Fire Return to NAIA FCS, Host Reinhardt at Victory Field

LAKELAND, Fla. -- For the first time since 2017—and for the first time ever at Victory Field—No. 15 Southeastern returns to the NAIA Football Championship Series, hosting No. 19 Reinhardt on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Lakeland. The Fire enter the postseason at 8–2 overall and 5–2 in Sun Conference play, while the Eagles arrive 7–3 after an undefeated run through the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
 
Southeastern's identity all season has been its elite defense. The Fire allow just 14.1 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the NAIA, and hold opponents to 262.3 total yards per contest, ranking sixth nationally. SEU is top-15 in both rushing defense (89.1 ypg) and passing defense (173.2 ypg), forming one of the country's most balanced units.

Offensively, the Fire average 33.5 points per game and produce 193.6 rushing yards per outing, the 16th-best total in the NAIA. Southeastern has scored 30-plus points six times this season and is 4–1 at home entering its postseason debut at Victory Field.

Reinhardt brings a powerful rushing identity of its own, averaging 300.7 yards on the ground, the third-highest in the nation. The Eagles score 41.4 points per game and enter the playoffs on a six-game winning streak.

The winner advances to next weekend's NAIA FCS Quarterfinals.

Fans can watch on the Sun Digital Network via Smart TV App or TheSunDigitalNetwork.com. Live stats at fire.seu.edu/fbstats.

FIRE IN THE FCS
Southeastern enters the 2025 NAIA Football Championship Series making its third postseason appearance and its first since 2017. The Fire previously reached the national stage in back-to-back seasons, opening the 2016 playoffs on the road at Reinhardt in a 52–22 loss before traveling to Lindsey Wilson in 2017 and falling 63–49 in another high-scoring matchup. This year marks a milestone for the program as SEU hosts an NAIA postseason game for the first time at Victory Field.

MASTERING THE MIDDLE EIGHT
One of Southeastern's defining advantages this season has come in the "Middle Eight"—the crucial four-minute stretch before halftime and the first four minutes after the break. Few teams in the NAIA have owned that window the way the Fire have. SEU has outscored opponents 120–17 in the Middle Eight this year, consistently turning tight games into multi-score leads with momentum-shifting drives on both sides of the ball. Last week against Ave Maria, the Fire delivered another dominant sequence, producing a 17–0 surge across halftime. 

Remarkably, only two opponents—Florida Memorial and Keiser—have managed to score in that span all season. Over the last six games, Southeastern's control has reached another level, throttling opponents by a combined 83–3 margin in the Middle Eight. That production has reinforced SEU's defensive strength, sparked offensive efficiency, and repeatedly flipped game scripts in the Fire's favor as they enter postseason play.

START FAST, FINISH FASTER
Southeastern has set the tone early in games—and reset it coming out of halftime—thanks to consistently strong first-drive execution on both sides of the ball. The Fire have scored on six of their ten opening possessions, finding the end zone five times and going three-and-out only once all season. Their ability to script effectively and establish rhythm has repeatedly provided early scoring control. SEU has been just as sharp to start the second half, scoring on seven of ten opening third-quarter drives, including five touchdowns, often creating separation in tightly contested games.

Defensively, the Fire have matched that efficiency with disruptive starts. Opponents have scored on just three of ten opening drives, managing only one touchdown, while SEU has forced three punts and created two takeaways. Out of halftime, opponents have again scored three times—with two touchdowns—but SEU has countered with three three-and-outs and two takeaways, continuing momentum-changing sequences on both sides of the ball.

ELITE IN THE RED ZONE
Southeastern has been one of the most efficient red zone teams in the NAIA this season, converting 45 of 50 trips (90%) with 37 touchdowns, a 74% TD rate. The Fire lead the Sun Conference and rank 10th nationally in overall red zone efficiency, while sitting second in the league and 16th in the NAIA in red zone touchdown percentage. SEU has been especially sharp down the stretch, scoring touchdowns on 11 of its last 14 red zone chances as the offense continues to finish drives at a high level.

Defensively, SEU has been equally impressive. Fire opponents have converted just 14 of 20 red zone trips (70%) and have scored touchdowns on only 10 of those opportunities (50%). Southeastern has produced a red zone stop in four of the last seven games, repeatedly turning back scoring threats. Last week, Ave Maria never reached the red zone, becoming the second opponent this season to be kept entirely outside the 20-yard line by the Fire defense.

THE ARMS RACE
Quarterback Nate Mikell has guided the offense with steady production, completing 126 of 212 passes for 1,647 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 264 rushing yards to his total offense. His efficiency in key moments has helped SEU average 182.9 passing yards per game. Backup Zachary Pleuss has provided strong support, throwing for 182 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Together, they've combined for 1,829 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions, giving the Fire a balanced and consistent aerial component. 

GROUND FORCE DOMINANCE
Southeastern's ground game has been the backbone of its offense, averaging 193.6 yards per game behind a deep and productive backfield. Curtis Kimmons leads the way with 742 yards and an NAIA-top-tier 14 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Jocquet Jiles complements him with 520 yards and five touchdowns, providing burst and physicality. Quarterback Nate Mikell adds another dimension with 264 rushing yards, while Connor McCazzio, Nathan Carter, and Z'Orey Cotton combine for more than 390 additional yards and five more scores. Altogether, the Fire have totaled 1,936 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, controlling tempo with consistency. 

PASS CATCHERS WITH POP
SEU's passing attack has leaned on a balanced group of playmakers, with six receivers surpassing 150 yards this season. Joseph Key leads the team with 352 yards and two touchdowns, while Kamonte Grimes has added 319 yards and three scores as a dynamic perimeter threat. Running back/slot hybrid Tre McClellan provides key versatility with 274 yards and three touchdowns, averaging more than 17 yards per catch. David Pomales (254 yds, 2 TD), Alex Reyes (156 yds), Chandler Jones (116 yds, TD), and Daithan Davis (98 yds, 3 TD) give the Fire depth and explosive options across formations. In total, SEU has produced 1,829 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. 

THE TRENCH GANG
Southeastern's offensive consistency starts up front, where a veteran group has powered one of the nation's most efficient run games while protecting the quarterback at a high level. The unit—featuring Sebastian Flamenco, Dendric Reynolds, Dylon Manganelli, Kody Chisholm, Rickenson Jeantihomme, Phillip Jackson, and Xzavier McKinney—has helped SEU average 193.6 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry, while paving the way for 27 rushing touchdowns. In pass protection, the Fire have allowed just 13 sacks in 10 games, ranking among the conference's best. Their physicality and cohesion have enabled SEU to average 376.5 total yards per game and sustain long, efficient scoring drives throughout the season. 

THE DISRUPTION DEPARTMENT
Southeastern's defense is anchored by one of the nation's premier playmakers in Thomas Ibrahim, who enters the postseason ranked second in the NAIA in both tackles for loss (20.5) and sacks (10.0). Ibrahim has totaled 58 tackles and disrupted offenses all season, spearheading a front that holds opponents to just 262.3 yards per game. Linebacker Brady Nowlan leads the team with 64 total tackles, adding 6.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks as a consistent force in the middle. Michyl Shaw (50 tackles), Cole Highsmith (44 tackles, INT), Carlos Gerardino (35 tackles, 6.5 TFLs), and Chris Sharpe (33 tackles, 2.5 sacks) round out a deep, aggressive unit. Altogether, SEU has recorded 69 TFLs and 27 sacks. 

THE BALL-HAWK BRIGADE
Southeastern's secondary has been opportunistic, collecting 12 interceptions across 10 games. Jamil Jones leads the team with three picks, adding 36 return yards, while corner Cliff Bridges has two interceptions, including a 32-yard pick-six. Safeties Joe Gardner and Willie Hill each have two, combining for strong support in deep coverage. Ian Jolly, Cole Highsmith, and Joshua Wilson Jr. add one interception apiece, rounding out a disciplined back end. Their consistency has helped SEU rank among the national leaders in pass defense at 173.2 yards allowed per game. 

THE SPECIALISTS
SEU's special teams have provided steady production across all phases. Kicker Joel McGrath has connected on 11 of 17 field goals, including six from inside 30 yards and three from beyond 40, while adding 34 PATs for a team-high 67 points. The return game features explosive options: Tre McClellan averages 27.7 yards per kickoff return, and Jocquet Jiles owns a 50-yard return. Punt returner Jamil Jones adds field-flipping impact with 173 yards on 13 returns. In coverage, the Fire allow just 21.0 yards per kickoff return and have surrendered zero return touchdowns while maintaining strong field position margins.

SECOND ROUND PROCEDURES
The NAIA will announce the Second Round matchups for the NAIA Football Championship Series once all First Round games are completed on Saturday, with the top eight national seeds—Grand View (10-0), Keiser (10-0), Montana Tech (11-0), Friends (11-0), Benedictine (10-1), Marian (10-1), Lindsey Wilson (9-1), and College of Idaho (9-1)—serving as host teams. 

Upon completion of the First Round, all winners will be re-seeded, as the NAIA Championship Series is not a fixed bracket; teams do not automatically advance to face the winner of a corresponding game. Instead, matchups are determined fresh each round based on travel considerations, avoiding repeat matchups, flight requirements, geographic balance, costs, and other logistical factors. Because of this reseeding process, Second Round opponents will not be finalized until every First Round result is in and the NAIA completes its evaluation.