Seminole Holds Off Oviedo in Close Finish

Seminole High School defeated Oviedo High School 30-29 on Friday night at John Courier Field, preserving the Fighting Seminoles' undefeated record. The contest remained tight throughout, with the lead changing hands four times before a fumble on an extra point attempt determined the final score.

Seminole entered the game with a 10-0 record, while Oviedo held a 7-3 record and a nine-game home winning streak. The Lions had won seven consecutive games heading into the matchup. The two teams represented some of the strongest programs in Central Florida high school football this season.

Oviedo took an early lead, but Seminole took control in the fourth quarter, building a 30-20 advantage. The Fighting Seminoles forced a field goal with under three minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to 30-23. An onside kick attempt by Oviedo failed, but Seminole could not run down the clock and punted the ball back to the hosts with just over one minute left.

With 1:07 remaining, Oviedo quarterback Sebastian Galeano threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Chris Mondo, narrowing the gap to 30-29. The Lions elected to attempt a two-point conversion to win the game rather than kick a game-tying extra point. The handoff was bobbled, and Seminole's Antrell Armstrong recovered the fumble to secure the win.

This victory marks the eighth perfect regular season for Seminole since 1961. The team also went undefeated in 1963, 1970, 1976, 2016, 2019, and 2020. For Oviedo, the one-point loss added to a difficult start to the season, where the Lions lost their first two games on late field goals. They fell 24-22 to Titusville and 24-23 to Lake Mary.

In other local action, Orangewood Christian defeated The Geneva School 27-20. Lake Brantley High School blanked Hagerty High School 56-0, a result that came after Hagerty lost star quarterback Royce Jenkins to an ACL injury in the first half. Lake Howell High School defeated St. Cloud High School 37-22, and Winter Springs High School beat Davenport High School 21-20.

Seminole, Oviedo, and likely Orangewood Christian will play in the Regional Quarterfinals on November 13. The Florida High School Athletic Association will announce the brackets for other teams at 5 p.m. on Friday. Hagerty played a makeup game against New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, winning 20-15 to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Lake Howell and Viera game, suspended in October, was called complete with Lake Howell leading 45-34.