On Friday, October 31st, the Seminole Chieftains hosted the Mannford Pirates for their 2025 senior night. In the last home game for the Seminole seniors, the Mean Green came out on top in a 44-34 offensive shootout and gave the visitors a haunted Halloween. With the win, the Chieftains improve to 6-3 overall, 3-3 in district play, and give themselves a chance for a 2025 playoff spot going into the final week of the regular season.

Before the game, Seminole honored a total of 19 seniors who have given their heart and soul to the green and white. Those celebrated include; #3 Mason Bennett, #4 Donavin Garfield, #6 Jay Ladd, #7 Eyaske Wassana, #8 Austin Smith, #9 Tyce Bruner, #10 Chaz Rea, #12 Timothy Mcfadden, #16 Michael Linger, #22 Kylor Childers, #23 Reed Bowers, #27 Anthony Jewett, #51 Christian Brager, #52 Ty Washington, #56 Sam Self, #64 Sirius Jackson, #71 Thomas Wood, #72 Maverick Northrip, and #84 Ethan Miller.

The Chieftains started the game out hot when QB Donavin Garfield found WR Jay Ladd on the first play from scrimmage for a 78-yard gain down to the two-yard line. One the next play, Garfield found a play dirt with his legs, and Seminole was up 8-0. However, the Pirates would start out hot as well, scoring on two plays themselves thanks to a 58-yard touchdown scamper, making the score 8-6 Chieftains at the 10:37 mark.

The visitors would strike again on a methodical six-minute drive after a SHS three-and-out, 14-8 Mannford. Two minutes later, QB Donavin Garfield had the Chieftains ready to respond with his offense in the red zone as the first quarter came to a close.

Garfield would give Seminole the lead with his second two-yard rushing touchdown of the ballgame and then extend said lead after a Pirate turnover on downs when he found WR Jay Ladd for a 50-yard touchdown reception, 22-14 Chieftains, midway through the second period. Both offenses would stall the remainder of the half, giving SHS the eight-point halftime lead.

The visitors would receive the kickoff after the intermission and slowly make their way down the field. After nearly seven minutes of gametime, Mannford faced a fourth and one deep in Chieftain territory that saw DL Jarmar Williams blow up a run play in the backfield and give possession back to the home squad. Seminole used this swing in momentum to build their lead with an 80-yard touchdown catch and run by WR Mason Bennett, 28-14 Chieftains. The Pirates would cut the deficit in half just before the final period and would try to spoil Seminole’s senior night in the final twelve minutes of action. However, the Chieftains would score twice in the fourth, thanks to two more QB Donavin Garfield touchdown scrambles. The defense forced the fourthdown stop they needed in the red zone with 2:34 to go, and the Seminole seniors celebrated a win on Mike Snyder Field for one last time. A 44-34 all-to-important victory over the Mannford Pirates.

Here is what Head Coach Mike Snyder had to say after the game. “Well, that’s what you had to do right there, it sure wasn’t really pretty, but. I knew kind of before the ballgame, offensively we’d have to score some points because they have been scoring a lot of points on people.”

The Chieftain offense did exactly what Coach Snyder wanted them to do, finishing the game with 44 points, 529 total yards, and responding every time Mannford gained momentum. QB Donavin Garfield was the catalyst, as he was ultra-effective with both his arm and his legs. The Seminole QB carried the ball 24 times for 239 yards on the ground for four touchdowns to go along with a 10-11 night through the air for 300 yards and two more touchdowns. His top two targets were fellow senior wide receivers Jay Ladd (7 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown) and Mason Bennett (3 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown).

Next up is the last week of the 2025 regular season and another must-win to stay alive in the Class 3A playoff race for the Chieftains. On Friday, November 7th, Seminole will travel up north to take on the Victory Christian Conquerors. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.