Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET (11:00 AM CT)
Venue: Ken White Field, Waleska, Georgia
Broadcast: Urban Edge Network on NAIA.TV
Game Overview
Week 1 of the 2025 NAIA season kicks off with the Florida Memorial Sea Hawks traveling to take on the Reinhardt Eagles in a featured Urban Edge Network broadcast. Both programs return experienced rosters and have high expectations entering 2025—Florida Memorial aiming to rebound after a middling Sun Conference finish, and Reinhardt looking to build on an 8–3 campaign and contend for an Appalachian Conference crown.
Team Profiles
Florida Memorial Sea Hawks (FL)
2024 Record: 6–5 overall, 3–3 Sun Conference
Head Coach: Herbert “Herb” Smith (2nd season)
Offensive Identity: Spread attack with tempo
Defensive Identity: 4–2–5 nickel prioritizing speed in space
Key Returners
QB Joseph Williams Jr. (Sr.): Threw for 1,900 yards and 14 TDs, added 450 rushing yards and 5 scores on the ground.
RB DeAndre Thompson (Jr.): Ran for 780 yards at 5.2 YPC with 8 touchdowns.
S Miguel Rivera (Sr.): Led the secondary with 4 interceptions and 12 breakups in 2024.
Outlook: Smith’s squad will lean on Williams’s dual-threat ability to keep defenses off-balance. The Sea Hawks need continuity along the offensive line to protect Williams and open creases for Thompson. Defensively, Florida Memorial must force quick possessions and generate turnovers to disrupt Reinhardt’s balanced attack.
Reinhardt Eagles (GA)
2024 Record: 8–3 overall, 6–1 Appalachian Conference
Head Coach: Sam Gregg (10th season)
Offensive Identity: Pro-style balance of power run and play-action
Defensive Identity: 3–4 front emphasizing gap discipline and zone coverage
Key Returners
QB Jackson McLean (Sr.): Completed 62% of passes for 2,100 yards and 18 TDs, plus 300 rushing yards.
RB Kyler Robinson (Jr.): Rushed for 1,050 yards (5.5 YPC) with 12 touchdowns.
LB Tyler Harrison (Sr.): Team-leading 85 tackles, 7 TFLs and 3 sacks.
Outlook: Gregg’s Eagles boast one of the country’s most efficient red-zone offenses. McLean’s decision-making pairs well with Robinson’s power running and a veteran offensive line. Reinhardt’s defense will look to control the line of scrimmage and limit big plays, relying on Harrison to anchor the front seven and force three-and-outs.
Key Storylines
Season Opener Pressure: A win in Week 1 sets the tone for conference races. Florida Memorial wants to prove its growth under Coach Smith, while Reinhardt seeks to defend home turf and start with momentum.
Tempo vs. Physicality: Florida Memorial’s uptempo spread contrasts with Reinhardt’s methodical, power-run approach. The team that controls the clock could dictate the game flow.
Turnover Battle: Both defenses excel at takeaways—Rivera’s ball skills vs. Reinhardt’s gang-tackling front. The team that flips field position early will gain a decisive edge.
Tactical Matchup
Front Line Battle: Florida Memorial’s O-line must hold up against Reinhardt’s stunts and gap shoots to keep drives alive.
Pace Control: The Sea Hawks will try to speed up play-clock; the Eagles will huddle to chew clock and punish with inside runs.
Special Teams Impact: Field-position battles and an accurate boot from Reinhardt’s junior kicker, Alex Moore, may prove decisive.
Reinhardt’s efficient red-zone offense and stout front seven should be too much for Florida Memorial’s up-tempo looks. The Eagles control the line of scrimmage and force key turnovers, pulling away in the second half.
Game Odds
Florida Memorial Sea Hawks 53.5
Reinhardt Eagles (GA) – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
