Continentalenews found its way down to the greater Orlando area to cover the Sanford Seminole vs Lake Wales Highlanders in a battle of unbeaten teams on Friday September 22. Seminole was ranked 15th in the state of Florida overall while the Highlanders were ranked 61 in the MAXPrep rankings. A great game was expected and both teams delivered. Early in the game both teams exchanged fumbles. The Highlanders put the first points on the board by hitting a 22 yard field goal. The Seminole would then take a 7-3 lead on a 40 yard td pass. The first score in the second quarter was also by the Seminole via a 6 yard pass. A Seminole fumble at the 49 was followed up by 18 yard touchdown pass and the Seminole took a 21-3 lead. The Highlanders would score their first touchdown on a 22 yard run. 21-10 Seminole lead. With less than a minute left in the half the Seminole intercepted a Highlander pass that led to a 34 yard field goal to finish the first half. 24-10 Seminole.
The Highlanders pulled to within 7 as they recovered a fumble and then scored from 10 yards out. The Seminole would push the lead back to 10 when they converted a 35 yard field goal. Seminole 27-17 lead. The first of 3 kick off returns for a touchdown occurred next as the Highlanders ran one back from 90 yards to make it 27-24. The Seminole returned the favor as they returned the next kick off 90 yards for a 34-24 Seminole lead. The Highlanders put the first points on the board in the fourth quarter as they would score a touchdown on a 3 yard run to make it 34-31 Seminole. Another 90 yard kickoff return by the Seminole put them back up by 10 41-31. A 70 yard touchdown pass by the Highlanders made it a 3 point game 41-38. Then the game got exciting as the Highlanders stopped the Seminole and forced a punt with just over 4 minutes to go. The Highlanders took the ball from the 20 and drove to the Seminole 25 and attempted a tying field goal with 1:47 left. The Seminole blocked the field goal but it was downed at the 1 by the Highlanders. Three running plays put the ball short of the first down with 8 seconds left. The Seminole punter then took the snap and ran to the corner of the end zone where he saw an opening and ran out for the first down and putting the clock at 0.00. But the play was called back due to a hold call on the Seminole and the Seminole had an untimed snap and kneel down to end the game.
The Highlanders pulled to within 7 as they recovered a fumble and then scored from 10 yards out. The Seminole would push the lead back to 10 when they converted a 35 yard field goal. Seminole 27-17 lead. The first of 3 kick off returns for a touchdown occurred next as the Highlanders ran one back from 90 yards to make it 27-24. The Seminole returned the favor as they returned the next kick off 90 yards for a 34-24 Seminole lead. The Highlanders put the first points on the board in the fourth quarter as they would score a touchdown on a 3 yard run to make it 34-31 Seminole. Another 90 yard kickoff return by the Seminole put them back up by 10 41-31. A 70 yard touchdown pass by the Highlanders made it a 3 point game 41-38. Then the game got exciting as the Highlanders stopped the Seminole and forced a punt with just over 4 minutes to go. The Highlanders took the ball from the 20 and drove to the Seminole 25 and attempted a tying field goal with 1:47 left. The Seminole blocked the field goal but it was downed at the 1 by the Highlanders. Three running plays put the ball short of the first down with 8 seconds left. The Seminole punter then took the snap and ran to the corner of the end zone where he saw an opening and ran out for the first down and putting the clock at 0.00. But the play was called back due to a hold call on the Seminole and the Seminole had an untimed snap and kneel down to end the game.
Seminole improved to 5-0 while Lake Wales falls to 4-1. The Seminole is a school that has over 4200 students in the top four grades. It is not unusual for the Seminole and opposing teams to travel 3 to 4 hours for regular season games. Lake Wales traveled just over 2 hours and did not bring cheerleaders or bands.
Playing for the Seminole is Eli Chivington, a Sophomore Defensive Lineman. Eli is homeschooled and is a transfer student to the Seminole. Eli is the grandson of Continental High Graduates Roxy and David Chivington. Eli is the son of Ryan and Betsy Chivington and has 8 other siblings (Kate, Kyleigh, Titus, Carrie, Sarah, Judah, Grace, and Zion) at home. Ryan is a pastor at the Alive Church in Daytona Beach. Continentalenews is based in North Creek Ohio and strives to provide articles of interest in the greater Continental Area.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
