WEST PALM BEACH - When Keiser University started their football program five years ago, head coach Doug Socha knew exactly how he was going to build the program into a power.
Competing at the NAIA level, this was a team that looked at the three gifted counties within an hour of the campus as a starting point.
From the very beginning success came to the Seahawks as they worked hard to build and recruit talent to compete against anyone in the nation.
Coming off a 10-4 season and a second-place national finish, this program has indeed turned heads. Even the national title game loss (35-25) to Northwestern College of Iowa last December only fueled the team in the off season.
With another competitive schedule, the Seahawks looked at 2023 as a year that this program could indeed in a national title, and while there were two setbacks to Division 2 powers during the season, they have reeled off eight consecutive wins as they will play host No. 7 Bethel, Tennessee this Saturday at 1 p.m. They beat Bethel 27-17 last year.
Coming off a convincing 45-21 win over St. Thomas University, this team is 9-2 and embraces the opportunity to move on in the playoffs.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TALENT IS PRESENT
Part of the success of this football team is the off-season. Since opening the concentration of talent has come from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Among those local players who have lifted this team includes Miami-Dade prospects Wendol Philord (DB, Miami Jackson), Seth Rolle (WR, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Jaden Miller (RB, Miami Southridge), Da’Shawn Bostic (DB, Miami Southridge), Denarold Beaucejour (WR, Miami Dr. Krop), Jack Smitherman (TE, Hialeah American/St. Petersburg Lakewood), Rafeno Vangates (WR, Hialeah American), Boaz Ieremia (DL, Homestead South Dade) and Khavon Harris (DL, Miami Killian/ASA Academy)
Broward County talent such as Jertavis Black (DL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Aris Skarecki (OL, Parkland Douglas), Riley Ingram (OL, Coconut Creek Monarch), Damon Jackson (DL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Natrone Baptiste (DB, Hallandale), Ormoni Marshall (WR, Weston Cypress Bay) and Nelson Walker (WR, Davie Western).
Keiser University 2023 Football Roster: https://kuseahawks.com/sports/football/roster
KEISER SEAHAWKS
Mississippi College, L 17-14
Lindsey Wilson, Kentucky, W 30-26
Valdosta State, Georgia, L 49-25
Thomas University, Georgia, W 44-12
Miami Gardens St. Thomas University, W 21-14
Lake Wales Warner University, W 69-6
Lakeland Southeastern University, W 51-21
Ave Maria University, W 54-7
Babson Park Webber International University, W 59-17
Miami Gardens Florida Memorial University, W 44-13
* Miami Gardens St. Thomas University, W 45-21
12/2 - * Bethel, Tennessee, 1 p.m.
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..