Southeast Lauderdale High School’s ability to generate explosive plays offensively has been a catalyst in their early season success.

    However on Friday night, Northeast Jones High School kept them in check, holding the high-powered Tigers’ offensive attack scoreless in the second half en route to a 33-16 road win.

    “We challenged our kids at the half,” Northeast Jones coach Keith Braddock said. “We knew they were going to make some plays. We just calmed down and went back to the basics.

    “Southeast is really good. They are a well coached team, and we have a lot of respect for those guys. They are going to make some noise in 3A.”

    Northeast Jones (2-3) jumped out to an early 13-0 advantage, charged by Reggio Dean. The senior running back tallied two first quarter touchdown runs of eight and one yard.

    “(Dean) is a great player,” Southeast Lauderdale coach Charles Black said. “We didn’t tackle as good as we could have and that’s on us, and I’ve got to coach better.”

    But the home-standing Tigers would claw their way back into the game, led by their talented receiver Damion Willis. Following his 4-yard touchdown reception on a fourth down conversion, Willis tied the game after hauling in a diving 34-yard touchdown reception. The senior receiver used every inch of his 6-foot-4 frame in lunging for the touchdown reception.

    “It was a fantastic catch,” Black said. “That’s the type of player and the type of kid he is; he’s going to give you his all.”

    Willis finished the game with three catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

    On its ensuing possession, Southeast took a 16-13 advantage after place kicker Andrew Bernard connected on a 31-yard field goal with just 20 seconds remaining in the half.

    Just prior the halftime whistle, Southeast appeared to increase its advantage when Jacoby Wilson intercepted a pass at its own 15-yard yard line and returned it down the sideline and into the end zone for the score.

    Yet the referees would rule the sophomore defensive back fumbled the ball through the end zone for a touchback after he reached to place the ball across the goal line.

    “We went down early, but we came back to take the lead heading to the half,” Black said. “If we could have finished the play on (Wilson’s) interception, that might have changed the game.”

    Southeast (4-1) maintained its slight lead until the 1:10 mark of the third quarter, yet Northeast Jones quarterback Caleb West found junior receiver Dede Jones across the middle of the field for a 13-yard touchdown strike. However, the visiting Tigers missed their second extra-point of the night, but still held a 19-16 advantage.

    “We never doubted ourselves,” Dean said. “We played some spectacular teams and that helped prepare us for what we faced (Friday).”

    Northeast Jones would extend its lead to 25-16 at the 10:50 mark of the fourth quarter when Dean notched his third touchdown run of the game — a 9-yard touchdown scamper. The scoring play was set up following after a long snap was fumbled by SEL punter Chase Hughes.  

    Additionally, Southeast muffed two kickoffs surrendering possession on both occasions through the course of the game.

    “We got in our way,” Black said. “We had special mistakes and those really hurt. Ultimately, we didn’t move the ball real well in the second half.”

    Following a Southeast three-and-out, Dean dashed his way up the middle, scampering through the SEL defense en route to a 27-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the night. The visiting Tigers would convert the two-point conversion, giving them a 33-16 lead for the final outcome.

    “He’s a gladiator and he’s a warrior,” Braddock said. “He’s a great football player, but I promise you he’s a better kid. He’s a team player and a special kid.”

    In addition to his four touchdowns, Dean tallied 79 yards on 16 carries and added 63 yards on two receptions.

    “This feeling is incredible,” Dean said. “It’s unbelievable for me. We always preaching keep making plays, keep getting positive plays. If we keep pushing forward, then good things will continue to happen.”

    Southeast Lauderdale will host West Lauderdale High School next week.

    “I’ve got to coach better, and we’ve got to play better,” Black said. “I still feel good about our team, because we can fix what we messed up on.

    “I love my coaches, and I love my team. We just have a few areas where we have to correct, and we’ll be fine.”