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BRADENTON – Southeast was kept out of the post-season last year, despite having a 7-3 record and coming up short in their only two in-district losses by a combined 5 points against Palmetto and Hardee. The success of the 'Noles was impressive, especially considering they'd lost nearly all of their key starters from 2010 and were playing with a very young team. This season, they return several key starters who've gained the sort of experience that should bode well for their playoff chances.
It seems that Head Coach Paul Maechtle is destined to be cursed with a perpetual lack of depth, while being blessed with a steady supply of extraordinary talent. As a result, he's started more freshman and sophomores who developed into superstars over three or four years on a varsity field, like Boe Brand, Dyron Speight and Jonathon Dowling to name only a recent few – Brand and Dowling are both slated to start for Western Kentucky this season. This year, some of Maechtle's best players are once again underclassman.
Sophomore sensation Courtney Allen was in contention for the county rushing title last season until he was sidelined by an injury, while first-year QB Myles Braxton-Johnson surprised everyone as one of the most poised and accurate passers in the region. Now a senior, Johnson will look to connect with junior WR Bobby Haines, who also had a breakout year in 2011. Huge two-way lineman Kevin Williams (Senior, 6'4 320) is also back to sure up the fronts on both sides of the ball.
The 'Noles head to Ft. Myers for a pre-season Kickoff Classic tonight and then open the regular season with Largo next Friday. Aside from their rivalry game with Manatee in week 5, Southeast will have a pretty smooth schedule that all comes down to the final two weeks when they face district rivals Palmetto and Hardee in games that will in all likelihood determine the playoff picture for the three teams. The 'Noles should easily manage a record of 8-2 or better, followed by a playoff berth, though that still might leave them as the third best team in a talent-rich Manatee County.
2012 Schedule
08/24 7:30 PM @ Ft Myers (Exhibition) (L 23-22)
08/31 TBA @ Largo (L 15-14)
09/07 7:30 PM Lakewood Ranch (W 12-7)
09/14 7:30 PM Booker (W 42-6)
09/21 7:30 PM @ Sarasota (W 43-31)
09/28 7:30 PM Manatee (L 52-12)
10/05 7:00 PM @ DeSoto County (W 23-7)
10/12 7:30 PM Riverview (W 24-20)
10/19 TBA Bayshore (W 25-14)
10/26 7:30 PM Hardee (W 44-10)
11/02 7:30 PM @ Palmetto
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