Football Completes Sun Conference Era in Historic Way

Resiliency was the big theme of the 2016 Southeastern football season.
 
A team that had to wait out nearly seven hours of lightning, insect, and power failure delays over 10 games and earned its second Sun Conference title, and first NAIA Football Championship Series appearance.
 
That theme was never more evident than in the conference opener at home against Warner. Mother nature prevented the game from kicking off until nearly a quarter to 10 p.m. Eastern. Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, the Fire fought back to score 13 straight points to take a 20-17 third quarter lead.
 
A 42-yard Caleb Winter field goal with just under two minutes to go gave the hosts a 37-31 lead, and forced the Royals to find the end zone on their final drive. They were able to do just that as DJ Davis found Imari Price from 34 yards out to tie the game with 59 seconds left.
 
Refusing to accept being down in the last minute of play, All-Conference cornerback Mark Myers raced in and blocked the extra point, giving the Fire a chance to win the game in regulation.
 
It wasn't quite meant to be as a 29-yard field goal sailed wide, sending the game to overtime. Both teams found the end zone in the first overtime, and failed to score in the second, forcing a third extra period.
 
A Jarrell Reynolds touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion gave the Fire the upper hand in the third OT.
 
Just before 1:30 Sunday morning, an interception by Tyson Kee in the end zone preserved victory.
 
To open the season, the Fire earned their first win over a ranked team in program history, going to Montgomery and knocking off preseason No. 19 Faulkner 10-6 in a defensive struggle. That game spring boarded the Fire defense in being a key component to the success of the team.
 
The Fire held down one of the most potent offenses in the NAIA from a year ago to -1 rushing yard and 352 total yards. They also came up with five takeaways on the night.
 
Southeastern ended up third in the NAIA in rushing defense, holding teams to an average of just 87.6 yards per game, and ninth in total defense at 304.1 yards and 18.8 points per game.
 
In conference play, the Fire cruised to a 5-0 record, outscoring opponents 234-70, with 44 coming in the triple overtime game against the Royals.
 
A Homecoming shutout of Point set up a chance for the Fire to avenge a seven-point shortcoming in 2014 in Lake Wales to Webber International to close out the final season of Sun Conference play with an undefeated league title.
 
The Fire were able to flip the script from that first meeting, using a power run game to gain 330 yards on the ground and a stifling defensive effort to limit the Warriors to just 150 total yards to win a 24-0 decision.
 
Following the win, the Fire jumped up to 14^th in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25, securing the highest ranking in program history.
 
Unfortunately, in the season finale, the Fire squandered a 10-0 halftime lead, and dropped a 17-14 game to Valley City State, putting a postseason appearance in jeopardy.
 
When the final poll was released days later, the Fire were 20^th, qualifying them for postseason play for the first time in program history.
 
Southeastern traveled to Waleska, Georgia to take on third-ranked Reinhardt in the first round of the tournament. In the span of a minute and 15 seconds, the Fire trailed 24-0 due to a fumble on a kick return and an interception, which both resulted in touchdowns.
 
Remember the theme?
 
With 17 seconds left in the third quarter, the Fire got within eight when Railond Garrett found Michael Wheary from 14 yards out for a touchdown, then found Matthew Craig for a two-point conversion, making the score 30-22.
 
The Eagles answered right back with a 75-yard touchdown run on the next play, starting a 22-point run to win 52-22. The season ended with a 7-3 record.
 
For the second time in three years, Jarrell Reynolds was named The Sun Conference Player of the Year, rushing for 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Ave Maria, the redshirt junior became the first player in program history to amass 3,000 career rushing yards.
 
Additionally, coach Keith Barefield was named Coach of the Year for his efforts in leading the Fire to the playoffs in just the third season of play.
 
Earning First Team All-Sun Conference honors were offensive linemen Jordan Heldreth and Cody McGahee, along with Reynolds, tight end Matthew Craig, receiver Michael Wheary, defensive lineman David Green, Myers, Kee, and Winter.
 
Second Team honors went to quarterback Jonathan Pearce, defensive lineman Blade Denmark, linebackers Josh Schulte and Will Tillo, and return man Marque Northington.
 
The Fire also led the league for a third straight year with a record 10 Academic All-Conference selections as well.
 
Southeastern was ranked 18^th in the final coaches' poll of the season.
 
In 2017, the Fire will move to the largest college football conference in the nation, joining the Sun Division of the Mid-South Conference. The schedule will feature former top-ranked teams, and programs that have made multiple playoff appearances.