some way. We just need the last two," Hawks coach Andy Price said. "If we win one of the last two, I don't know that we get in. I think we need to win seven."

University survives 3 uncharacteristic, first-half turnovers

Spruce Creek's stingy defense held the early advantage in the chess match against University's potent offense, forcing three turnovers in the first half including one on each of the Titans' two opening possessions.

Andrew Halleran stripped Hayes as he tried to extend a gain through the air and landed on the ball before it bounced out of bounds. Moments later, after a Hawks punt, Truth Hill intercepted Walters' deep throw along the left sideline intended for Hayes.

Cook stemmed the Spruce Creek tide after scooping an errant snap and returning it toward midfield. University drew first blood on the ensuing drive as Walters connected with Isaiah Baker for a 34-yard touchdown pass on third-and-23.

University squandered another glorious scoring opportunity in the second quarter when Derry Norris punched the ball loose from Beechie Morris inside the Hawks' 10, and Kamron Chamble recovered. But the Titans put another two points on the board as another bad snap rolled through the back of the end zone.

"We talk about it being a team game, and there have been so many games where the offense has carried the weight while the defense sorted it out," University coach Justin Roberts said. "It was kind of cool for the defense to take its turn at it."

Entering the night, University turned the ball over just three times in its previous six games. Spruce Creek, to its credit, generated 13 takeaways in its seven outings.

Luke Smith plays through shoulder injury, Cameron Oxendine returns

Spruce Creek senior quarterback Luke Smith gutted through a preexisting shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for a decent chunk of the first half. Cameron Oxendine, who returned Friday after a six-game absence due to a broken collarbone, filled in behind center.

Smith gave the Hawks a lift near the end of the third quarter, hitting Tony Kinsler for the Hawks' longest play from scrimmage — a 42-yard completion. Kinsler polished off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to pull Creek within 15-6, but an unsuccessful PAT still left it two scores down.

Spruce Creek cut the deficit to 10 again with 3:22 left when Smith scrambled and lofted an 18-yard pass to Oxendine.

"It would have been nice to play (University) with (Smith) healthy. I knew he was going to play, and I thought he'd be able to do what he did in the second half the whole game," Price said. "But what it was the first half, he just thought it felt off."

Demontay Johnson provides second-half boost for University

University's running back roulette landed on 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior Demontay Johnson for a couple of key plays to set the second-half tone.

With the Titans' first play from scrimmage out of the break, Johnson found space between blockers on the right side and sprinted down the sideline for 43 yards into Creek territory. Two snaps later, Walters delivered a 25-yard touchdown to Hayes at the post.

In the fourth quarter, as University tried to bleed clock and add an insurance score, Johnson caught a screen pass and raced 26 yards across midfield. Anthony May moved the chains twice more, and Walters effectively put the outcome beyond reach with an 13-yard TD toss to Hayes on fourth down with just over four minutes left.

"When your number's called, you make a play — and you make a big play," Johnson said. "You don't back down from the competition."

Last October, Johnson helped DeLand to a 50-0 victory over University with 54 scrimmage yards and a touchdown just before halftime. This year, he will try to help the Titans flip the script and make history.

"I think I'm emotionally prepared. It's a football game, and you've got to do what you've got to do," Johnson said. "At the end of the day, I play for University, and I play for my team and I play for the name on (the front of) my jersey.

"Playing DeLand, I am playing a lot of my brothers. It's going to be a lot of trash-talking, a lot of chit-chat going on during the game. But we'll handle it well, and we'll come out with the W."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: University outlasts Spruce Creek | 3 takeaways