Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.- The Southeastern offense is the eighth-highest scoring in NAIA college football, but it was the defense that helped Southeastern (5-2) pick up a 47-10 win over Point on Homecoming.
The Skyhawks (0-8) only had 340 yards of total offense, most of which came later in the game. Southeastern's defense recorded a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss.
"Our defense rose to the occasion tonight," said Coach Keith Barefield. "They got the ball back for our offense, and forced four turnovers."
After the defense forced a 3-and-out to open the game, the offense put together an 8-play, 64-yard scoring drive, culminating in a six yard touchdown run by Jarrell Reynolds. Early in the second quarter, the defense picked up a score, tackling Point running back Donald Hall in the endzone for a safety to take a 9-0 lead.
Reynolds picked up his second score of the night on a three yard run with 10:35 left in the second quarter. He added two one-yard scoring runs, and a 16-yard run to finish with 131 yards and five touchdowns.
"Once Jarrell gets past the offensive line and starts weaving his way through the defense, you see the ability that he has," said Barefield.
Quarterback Jonathan Pearce closed the first half with a five yard touchdown pass to Steven Williams to put the Fire up 23-0 at the break.
The Skyhawks got their first score of the game with 1:56 left in the third quarter on a 51-yard pass play up the middle on 4th-and-1, to make it 37-7.
In the fourth quarter, the Fire added a field goal from freshman Caleb Winter from 44 yards out to take a 47-7 advantage. The Skyhawks answered with a field goal with 7:28 to go from 36 yards out.
Pearce finished the night 18-of-25 for 159 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 56 yards. Dakota Duron was the leading receiver, making five catches for 33 yards. Williams added four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Fire will travel to Webber International next week, with the winner claiming The Sun Conference title outright.
