WALESKA, Ga. — No.15 Southeastern Fire continued its strong start to the 2026 season Saturday night, controlling the game from the opening quarter and cruising to a 33-7 victory over #23 Reinhardt at Ken White Field.
The Fire improved to 2-0 on the season with a balanced performance on both sides of the football, piling up 461 yards of total offense while holding Reinhardt to 228 yards. Southeastern scored in each of the first two quarters before adding 10 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Southeastern wasted little time establishing control. After opening the game with a 67-yard scoring drive that ended with Joel McGrath connecting on a 22-yard field goal, Jermaine Tyler Jr would intercept Armar Gordon's pass to set the offense up at the Reinhardt 41 yard line.
Zach Pluess found running back Connor McCazzio for an 18-yard gain on 3rd & 16 to set SEU up on the one-yard line. McCazzio powered into the end zone on the next play to cap a 41-yard drive.
The following Eagle drive was stuffed on fourth down when Brady Nowlan and Ian Jolley met the running back at the line of scrimmage. Pleuss followed with a big-play connection to wide receiver Judah Avery, who hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass to push the Fire's advantage to 17-0.
Pleuss continued to direct an efficient Southeastern passing attack throughout the first half. The quarterback completed 20 of 28 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with multiple targets while repeatedly creating explosive plays through the air.
The Fire added another touchdown midway through the second quarter when Pleuss found Rick Penick for a 25-yard scoring strike. Reinhardt's lone score came with one minute remaining in the first half, when quarterback Armar Gordon connected with Cam Curtis for a 62-yard touchdown.
Southeastern entered halftime with a commanding 23-7 advantage. Despite the Eagles' late first-half response, Southeastern's defense continued to dictate the game.
After a scoreless third quarter, Southeastern put the game firmly out of reach in the fourth. Ricknomar Campos and Carter Dalton stone-walled Reinhardt's running back on fourth and goal from the two yard line.
McGrath connected on a 38-yard field goal with 3:16 remaining, giving the Fire a 26-7 cushion, before Colton Dempsey broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run with 1:30 remaining to put the finishing touches on the 33-7 victory.
Dempsey finished with 71 rushing yards on six carries, including the late touchdown, while McCazzio added 24 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight attempts.
The Fire's offense finished with 461 total yards, including 333 through the air and 128 on the ground. Southeastern also converted 6-of-14 third-down opportunities and controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes.
Avery was the standout receiver, finishing with 113 yards and a touchdown on four receptions, including the 67-yard score. Penick added 25 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Christopher Sell recorded 46 yards on three receptions.
The Fire forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by Jermaine Tyler Jr. Joshua Wilson Jr. led the Fire with 15 tackles, while the Southeastern defense also registered two sacks and eight tackles for loss.
The victory moves Southeastern to 2-0 on the young season, while Reinhardt falls to 0-3.
