Coach Karl Calhoun Jr. said he wanted his team to make a statement as they entered district play. Seminole did exactly that, as J’len Chaplin scored four touchdowns in a 43-21 win Friday over previously undefeated Lake Brantley.
“We wanted to come out and establish the run game. We’ve found our identity — we want to run the ball and be physical up front,” Calhoun said. “We have terrific backs and a terrific offensive line. We want to use that to establish our will, and we did that tonight.”
Down 7-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter, Chaplin scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 1-yard run up the middle. From there, the rout was on. The host Seminoles took a 14-7 lead before a 30-minute weather delay with 8:45 left in the half.
Seminole didn’t miss a beat, pushing the lead to 28-7 by halftime.
One of the biggest questions entering the district opener was how the Seminole defense would respond to Brantley quarterback Jackson Stecher, who had thrown for more than 1,100 yards in four games this season with only three incompletions.
Seven sacks — led by senior Milton Roebuck’s three — and three interceptions provided the answer.
“We wanted to keep the pressure on him and give him some different looks,” Calhoun said. “He made some great throws, but the defense came through when they needed to.”
Chaplin finished with 165 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and a passing touchdown. He went 8-for-10 through the air for 205 yards. Anthony Gay III was his top target with 120 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.
The Seminoles are off Oct. 3 before a road game against rival Lake Mary on Oct. 10.
