South Haven Patriots Defeat Four-Time Champions to Claim 2026 SEEC Football Title
SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE (Smokey Barn News) – South Haven Christian School’s Patriots captured the 2026 Southeastern Extreme Conference (SEEC) Football Championship Saturday, November 7, defeating the four-time defending champion Freedom Cowboys of Huntsville, Alabama, 40–34 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Springfield.
The victory ended Freedom’s four-year championship streak and gave South Haven the conference title. Led by Springfield native Michael Crawley, the Patriots finished the season with a 10–1 record.
Senior Kade Atkinson led South Haven’s rushing attack with 188 yards and four touchdowns, earning Most Valuable Player honors for the championship game. Fellow senior Caius Schroeder contributed 156 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Freedom entered the game on a six-game winning streak.
South Haven advanced to the championship following a 54–22 playoff victory over Lancaster Christian Academy and a 62–32 semifinal win against Christian Community School.
Seven All-Conference Honors
Four South Haven players received a combined seven SEEC All-Conference selections.
First-Team All-Conference
- Kade Atkinson – Running Back
- Kade Atkinson – Linebacker
- Caius Schroeder – Wide Receiver
- Caius Schroeder – Defensive Back
- Sam Hill – Linebacker
Second-Team All-Conference
- Sam Hill – Quarterback
- Cannan Carter – Linebacker
Atkinson and Schroeder each earned First-Team recognition on offense and defense, while Hill received First-Team honors at linebacker and Second-Team recognition at quarterback.
The championship marked the end of Freedom’s four consecutive SEEC titles, with South Haven securing the 2026 conference championship following its six-point victory.
