On Friday, Sept. 26, Seminole High School welcomed back alumni, crowned a king and queen, and witnessed a crazy Chieftain comeback victory over the Lone Grove Longhorn on homecoming. A 34-28 win that saw the Mean Green score 20 unanswered 4th quarter points and put on a show down the stretch for the Seminole faithful. With the win, the Chieftains hold a 4-0 record overall and the all-too-important 1-0 start in district play.

Before the action on the gridiron, Seminole would honor its 2025 football homecoming court. One sophomore attendant, one junior attendant, three senior attendants, and a maid of honor made up the 2025 football homecoming queen’s court. Mallory Hair was crowned SHS homecoming Queen by homecoming King, WR Jay Ladd, in front of thousands of loyal Chieftains just before kickoff.

Both squads started the game with methodical scoring drives, making the score 8-7 in favor of the Seminole, which is where it would stay until the end of the first quarter after a Chieftain three-and-out.

These two foes would match each other once again, starting the second quarter, each with a turnover on downs. Lone Grove would capitalize and take a 14-8 lead off a 45-yard rushing touchdown with 7:30 remaining in the half. Another stalled Chieftain drive and another Longhorn touchdown, this time with 11 seconds left, gave Lone Grove a 22-8 lead heading into the intermission.

Seminole was only given one single drive in the third quarter, but they made it count. Scoring five yards out on a 4th down pass from QB Donavin Garfield to WR Jay Ladd halfway through the quarter. Unfortunately for the Chieftains, the Longhorn matched the score with one of their own as the third period was coming to a close. Seminole trailed heading into the final quarter for the first time all season, 28-14.

The Chieftains started their comeback attempt with a four-minute, 90-yard scoring drive, capped off with a ten-yard touchdown pass to WR Mason Bennett. Seminole had cut the deficit to 28-20 with 8 minutes to play. Needing a defensive stop to get the ball back to their electric offense, Donavin Garfield came screaming off the edge, hitting the Lone Grove QB and knocking the ball free. DB Timothy McFadden would pounce on the ball, and just like that, the Chieftains had an opportunity to tie the ball game.

After forcing the fumble on the defensive side, QB Donavin Garfield orchestrated an offensive drive to tie the ballgame. Rushing in a touchdown from 3 yards out, then catching the game-tying two-point conversion off a trick play. This homecoming showdown was all square at 28-28 with four minutes to play.

The Chieftain defense would force a Lone Grove punt, and Seminole regained possession at their own 28 with 1:21 to play, no timeouts, and a chance to complete the fourth quarter comeback. QB Donavin Garfield started the drive with a 15-yard run, then hit WR Jay Ladd down the right sideline for a big gain into Longhorn territory. With no timeouts and time winding down, Garfield would find Ladd again in the back of the endzone from 20 yards out and just ten seconds on the clock. The touchdown gave the Chieftains a 34-28 lead and sent the Seminole faithful into a frenzy.

After Lone Grove’s Hail Mary attempt was unsuccessful, the Chieftains’ crazy comeback had been completed. Securing the 34-28 homecoming win over the Longhorn.

Here is what Head Coach Mike Snyder had to say about his team’s performance: “Well, I’ll tell you what, again we dug ourselves into a hole in that first half. We just did not do things right, but our kids just showed resilience. Donavin Garfield again showed what he is like. We had Jay Ladd step up. We just did not gel offensively in that early part of the game. The second half we got going, so I mean it is a great win for us, that is the first district win, you’ve got to have that one.”

Snyder’s complementary comments about QB Donavin Garfield and WR Jay Ladd are reflected in their stats from the win. The Seminole QB finished 15-23 for 243 yards passing and three touchdowns through the air. He added 23 rushing attempts for 122 yards and another two touchdowns on the ground. His favorite target was the above-mentioned Jay Ladd, who finished with nine receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. WR Mason Bennett also pitched in three receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Seminole will head on the road for its next district ballgame. Travelling to Bristow to take on the Pirates in the first edition of 2025, October Friday night lights. The 4-0 Chieftains will look to make it 5-0 and get revenge over the Pirates on Friday, Oct. 3. Game time is set for 7 p.m.