POSTSEASON ROUNDUP: Southeast wins district title

BRADENTON

The passing game for the Southeast High girls flag football team was not clicking early.

The Seminoles threw interceptions on their first two attempts of the game. 

But things picked up in a big way.

Senior athlete Kayla McDuffie threw three touchdown passes, ran for two more and scored on a conversion as Southeast won its second district title in program history with a 32-12 victory over Seminole Osceola in the Class 1A-District 12 title game Friday night at Paul Maechtle Field at John Kiker Memorial Stadium. 

“Opportunities presented itself and my girls were able to execute,” Seminoles coach Jeff Charlton said. “It took us some time, but at the end of the day they stayed committed and got it done.”

The Warriors (7-4) returned the first pick of the game for a score and an early 6-0 lead.

Southeast (12-0) grabbed the lead before the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

McDuffie found sophomore Kymani Freeman for a short touchdown pass and ran in the conversion point for a 7-6 advantage. 

The Seminoles’ defense then had a goal-line stand where McDuffie pulled the flag just before an Osceola runner reached the end zone.

A long scoring run by McDuffie, who dazzled in the wildcat, made it 13-6 before halftime. 

“She’s not normally my quarterback, but she’s been filling in and playing a great role,” Charlton said. “Next man up.”

Senior Tamearia Brown had a sack on the Warriors’ first drive in the second half. However, Osceola scored shortly later but failed to convert the conversion pass leaving it a point shy at 13-12.

Then it was all Seminoles.

McDuffie had a short scoring run and threw a pair of touchdown passes to senior athlete Jasmine Hamilton. 

“We call her hot hands,” Charlton said of Hamilton, who also caught a conversion pass after her first score. “She knows how to catch the ball and her hand-eye coordination is great.”

McDuffie also made a touchdown-saving grab of a flag in the second half. The Seminoles also pulled off some razzle-dazzle on a punt return with Jairis Gomez fielding the punt and flipped the ball back to McDuffie, who in turn tossed the ball back to Freeman who had a big gain down the sideline before her flag was pulled.

In winning the first district title since 2019, Charlton said the keys to this season are “disciplined, believing, they’re passionate about the sport and opportunity itself. When you’ve got girls who are passionate and willing to work, everything else is going to line up.”

Having versatility helps.

“Multiple kids are interchangeable on the team,” Charlton said.

The Seminoles advance to the regionals 7 p.m. Wednesday at home against defending state champion Tampa Robinson. . 

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING

Lemon Bay’s Henry Schouten finished seventh, the highest finisher for the Manta Rays at the Class 1A state meet Friday in Port St. Joe.

Schouten had a 550 total in the 199-pound weight class.

Ethan Lemoyne of Lemon Bay was 10th at 129 with a 350 total.

BOYS LACROSSE

Class 1A Regional semifinal

TAMPA JESUIT 15, SAINT STEPHEN’S 5

Class 2A Regional semifinal

Lithia Newsome 18, Riverview 7

GIRLS LACROSSE

LITHIA NEWSOME 14, VENICE 5

AT: Venice

Regional semifinal 

TOP PLAYERS: Venice, Sophia Santagota (3 goals 2 draw controls 2 ground balls), Gianna Falbo (1 goal 1 assist), Morgan Grosse (1 ground ball), Sofia Burns (3 draw controls  2 ground balls 2 turnovers caused), Kaya Bartlett (1 assist 2 ground balls 3 turnovers caused), Aubrey Hunter (1 ground ball), Willow O’Toole (1 ground ball), Sarah Freddolino (1 ground ball), Gabby Daley (1 ground ball)

RECORD: Venice 8-1

Dennis Maffezzoli is the deputy sports editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and chief reporter for Sarasota Herald-Tribune and HTpreps covering Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Support local journalism by subscribing.