The Seminoles opened Thursday night with a touchdown on their first play from scrimmage.
But it was a defensive tackle who provided the play that told everyone just how good the night was going to be.
Mason Wills, all 65 yards of him.
The senior defensive tackle intercepted a University pass in the second quarter and rumbled 65 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, sending the Seminole sideline into celebration and turning an already comfortable lead into a rout.
Seminole went on to beat University 42-7 at home, scoring in all three phases and putting together one of its most complete performances of the season.
The Noles wasted little time getting started.
On the first play from scrimmage, a wide-open Cameron Roberts hauled in a pass for an 80-yard touchdown, giving Seminole an immediate 7-0 lead.
The offense would keep producing big plays.
But Wills’ interception return was something different.
With Seminole leading 14-0, University tried to make a play under pressure. Jamarion Coleman got into the backfield, forcing the quarterback to hurry his throw.
Wills was waiting.
He grabbed the interception, cut to his left and suddenly had open field in front of him.
For a player whose primary job is to stop people, Wills showed he can run with the best of them.
“He’s been playing lights out all season. He’s a great kid,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun Jr. said. “He does everything we ask him to.”
Then Calhoun smiled when describing the return.
“Jamarion Coleman came through with a big pressure. Mason grabbed it, and I haven’t seen him run that fast in a long time,” Calhoun said with a laugh.
Wills’ touchdown made it 21-0.
On the very next University possession, Seminole’s special teams joined the party.
A bad snap sailed over the Titans’ punter and into the end zone, where Jackson Robbins recovered for another Seminole touchdown.
Just like that, a 14-0 game had become 28-0.
“When you’re doing those things, you’re going to have a good, successful day,” Calhoun said.
And Seminole kept doing those things.
The Noles finished with 307 yards of total offense, including 225 passing yards, while committing no turnovers.
Daniel Proenza completed 4 of 9 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He also became part of one of Seminole’s trick plays, catching a 20-yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Taylor.
Taylor completed 2 of 3 passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns, including the throwback touchdown to Proenza.
Roberts finished with his 80-yard touchdown catch on the opening play. Ladarian Hill added a 55-yard touchdown reception, while Kadin Pierce-Flores caught two passes for 45 yards. Robbins added a 20-yard touchdown reception to his special-teams score.
Seminole also got a 12-yard run from Proenza and finished with 82 rushing yards.
Defensively, King Manley led the way with five tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry. Jaylen Lowman had five tackles, three solo, with a tackle for loss. Marcus Geddie Jr. and Brandyce Jackson also finished with five tackles apiece.
But Wills’ touchdown may have been the night’s most fitting symbol.
A defensive tackle had intercepted a pass, outrun an offense and scored.
When the big men start finding the end zone, things are probably going pretty well.
“We came out and played good football,” Calhoun said. “Our passing game got off to a great start. Our defense played lights out, special teams — all the boys played great. I’m proud of them. Great job.”
The game plan was straightforward.
“Score fast, early and often,” Calhoun said.
Seminole did exactly that.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, a defensive tackle got the chance to show everyone he could do a little more than tackle.
