LAKELAND, Fla.—It only took two years for the Southeastern University football team to win a Sun Conference Championship.
Following the 2015 season, the NAIA ruled that Point University had used an ineligible player, thus having to forfeit three wins. This included a game against Southeastern, giving the Fire a 5-0 record in conference play and the conference title.
"The key to any successful program is people; talented people who are functioning in the right positions with proper leadership," said Barefield of the early success the Fire have enjoyed. "That is what we have at Southeastern, from our players, to our coaching staff, right on through the leadership of the University. We are blessed with great people up and down the line with a vision and passion for success."
The 2016 season brings the final year of football in The Sun Conference. The six football members of the league will join the Mid-South Conference in 2017, creating the largest college football conference at any level.
Expectations are high this season, as the Fire were selected as the preseason favorite in The Sun Conference Coaches' Poll, voted on by the league's head coaches.
The season begins on Thursday in Montgomery, Alabama against No. 19 Faulkner.
On offense, 12 players with significant starting experience return to a unit that ranked fourth in the NAIA in scoring last season. It starts on the line with all five starting linemen back, as well as two others that started. Center
Forrest Garner and right guard
Cody McGahee both earned Second Team All-Sun Conference recognition last season. The offensive line gave up just 11 sacks in eight games last season.
"(The offensive line) is a group that has worked together now for two competitive seasons, and it would be three if you count our practice year in 2013," said Barefield. "Everything starts with those guys up front. Behind them, we have a talented group of experienced skill players as well."
That group of skill players includes two-time All-Conference running back
Jarrell Reynolds. The Quincy, Florida native averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season, totaling 1,016 yards and 12 touchdowns. Reynolds ranked 15
th in the NAIA in all-purpose yards per game at 147.6 last season.
The passing game returns the services of wide receiver
Michael Wheary, who had 35 catches for 707 yards last year. This included a Sun Conference record 10 catches for 245 yards in his first game against Faulkner.
The Fire return three quarterbacks that saw action during the 2015 season in
Jonathan Pearce,
Railond Garrett, and
Jacob Carter. Pearce was an All-Sun Conference selection in 2014, but missed most of 2015 with injuries. In Pearce's absence, Garrett passed for 1,225 yards and 12 touchdowns. Carter saw action in five games, completing nine passes for 133 yards, and rushed for an additional 49.
The defense made great strides in 2015, ranking 21
st in the NAIA in scoring (22.6) and yards allowed per game (341.8). New defensive coordinator
Chad Adams will have eight starters returning from that group.
"Last season the defense served as the catalyst of our team, and I see no reason for that to change in 2016," said Barefield. "They are another year older and experienced."
Robert Greathouse,
David Green,
Jason Shepherd, and
Blade Denmark chased quarterbacks around quite frequently last season, and all return to the mix in 2016. That group helped SEU record a total of 25 sacks last season. Greathouse finished third in the conference in tackles for loss with 12, totaling 50 tackles, earning Second Team All-Sun Conference recognition.
The Fire also return The Sun Conference leader in tackles in junior linebacker
Will Tillo. As a sophomore, Tillo averaged 10.3 tackles per game, totaling 82. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Mark Myers returns at cornerback, following an All-Sun Conference season with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He was also the conference leader in punt return yards with 250, averaging 19.2 yards per return. Junior
Collin Thomas and senior Elijah McClendon both return at safety.
The kicking game is in good hands once again with
Caleb Winter back to handle the kicking and punting duties. Winter averaged 39 yards per punt, placing 13 inside the 20, and hitting three greater than 50 yards.
"We will be successful if we focus on getting better each practice, day and week and not get distracted along the way," said Barefield.
