On Friday, Sept. 12, the Seminole Chieftains hosted their bitter rival, the Tecumseh Savages. An offensive explosion and timely defensive stops allowed the Mean Green to handle their rivals, winning by a score of 50-27. With the victory, Seminole now holds a record of 2-0 in 2025 and extends the all-time series lead over Tecumseh to 44-8.

Tecumseh would strike first, taking a 6-0 lead five minutes into the game, but from that point on, it was all Seminole. The Chieftain’s first offensive play was a 55-yard bomb from QB Donavin Garfield to WR Jay Ladd for a touchdown. Following the score, the defense stepped up, forcing an INT by Mason Bennett, then a Savage turnoveron- downs, allowing another huge WR Jay Ladd touchdown catch, this one from 70 yards, giving SHS a 14-6 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Savages would tie the game up, 14-14, on the first play of the second period with a long touchdown pass of their own.

However, the Chieftains would end the half on a 22-0 run, scoring on throws and catches from QB Donavin Garfield to WR Mason Bennett (15-yard touchdown catch and 45-yard touchdown catch), and WR Jay Ladd (81-yard touchdown catch). Ladd would then intercept the Savage QB late in the quarter, and the Chieftains would kneel out the clock, taking a 36-14 lead into the break.

Seminole would force their third turnover of the game when CB Timothy McFadden would intercept the Tecumseh QB to start the second half. Chieftain QB Donavin Garfield would pay off the INT with a touchdown run, giving the Chieftains a 42-14 lead midway through the third.

Despite two more Tecumseh touchdowns, Garfield would put the Savages to bed when he ran in another long score in the final quarter. Securing the 50-27 rivalry win over the Savages.

Here is what Head Coach Mike Snyder had to say after another victory over Tecumseh, “Well, it’s always good to beat your neighbor. We just didn’t play very well defensively. We’ve got to make some decisions there and get a little better on defense. But I thought our offense played really well, but defensively we’ve got a long way to go.”

As for statistics, QB Donavin Garfield finished 9-12 passing for 334 yards and 5 touchdowns. His top two wide receivers were Mason Bennett ( 4 receptions, 103 yards, and 2 TDs) and Jay Ladd ( 3 receptions, 206 yards, 3 TDs). The rushing attack finished with 163 yards, with RB Reed Bowers leading the running backs with 5 carries for 53 yards, while QB Donavin Garfield rushed for two scores. As a team, Seminole gained a total of 497 yards on 44 plays, averaging 11.3 yards per play.

Defensively, Seminole forced the Savage QB into three interceptions and three turnovers on downs. Linebackers Reed Bowers and Carter Childs led the team in tackles, each compiling 11 total, while Austin Smith led the Chieftains in sacks with two.

Next up, the Chieftains will travel to Harrah to take on the Panthers in their first road contest of the season. Game time is set for 7 p.m.