MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—The Fire moved to 2-0 on the season with a 60-20 win at St. Thomas in a game that featured the second highest temperature at kickoff in program history.
Southeastern had to battle through an 86 degree day, with a heat index flirting with triple digits and an improved Bobcats squad, which started their second season this afternoon.
"The biggest positive today was playing in the heat on the turf in Miami against a team that was fighting, our guys battled," said Coach
Cesar Rivas-Sandoval. "We shot ourselves in the foot numerous times and didn't play very disciplined football at times, but what I enjoyed seeing was us battle back after putting ourselves in bad spots."
Once again, the Fire offense collected over 500 yards getting 355 from the right shoulder of junior quarterback
Cooper Jones who registered his seventh 300-yard game in 14 starts. Miami-native
Eugene Witherspoon had 112 yards on just four catches, taking two in for scores. The junior had a 50-yard TD reception with 6:51 left in the second, and added a 10-yard strike with 1:27 left in the third.
"It felt good being back home despite the heat," said Witherspoon. "My guys needed me to step up this year and make plays whether it was a short route or a deep ball."
Myles Henderson had a team best six catches, and recorded 97 yards with touchdowns of 35 and 12 yards.
The ground game added 201 yards with
Deshawn Brown rushing for 83 on 10 carries, which included a 40-yard touchdown run.
Bryan Bell added 86 yards on 11 totes with touchdowns runs of 1, 2, and 10 yards.
"With us three, it gives us breathers as backs when we're tired because we're a downhill team," said Bell. "Our offensive line blocked their tails off today, they were in chemistry."
On special teams,
Jonah Paulsgrove added field goals of 30 and 29 yards and dialed in six extra points. He also averaged 37.5 yards on his four punts.
The defense got big plays from sophomore linemen
Curtis Williams and
Loobert Denelus, who had five and six tackles, respectively. Williams had two tackles for loss and a sack, and Denelus added 1.5 tackles for loss.
Cory Rahman added four tackles and his 11
th career interception.
The Fire return to action at Victory Field on October 3
rd to open Sun Division play against Webber International.
