Keiser Seahawks open NAIA football playoffs hosting Southeastern Fire

The most successful football program in Palm Beach County starts another journey to potentially a fourth straight NAIA championship game.

Second-seeded Keiser University, which won the 2023 NAIA national championship, will start its playoff run Saturday, Nov. 26 vs. 12th-seeded Southeastern Fire (9-2) at Keiser Football Field.

The Seahawks, with their sky-blue and navy uniforms, won all 10 of their regular-season games, including 7-0 in the Sun Conference, to earn a ranking of No. 2 in the country. The winner of Saturday’s second-round tilt advances to the NAIA quarterfinals on Dec. 6 that Keiser also would host.

The national championship game will be held this season in Fort Worth, Texas and Keiser has a fantastic opportunity under second-year coach Myles Russ.

More: Dallas Desouza is Keiser football's big playmaker, 'not the biggest guy in the world'

Russ, who previously had been a Keiser assistant, has seen the Seahawks post a 77-16 record in the West Palm Beach program’s 8-year history.

The Seahawks have made the NAIA playoffs seven straight years – missing only in its inaugural season under program architect Doug Socha, now at a Division II program in North Carolina.

Keiser has done well recruiting locally with 13 players from Palm Beach County on its roster and a quarterback, senior Shea Spencer, from Vero Beach.

The Seahawks have aired it out more than previous seasons when the run game and a powerful offensive line were staples.

Spencer, in his seventh year on campus because of Covid-19 disruptions, a redshirt year, and a torn ACL, has completed 68 percent of his passes.

Keiser has three receivers with at least 500 yards – Elisha Edwards (672), Cardinal Newman graduate Dallas Desouza (626) and Maurico Porha (537). Leading rusher, Jaden Miller has 912 yards on 151 carries.

Keiser defeated Southeastern earlier this month

Keiser beat Southeastern, 34-23 in the regular season on Nov. 8th.

“Southeastern does a great job in every phase of the game, and they’re really going to push us to make sure we’re being who we are—disciplined, detail-oriented, and consistent in every area,’’ Russ said. “I told the team that I want us to continue to contend and mature. That’s big for us. I’m excited for this game and the next challenge ahead for this group.’’

Keiser stole the Sun Conference’s awards with Russ winning Coach of the Year, Eli Bertrand (Sebring) as Linebacker of the Year, Tyler Carson as Offensive Lineman of the Year and Tai Lologo as Defensive Player of the Year.

Thirteen Keiser players made All-Conference. Even defensive coordinator Peter Davila was honored for Assistant Coach of the Year.

Though he didn’t come away with honors, defensive back Malik Razz, a Forest Hill graduate, was second on the team in tackles (45).

In 2024, Keiser was denied the national championship losing in the finals to Grandview, 35-7, in Durham, N.C.

“It’s really important to communicate to the team that it’s always process over results,’’ Russ said. “We’re going to stick to the process we’ve followed all year, not make anything bigger than it is, and stay focused on ourselves."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Keiser starts 2025 NAIA football playoffs hosting Southeastern