Southeast Seminoles Defeat Riverview Rams 37-21

BRADENTON--The Southeast Seminoles tuned up for the playoffs with a convincing 37-21 victory over 5A Riverview Friday night at John Kiker Memorial Stadium in Bradenton. Jared Williams rushed for 148 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 'Noles sixth win in a row as they get ready to face Lake Wales at home in the first round of the playoffs next Friday.

Jared Williams transferred to Southeast (8-2, 4-0) from the now defunct Bradenton Prep and made an immediate impact on the ÔNoles ground game with touchdowns runs of three and two yards as Southeast racked up 236 total yards rushing in the game.

Southeast Seminoles heading to the playoffs

Riverview (6-4, 1-3) made two big mistakes in the kicking game which cost them two touchdowns. A bad snap on a Dan Grochowski 33-yard field goal attempt midway through the first quarter was scooped up by Calvin Williams who rumbled 55 yards for the Seminoles first touchdown of the contest. In the second quarter, Desmond Blue blocked Grochowski’s punt and took it in from 25 yards to put Southeast ahead 27-14.

Riverview’s standout running back Johnny Evans, who came into the game needing just 67 yards to reach the 1000 plateau, was hampered by a sore shoulder and saw limited action. Tyler Payne stepped up for the Rams, running for 118 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 13 carries. Payne’s second score pulled the Rams to within six points late in the third quarter, but his fumble in the fourth quarter led to a Dustin Clark 27 yard field goal to widen the gap to 30-21. Freshman running back Courtney Allen added a final touchdown with 7:25 remaining in the game to give the ÔNoles a 37-21 margin.

Southeast’s defense held Riverview quarterback Tater Williams to just 7 completions in 21 passing attempts for 69 yards and no touchdowns. ÔNoles quarterback Dyron Speight connected on 9 of 22 attempts for 131 yards and no TD’s.

Southeast will take on Lake Wales next Friday in the regional quarterfinals at home. Last year the Highlanders defeated the Seminoles 30-27 at Kiker Stadium to knock Southeast out of the playoffs. Click here for the post game recap from last year’s game.

The Bradenton Times post game recap from the Southeast Seminole press box is posted below.