For three quarters, Seminole and Eau Gallie battled through a game that felt like it could turn on one play.
Then the Seminoles made theirs.
A blocked field goal in the third quarter turned into a 72-yard touchdown return by Jojo Watson, swinging the momentum to Seminole as the Noles pulled away for a 27-13 victory over Eau Gallie on Sept. 4 at home.
It was the kind of play that reflected what Seminole coach Karl Calhoun Jr. had seen from his team all week.
“Statement win, man,” Calhoun said. “They are a very good football team. We knew coming into the game we had to play good in all three phases. And we did that.”
The Seminoles did plenty on offense, finishing with 366 total yards, including 246 on the ground.
Quarterback Daniel Proenza provided a spark through the air and on the ground. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while adding 110 rushing yards on nine carries.
His biggest run came with 7:22 remaining in the first half, when Proenza broke free for a 51-yard touchdown scramble that gave Seminole a 14-7 lead.
Proenza continued to settle into the offense throughout the night.
“He’s getting comfortable with the offense,” Calhoun said. “He threw a nice touchdown over here in the corner. He’s playing good. He’s getting comfortable on offense, and the more reps he gets, the better he’ll be.”
But the Seminoles’ biggest plays came from a defense that continually made life difficult for Eau Gallie.
Watson was at the center of it.
Calhoun calls Watson a Division I-level cornerback. He finished with four tackles, an interception, and four pass breakups. Then he delivered the game’s defining play, blocking the field goal and racing 72 yards for a touchdown.
“He’s one of the best in the area,” Calhoun said. “If you don’t have him on your radar, you better. You’re going to be mad at yourself if you didn’t look at him.”
Watson wasn’t the only Seminole making plays. Antrell Armstrong finished with eight tackles, including six solo stops, an interception and a blocked kick.
The combination of defensive pressure, special-teams production and a productive rushing attack gave Seminole perhaps its most complete performance of the young season.
“I think all around, it was the most complete game we played from start to finish,” Calhoun said. “They had a great week of practice. I saw it coming. I’m very proud of how these guys played.”
Seminole’s ground game kept the offense moving throughout the night. Jamar Buckner carried nine times for 50 yards, while Jelani Williams added 35 yards on six carries. Tyree Howard contributed 25 rushing yards and three receptions for 15 yards.
Jamarion Coleman added a touchdown on two carries, while Ladarian Hill caught one pass for 40 yards and a touchdown. Kadin Pierce-Flores had three receptions for 35 yards, and Luis Ojeda added a 30-yard reception.
There won’t be much time to celebrate.
The Seminoles face a short week before returning to action Thursday against University, with the focus quickly shifting from the Eau Gallie victory to the next challenge.
For one night, though, Seminole put together the kind of performance its coach had been waiting to see — one that showed what the team can do when all three phases come together.
Three phases.
One statement.
And one blocked field goal that changed everything.
