Game Day: Football Turning to Experienced Lineup for Success in 2021

Fire Football at Faulkner
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LAKELAND, Fla.—The Fire are back in action with a full schedule which starts Saturday evening in Montgomery, Ala. against Faulkner University.
 
Southeastern went 5-1 during an abbreviated 2020 season and did not leave the state of Florida once. The lone blemish was by a mere three points to a team that played in the national semifinal.
 
From that group, 16 starters return with high expectations starting the season ranked 22^nd in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25.
 
"What excites me is our level of energy and enthusiasm and how they attack each day to try to get better," said Cesar Rivas-Sandoval who begins his second season on the sidelines for the Fire.
 
On offense, two-time reigning Craig Mullins Mid-South Sun Division Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Jones returns with a chance to hold all SEU passing records by the time his career ends. The senior has completed nearly 60% of his career attempts for 4,667 yards and 51 touchdowns over 21 games.
 
Wendell Harris and Myles Henderson are the top returning receivers, accounting for 572 receiving yards and eight touchdowns between them last year on 31 receptions. All-Sun Division tight end Iyan Hinkle also is back.
 
The ground game is also in good shape with its top three rushers from last year back in the fold with three-time all-conference back Bryan Bell, all-conference back Lorine Parker as well as Deshawn Brown. Each averaged over five yards per carry.
 
Up front, four-year starter Scott Carman is back at center and is joined by veterans Ray Lewis, Zack Williams, Cody Rand, and Mitchell Green that all started last year.
 
"I think our strength right now is up front on both sides of the football," said Rivas.
 
The defense, which was one of the best in the NAIA last season will have some key elements back including first-team all-conference selections Marc Viechec at linebacker and Khalid Scott at strong safety. Returning second-team selections include defensive tackle D.Q. Bailey, and end Trenton Surloff.   
 
Scott is the top returning tackler, making 25 total stops including 6.5 for loss last season. Viechec added 23 with three for loss.
 
Curtis Williams who was an all-conference pick as a freshman also returns to the interior of the line, and the Fire will also have the services of veterans Jake Shultz and Isiah Thornton back. Williams was tied for third on the team in tackles in 2020 with 25 and had four for loss with 2.5 sacks. Senior Carlos Burke is back at linebacker as well after making 11 tackles, one for loss, and recovering a fumble last season.
 
In the secondary, Aaron Walton steps in at free safety after seeing significant playing time as a true freshman last year with 21 tackles. Cornerback Joseph Bonga returns after seeing time as a true freshman last year. 
 
Senior punter Jonah Paulsgrove is back to lead the special teams after averaging 37.5 yards per punt last season. As a team, the Fire averaged 19.3 yards per kick return and 7.2 yards per punt return. Henderson, Bell, Harris, and Davonte Bowie were the main returners last year and look to factor in again.
 
"We will be successful if we can stay healthy and develop our roster and be great on special teams," said Rivas.