SEMINOLE — Halloween night in Seminole was made for ghosts, ghouls, and gridiron disappointment. Case in point? The Mannford Pirates sailed into Seminole Friday night with playoff hopes flickering like a lantern in the wind — and though they fought hard, the flame went out late in a 44-34 loss to the Chieftains.
For a quarter, the Pirates looked fearless in the dark. They struck first, hanging 14 points in the opening frame behind a rushing attack that cut through Seminole’s defense like a blade through canvas. Junior J.J. Hindsman churned out 102 yards on a dozen carries, while senior Braiden Rodriguez bulldozed his way to 140 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Luke Naylor added 109 yards and a score of his own, showing a burst of effort that kept the Chieftain D-backs honest.
Senior quarterback Max Moore never had a chance to find his rhythm in the skies, completing just two of five passes, yet he did find success in a 39yard touchdown strike to senior Jerrett Robinson early.
But every time Mannford got a spark and an ember of hope, Seminole snuffed it with a score. The Chieftains punched back with 14 points in the second quarter, taking a narrow lead into the break and refusing to let it go in the back half.
By the third quarter, Seminole’s tempo quickened, and the Pirates were left trying to bail water faster than it was coming in. Moore’s leadership never wavered—he threw for 67 yards, ran for another 37, and took more than a few hits that would have folded lesser Pirates. The defense fought to the whistle, with Ryder Tidwell, Cooper Dodd, and Hagen Anderson applying forced pressure on the Seminole QB, and yes, Max Moore recording a sack, while seniors like Trey Scott and Kendal Howard ground through the cold night to keep the ship steady.
In the end, Seminole’s 16-point surge in the fourth quarter sealed it, but the stat sheet told a story of determination more than defeat. Mannford rushed for over 380 yards, controlled long stretches of the game, and showed that their offense can trade punches.
The loss drops the Pirates to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in district play, keeping them on the postseason bubble alongside Bristow and Seminole. The good news? The season isn’t over—and neither is the fight.
As they prepare for their Week 10 matchup, the Pirates know they’re still within striking distance. Halloween may have belonged to the Chieftains, but in the cold light of November, Mannford still has wind in its sails. It’s a good thing too, it’s a long way to Sulphur and the Sulphur Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in Class 3A. That’s not stopped the Pirates before, they’ll just need plenty of dry powder and the determination they are famous for.