It’s been about nine months since the Friday night lights last illuminated Chieftain Stadium, but they will burn bright tonight as the 2025 Seminole High School football season officially gets underway.

The Seminole Chieftains will take on the Checotah Wildcats at 7:30 p.m., and if you’re planning to attend, there are a few rules to be mindful of. No backpacks or weapons are allowed in the stadium and bags of any kind are subject to search. Guests who leave the stadium, you must pay to re-enter.

“Seminole Schools believes that student and community attendance at extracurricular activities is an important component of the educational experience. These events allow our students and community to unite, show school pride, and highlight the endless talents of our student body; however, we want to ensure that these events remain safe and fun for all. The safety of Seminole students, staff, and guests is our top priority,” the district’s gameday policy states.

Although no rain or severe weather is in tonight’s forecast, the school district has adopted a plan in case the stadium needs to be evacuated. The plan is as follows: “Potential emergencies at Seminole High School Stadium will be monitored by a variety of methods, including: The Weather Channel, Weather Bug, NOAA, and District Administration communication. Stadium staff will keep game officials and spectators up to date on changing weather conditions. Officials will suspend (or possibly cancel) the game/event if weather conditions warrant.

If the game/event is delayed, fans will be notified by the press box speaker system and/or social media. If the game/event is cancelled, a public-address message will be made asking everyone to leave the premises. Teams will report to the locker rooms until they are told to vacate. In the event lightning is nearby, student groups (teams, band, cheerleaders, etc.) may be evacuated to the school gymnasium. First responders and Administration will assist in the evacuation of the stadium. If officials and Administration agree that it is safe to resume, spectators will be allowed to enter for the remainder of the game without ticket or penalty. Spectators will be asked to remain in their vehicles during a fast- moving storm with possible lightning or damaging winds.

The gymnasium will be opened to shelter spectators if they do not have a vehicle. Spectators will be moved from the gymnasium to the middle school for a more secure hold in place during the event of a possible Red Cell Storm with tornado.

Our plan applies to sporting events; however, it may also apply to other events held at the stadium. Should it become necessary to evacuate the stadium for any reason, a message will be played over the press box speaker system. This message will inform spectators to move to the nearest exits. Staff will be stationed throughout the exit paths to assist with directions. Please proceed calmly, but quickly to the exits - be patient and courteous of those around you.

Follow instructions from game day officials, it may become necessary to reroute away from the closest exit. During an evacuation, spectators should use all entrance gates as exit gates. Once outside the stadium, all spectators should continue to move away from the stadium to ensure proper space for everyone to evacuate safely away from the stadium. Exit gates are on the northeast corner, the northwest corner, and south end zone of stadium.”

Other home games across Seminole County tonight include Bowlegs vs. Olive and Maud vs. Alex. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. for both games.