Football: Seminole puts pieces together at the right time

Time and fate almost ran out on the Seminole Indians before they had a chance to put all the pieces together.

One major piece helped in a big way, as did a fortunate flip of a coin.

No matter how it all played out, the Indians think they’re just hitting their groove in time for a major challenge.

Seminole (8-3) faces Brownwood (9-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a Class 3A Division II area playoff at San Angelo Stadium.

“This is the kind of game, as a coach, you really like being in these situations,” said Seminole head coach Chris Burtch, who has led his team to the playoffs in each of his six seasons. “You’re facing one of the most storied programs in the state when it comes to football and you have the opportunity to let your kids really shine.”

It’s definitely helped Seminole to have senior quarterback Michael Navarro healthy again.

Navarro was Seminole’s starter until breaking his foot in the team’s first scrimmage against Pecos.

That sent Indians coaches trying to figure out who to put under center and how to fill in the spots of those playing filling in for Navarro — primarily Jarod Adams and Tanner Moore.

Navarro was healthy enough for some spot action in the team’s eighth game and then entered after halftime to direct Seminole’s key 31-13 victory against Andrews in Week 9.

“He’s done an excellent job coming in and getting us going,” Burtch said.

In the last three games, Navarro has passed for seven touchdowns and rushed for another five.

It’s helped to have a weapon like Adams, who now has a full-time offensive role at wide receiver.

Adams caught six passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 55-7 victory against Clint in a bi-district playoff.

The sophomore, who also returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, said it wasn’t hard to get into the groove as a receiver after playing quarterback much of the season.

“We would stay after practice and work on our timing and it all worked out,” Adams said of the chemistry he’s developed with Navarro. “The defense stepped up and the offense made big plays and now we’ve just got to take some of this momentum and keep it going into the next round.”

Indians players definitely don’t want to waste the opportunity since they nearly missed the playoffs altogether.

Seminole finished in a three-way tie with Andrews and Greenwood for second place in the final District 3-3A standings. Since only two of the teams got to advance to the playoffs, a coin flip determined the postseason berths — with Seminole and Andrews getting the lucky bounces.

Even though the Indians had routed Clint during the regular season, they didn’t want to come out slow and risk getting upset.

“Throughout the whole week the coaches were talking to us about how we couldn’t limp into the playoffs,” Navarro said. “We had to come out and take control right off the bat. I was just thankful for the chance to play and I wanted us to take advantage of it.” 

>> SEMINOLE VS.  BROWNWOOD

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Where:  San Angelo Stadium.

What: Class 3A Division II area playoff.

Records: Seminole 8-3; Brownwood 9-2.

Last meeting: Never in playoffs.

Radio: 1250-AM (Seminole).