Keiser players celebrate after defeating Southeastern in an NAIA playoff game in West Palm Beach.Marc Berman, Special to The PostSun, November 30, 2025 at 2:42 AM UTC·7 min readWEST PALM BEACH — Ailing Keiser University coach Myles Russ would’ve loved this one.
Keiser didn’t miss a beat without its legendary head coach as the Seahawks started their NAIA playoff run with a 44-16 shellacking of Southeastern at Keiser Football Field on Nov. 29.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSecond-seeded Keiser will host Marion (Indiana) on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m., in the NAIA quarterfinals.
On the school’s website the day before the game, Russ posted he “has been quietly and bravely battling a severe medical emergency."
Russ missed the game and defensive coordinator Peter Davila filled in flawlessly. Senior quarterback Shea Spencer was sensational on a windy day, hitting 27 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns as leading man to a litany of Keiser standouts.
“Coach Russ is the head coach of this program,’’ Davila said. “I’m keeping the seat warm for him and following the directions in which he built this program off. He’s built this program of being player-led. It doesn’t matter who’s in front. If anything, we have the joy of watching him.’’
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRuss’ mother was at the game, cheering on the Seahawks. Russ is out of the hospital, doing much better and watching on YouTube, according to sources.
But the timetable for Russ’ return is unknown.
“We’re day-by-day,’’ Davila said. “I know coach Russ is recovering. I know his recovery is going well. As soon as he gets back to work, he’ll get back to work and take his seat back. We can’t wait to see him.’’
Davila had spoken to Russ the morning of the game, texted him after the game.
“He reached out to me not too long ago and said lead this team and be who you are,’’ Spencer said. “He’s made me become a good leader.’’
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd a poised passer. Wide receiver Elisha Edwards, nicknamed “Smiley’’ since he was 9, was one of several recipients of Spencer’s accuracy.
Edwards hauled in 7 catches for 91 yards, including two touchdowns of 19 and 16 yards. In addition, Jaden Miller rushed for 109 yards on 14 carries, including a 47-yard TD run. All this against Southeastern’s vaunted defense.
“He’s definitely missed right now but Coach Davila being in his place is definitely helping,’’ Edwards said. “That’ what we’re fighting for. We’re fighting for him to be back. We’re fighting to bring him to the next place. Having him on our minds at all times helps us showcase that.’’
Shea Spencer spreads ball around in leading Keiser to easy win
Spencer spread the ball around, per usual. He hit Cardinal Newman graduate Dallas Desouza for 8 catches/82 yards and Maurico Porcha and Ben Hayes each caught five passes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Coach Russ is a huge, huge part of this team,’’ said Spencer, a Vero Beach product. “We’re not just a team but a family. It’s the process over results. He’s just an amazing man. We can’t wait to see him. He fights every day like we fight every day.’’
Russ, a former Robert Morris football star, has been with the Keiser program since Day 1, first as an assistant, then head coach the past two seasons. In the West Palm Beach school's eight years of playing football, the Seahawks are now 78-16. And counting.
“They kept swinging all day,’’ said Davila. “They were able to handle some adversity early, a couple of turnovers and nobody complained. Was a fun game.’’
As Davila combed through the final stat sheet, he stopped, shook his head and said “Not bad.’’
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat was Davila referring to?
“Our leader. Shea Spencer - 307 throwing the ball,’’ Davila said. “For him to play the way he did. We had a busted play, fumbled snap He didn’t think about it and went for 6 yards. Things like that you can’t coach. It’s straight instinct.’’
Spencer spread the ball – and the praise afterward.
“We dominated, dominated up front first, then dominated on the perimeter,’’ Spencer said. “Guys up front did a great job protecting me and creating holes for the running backs. Once I got the ball out, the playmakers made plays. It’s easy when everything is clicking like that.’’
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpencer said the head coach is most missed on key moments on deciding what to do on fourth-and-short yardage since Davila “is a defensive guy. But there were few moments like that Saturday.
Chandler Percival interception puts capper on first half
At 20-9, Keiser put the capper on the half when Chandler Percival intercepted a pass with 3:32 left and Keiser converted with a Spencer-to-Edwards high lob in the right corner of the end zone with 13.2 seconds left until intermission.
In the first half, with Spencer hitting on 15 of 17 pass attempts and three touchdowns, Keiser jumped to a 27-9 lead at halftime. The Seahawks had amassed 287 yards of offense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe wind could’ve been a factor. And it wasn’t.
“We talked about it during warmups Shea was talking about the ball may pull to the right when we’re going toward the woods,’’ Edwards said. “We have to able to torque your body when ball is in the air. That’s how I made the second touchdown, torquing my body.’’
Keiser’s varied receiving weapons is what makes them a national title threat. Hayes, a tight end, made a wonderful one-handed grab in the back of the end zone from 6 yards out for a 14-0 bulge.
The reception drew special kudos from Davila, who said Hayes “didn’t want to let his teammates donw.’’
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We talk about it in the (receivers) room,’’’ Edwards said. “We got to be able to make those plays when the ball is in the air. We came together as one, feeding off each other.’’
The defense was top-notch, too, with linebacker Josh Postrada, of the Treasure Coast, picking up Defensive Player of The Game for being almost everywhere from the very first possession. (Postrada recovered a fumble, though replay review nullified the fumble).
“Now we’re being recognized nationally,’’ Spencer said. “Now we have South Florida guys staying home to play for this national powerhouse.’’
The pregame introductions didn’t mention Russ’ absence, still calling out his name as head coach. In spirit, Russ was on the Keiser Field like he’s been for all eight years.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“We’re in West Palm Beach,’’ Spencer said. “We’re a national powerhouse. The fact we’re in West Palm Beach, we should be more talked about. This is competitive football at its finest and we’re all from Florida.’’
The Seahawks took a 20-0 lead before Southeastern registered 9 straight points. It started with the extra point on Keiser’s third touchdown that was blocked and run back by Ian Jolly to the other end zone, counting as 2 points for the Fire.
At 20-2, it looked as though Keiser would put the finishing touches on the Fire when Marlon Shadd intercepted a deep pass and Keiser took over at its 41. But on the first play, Keiser fumbled, Southeastern recovered and drove the ball for its lone first-half touchdown, making it 20-9.
After going three-and-out on its first drive, Keiser scored touchdowns on its next three possessions. A 67-yard drive was capped by a 19-yard touchdown catch by Edwards after Miller’s 20-yard run keyed the drive. It was 7-0 eight minutes in.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSoutheastern missed a 40-yard field goal and Keiser cashed in after a 30-yard screen to Desouza put Keiser deep in Southeastern territory. Tight end Ben
Miller’s 47-yard run up the middle, shocking a Southeastern blitz, made it 20-0.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NAIA playoffs: Keiser advances to quarterfinals behind QB Shea Spencer
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