LAKELAND, Fla.—A new season starts today as the Fire football team hosts Webber International for its Sun Conference opener.
The defending conference champions are back on the field after last week's scheduled conference opener was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Southeastern is looking to shake off a 34-14 loss at St. Thomas in its previous game back on September 24
th in Miami Gardens and are taking the field at home for the first time since September 10
th.
Southeastern and Webber International have played every year the Fire have had a team, dating back to 2014 when the two campuses separated by less than 35 miles first met in Lake Wales in a game that determined the first Sun Conference championship in football.
The Fire come into the game receiving votes in the NAIA FirstDown Playbook Coaches' Top 25 with a 4-1 record on the season. Offensively, the Fire are averaging 32.3 points per game with both the run and pass ranking among the top 20 nationally per attempt. Southeastern's 14.5 yards per completion ranks 18
th nationally and the five yards per carry is 13
th in the NAIA.
Graduate transfer quarterback
Kaylan Wiggins is a key component of both of those numbers. The Sanford native has completed 52% of his passes for 773 yards with five touchdowns and has rushed for 305 yards and five more scores.
Shane McLaughlin has emerged as the top receiver with 15 catches for 353 yards and two touchdowns, averaging better than 88 yards per game.
The special teams have been solid as well with
Logan Gregory averaging 39.5 yards per punt with seven landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Ashton Garner has made five field goals and all 16 of his extra points this season.
Defensively, the Fire are 30
th nationally in points allowed per game at 18.5.
Marc Viechec leads the team in tackles with 33, which includes 2.5 for loss and has been part of two sacks this year. The junior has also recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.
Ryan Cunningham has posted 27 tackles and three breakups in the secondary and
Joseph Bonga has added three pass breakups as well.
The Webber International schedule has seen a fair share of disruptions as well with the Warriors coming in 2-1 but have not played a countable game on the field since September 3
rd. Quarterback Cody Braden has thrown for five touchdowns and has yet to be intercepted in 42 attempts. On the ground, Terry Weems Jr. is averaging 11.5 yards per carry with three touchdowns in 13 attempts.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Victory Field. Tickets are available at
fire.seu.edu/tickets. Southeastern University is also collecting non-perishable food items for residents of Southwest Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. With a donation on game day, tickets can be purchased for the discounted advance price.
