Southeast Looks to Avenge Last Year

MANATEE--The Southeast Seminoles have waited an entire year for Friday night’s first round playoff game against Lake Wales. One year ago, the Highlanders came into Kiker Stadium and knocked the ÔNoles out of the playoffs. This year, Paul Maechtle’s team wants to return the favor.

The Seminoles lost a heartbreaker to Lake Wales in the first round of playoffs in 2009 in double overtime, when Highlanders kicker Marcelo Bonani tied the game with a 34-yard field in the final seconds and then won it with a 23 yarder in the second extra session. Lake Wales went on to defeat Braden River in the next round before losing in the state semifinals to Miami’s Belen Jesuit.

Southeast takes on Lake Wales Friday night at Kiker Stadium

The ÔNoles complied a 9-2 record this season going undefeated (4-0) in the district. Southeast’s high powered offense has averaged just under 33 points per game while its defense gave up a stingy 15 points per contest.

Southeast quarterback Dyron Speight has completed 65 percent of his passes this season for 1738 yards and 12 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. The ÔNoles receiving corps is one of the best in the region with Boe Brand, Antonio Ray and Adrian Richard. Brand leads the ÔNoles with 46 receptions for 803 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The Seminoles running attack is fronted by Brian Poole who has rushed for 764 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Calvin Willams, Courtney Allen and a transfer from Bradenton Prep, Jared Williams, who ran for 148 yards and two scores last week against Riverview, should all get multiple carries in Friday’s game. 

Lake Wales finished with a 9-1 record and 5-1 in their district. The Highlanders only blemish was a 14-7 loss to Winter Haven on October 22. Coach Rod Shafer has developed a high octane offense which averaged 41 points per game this season.

Quarterback Justin Shafer has thrown for 1755 yards and 16 touchdowns with just one interception in 2010. Javess Blue is Shafer’s go-to guy having caught 35 passes, 7 for touchdowns. Glenn Redding leads the Lake Wales ground attack averaging just under six yards per carry for 629 yards total and 11 touchdowns.

This one sets up as another potential classic at Kiker Stadium on Friday night. If the Seminoles defense lead by Desmond Blue can keep the pressure on the Lake Wales quarterback, Southeast should be able to get by the Highlanders and head to the second round of the playoffs.

The Bradenton Times will cover the Southeast vs. Lake Wales round one playoff game. A live broadcast beginning at 7:25 p.m. can be accessed by clicking here. 

Manatee begins its quest to get back to the Citrus Bowl in December with its first round 5A playoff game at Hawkins Stadium against Northeast St. Petersburg. 4A Palmetto travels to Cape Coral for its first round game. 3A Braden River is also on the road taking on Winter Haven.