ALTAMONTE SPRINGS — Over the past several games, special teams have played a pivotal role in Seminole’s success. Friday night against Lake Brantley was no different.
Kadin Pierce-Flores returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter to pull Seminole even, and Cameron Roberts caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Proenza in the third as the Seminoles defeated the Patriots 14-7 to remain unbeaten heading into the final week of the regular season.
The victory improved Seminole to 9-0 and secured the program’s first district championship since 2023.
Trailing 7-0 late in the first half, Seminole turned to its special teams for a spark. Pierce-Flores fielded a punt and raced 85 yards for the tying touchdown with 2:09 remaining in the second quarter, shifting momentum in a game in which the Seminoles struggled to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
Pierce-Flores finished with 126 yards on two punt returns, along with three receptions for 55 yards.
“Special teams is very important to the game,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun Jr. said. “We spent a lot of time going over special teams throughout the season. Very happy about that.”
Seminole took its first lead with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter when Proenza connected with Roberts for a 27-yard touchdown, putting the Seminoles ahead 14-7.
The Seminoles finished with 355 yards of total offense, including 186 passing and 169 rushing, but three turnovers prevented them from building a larger lead.
Proenza completed 11 of 15 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown despite throwing two interceptions. He also added 46 rushing yards on three carries.
Tyree Howard led the Seminole rushing attack with 82 yards on 12 carries, while Jelani Williams added 22 yards on three attempts and Da’khi Carr contributed 19 yards on three carries.
Luis Ojeda caught two passes for 57 yards, while Ladarian Hill added a 19-yard reception.
Defensively, Seminole held Lake Brantley scoreless in the second half, protecting its seven-point lead despite the offense’s struggles with turnovers.
Jaxson Wade led the Seminoles with nine tackles, including one for loss and two quarterback hurries. Jamarion Coleman added eight tackles, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.
RJ Hampton recorded seven tackles and broke up three passes, while Mason Wills finished with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry and a blocked field goal.
Ethan Varnadore contributed a sack and two quarterback hurries, while Marcus Geddie Jr. and Tyran Archer each recorded six tackles. Kendrick Miles Jr. and Jaylen Lowman added five tackles apiece.
For Calhoun, the victory was another example of his team’s ability to overcome mistakes and find ways to win.
“District champs for the first time since 2023. Very proud of our guys and how we finished the game,” Calhoun said. “Obviously, you want to start faster, but you can’t beat a win in a hostile environment on the road. I was very proud of the guys.”
Despite the undefeated record, Calhoun acknowledged that turnovers and execution remain areas of concern as the Seminoles prepare for the final stretch of the season.
“Some of these turning-the-ball-over things we’re going to correct in practice,” Calhoun said. “Things happen, but we found a way to beat a good team. You have to find a way.”
With another district title secured and their unbeaten record intact, the Seminoles enter the final week of the regular season looking to complete a perfect 10-0 season with their game at Oviedo before turning their attention to the postseason.
