It's Time to Get in the Game! Coach Scelfo's Message to Lion Fans...

Written by Blake Esta | Photo by Johnny Chauvin

The Southeastern Lions' 2025 season officially kicks off on August 30th when they travel to Ruston to take on Louisiana Tech. The 2024 season was all about rebounding after a disappointing 2023. Finishing 7-5 overall, our Lions were just one game out from contending for the Southland Conference title after finishing 6-1 in Southland play, only dropping a 3-point decision to Conference Champion Incarnate Word.

2024 was the first year at the helm as offensive coordinator for Anthony Scelfo, who focused on ball control and limiting opportunities for opposing teams to possess the ball.

Southeastern accumulated over 2,000 yards on the ground while picking up an average of nearly 20 first downs per game and possessing the ball for over 32 minutes per game. Southeastern’s ability to grind the game away comes back to Coach Scelfo’s blueprint laid out on the recruiting trail years back. Speaking on the 2023 signing class at the time, Coach Scelfo said, "We always are looking for offensive and defensive

linemen to develop. We were able to bring in some young men in the trenches who can really add to our depth in those areas immediately.” SLU will look to transition that philosophy to continued and improved success in the 2025 campaign.

As we eagerly await the opportunity to catch the Lions take the field, Coach Scelfo has been adamant about what it will take to catapult Southeastern into the upper echelon of FCS schools competing on a yearly basis. Your Support. He didn’t mix words, speaking on the implementation of NIL. “It’s time to get in and play the game, or get out and accept defeat”, said Scelfo.

Key highlights on the 2025 schedule feature the Hall of Fame game and home opener on September 13th against Mississippi Valley State, a September 20th date up the road in Baton Rouge against LSU, Homecoming on October 18th against Northwestern State, and the annual Rivalry Bell Classic on November 20th in Strawberry Stadium.