Seffner Christian
Coach: Steve Lewis (fifth season, 21-17; 30th overall, 143-156-6)
Last season: 8-2
Class/district: Independent
Colors: Maroon and white
Stadium: Plays at public high schools around the area.
Playoff appearances (FHSAA): None
Season schedule
Aug. 29vs. Lake Mary Prep (at Tampa Bay Tech), 7:30
Sept. 5vs. St. Stephen’s (at Brandon), 7:30
Sept. 12at Windermere Prep, 4:30
Sept. 26at Calvary Christian, 7:30
Oct. 3at Bishop McLaughlin, 7:30
Oct. 10at Santa Fe Catholic, 7
Oct. 17vs. Keswick Christian (at Tampa Bay Tech), 7:30
Oct. 24vs. Shorecrest (at Armwood), 7:30
Oct. 31TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7
Nov. 7TBA (Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs), 7
Mark your calendar
Seffner Christian at Windermere Prep, Sept. 12: Coming off an 8-2 campaign, Seffner Christian is optimistic this season could bring the school its first Sunshine State Athletic Conference Championship. To get there, the Crusaders will likely have to go through a tough Windermere Prep team on the road.
Huddle highlights
Growth spurt: This is the fifth season of football at Seffner Christian and with time comes experience. Steve Lewis, the only head coach SCA has ever known, said he expects to have 42 players on the roster, most in Crusader history. Lewis credits the increasing numbers to a growing middle school feeder program.
Size will be a concern: Especially up front. “Most teams will be bigger on paper,” Lewis said. “But it doesn’t mean they’ll be better.”
Boys of summer: Seffner Christian had its best summer yet, capturing the school’s first 7-on-7 championship at the Central Florida Christian tournament. The Crusaders went 7-0, knocking off Carrollwood Day School, Cambridge and Sebring before shutting out Foundation Christian in the title game.
Upgraded digs: The Crusaders opened the doors to a state-of-the-art weight room and new football locker room in June. “There’s no doubt that helped when our potential transfers came by for a visit,” offensive coordinator Travis Puleo said. “They were blown away. I think it’s the best in Hillsborough County.”
Home away from home: Without an oncampus stadium, the Crusaders will play regular-season home games at Brandon, Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech. Should Seffner Christian reach the SSAC championship, the game will be played at Spoto.
Known quantities
RB/NG Marcus Richardson, Sr.: One of two Crusaders remaining from SCA’s inaugural team, Richardson has been a starter since eighth grade.
OLB/RB Karmi Mackey, So.: Mackey possesses a quick burst through the hole and will share the backfield load with Richardson.
WR/S Tyler Flatt, Sr.: Puleo said he expects “big things” from Flatt, who will stretch defenses and has excellent hands.
LB Trent Puleo, Jr.: Puleo is a tackling machine who led the county with 153 last season.
Up-and-comers
QB Jacob Couch, Jr.: Couch will step in under center after playing seven-man football while homeschooling last year. Lewis said Couch “has great touch and accuracy.”
LB/WR Noah Randall, Sr.: Randall has good hands and was a starter at safety last year for Land O’Lakes.
LB/FB Nathan Bynum, Sr.: Bynum transferred in from Texas and Travis Puleo compared the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder’s running style to former Tampa Bay Buc Mike Alstott.
OT/DT Zack Skau, Jr.: At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, the Cambridge Christian transfer provides some much needed size up front on both sides of the ball.
G Ryne Stromsnes, Sr.: Opponents, beware. Stromsnes recently made headlines when he helped rescue a man from a lake — after dragging an alligator away by its tail.
Coach’s corner
“I take them one at a time as the good Lord gives me the strength. He’s given me the strength for this season. We’ll worry about the next one in January.” — Lewis, who has been battling Parkinson’s in recent years, when asked about the possibility of returning next season.
Photo: Marcus Richardson