TAMPA, Fla. -- High school football playoffs kick off on Friday. One of the most surprising teams in Class 2A this season has been Seffner Christian.
Last Friday’s 70-3 rout of Northside Christian capped off a perfect regular season.
“As you can imagine, going 1-8 to 10-0, just with the excitement, not only on the field, but on campus, in the Seffner community, it’s just been incredible,” Seffner Christian head coach Travis Puleo said.
Incredible is one word you can use to describe this season for the Crusaders. After winning just one game last season, they’ve gone undefeated.
“It’s crazy, honestly – just to think about,” said quarterback Isaiah Knowles. “It’s a blessing from God.”
Receiver Christian Helms added that the team is feeling a wide range of emotions as they prepare for playoffs.
“A little bit of everything — just in awe of what’s happening and a little bit of pride, but we know we have to kind of control it,” Helms said.
One of their secrets to success has been a tough offseason program, but also, true teamwork and faith.
“The culture that we’ve created here is a ‘we not me’ mentality, and that’s honestly the culture that we have on our football team right now,” Puleo said. “Nobody cares who gets the glory. “
But this team is more like a brotherhood. They went on mission trips this offseason and several members of the team have played together since childhood.
“It’s 11 guys -- not a bunch of different guys playing each position,” Helms said. “It’s 11 guys together, you know, one team, one goal.”
And now, with a mix of old and new – they’ve made school history; giving Seffner Christian their first-ever perfect season and setting a program record for wins in a season.
“It’s a huge transition to see some of these kids take the next step, and accepting responsibility as young men,” Puleo said of his team’s growth. “Understanding what we went through then and now, accepting responsibility to lead this team has been incredible to watch. “
However, the Crusaders aren’t satisfied. There’s still one first they have yet to achieve – winning a playoff game.