Like two prize fighters going toe-to-toe in the boxing ring, Seminole and previously undefeated Lake Wales traded blows on Sept 20 with the host Noles coming out on top 41-38.
“They are a great team – they hadn’t lost a road game since 2017 it showed tonight,” Seminole coach Karl Calhoun said. “They have great coaching and kept playing.
“But when you play those types of teams – those deep playoff teams – it’s going to be punch for punch, it just depends on who gets the last punch in – I’m glad it was us tonight.”
Down three with 4 minutes left in the first quarter, Michael Clayton found Xavier Tucker on a 37-yard pass for touchdown to put the Noles up, a lead they never give up.
The Seminoles rode Clayton’s arm to a 21-3 lead with 8 minutes left in the opening half. The junior quarterback ended the night 14-of-22 with 213 yards and three touchdowns.
Tucker was Clayton’s main target, grabbing five passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker showed why Calhoun calls him a “special player” when he broke loose on a 93 yard kick return for the final touchdown and his third of the game.
“Everyone got to see it last week (against Heritage) and now again this week, (Tucker) is just a special player,” Calhoun said. “He has great hands, elite speed and is just a crazy play maker.”
A Juan Berchal interception with under a minute left led to a Liam Allen filed goal and a 24-20 Seminole lead at the half.
“We came out with the offense clicking, defensively we gave up a few plays in the second half, but that happens,” Calhoun said. “I’m glad we were able to come though, fight through and finish on a high note.”
The Seminoles are on the road Sept 27, traveling to Lake Brantley for a district game against the Patriots. Game time is set for 7pm.
