Arlington Seguin Clinches Playoff Spot with Dramatic Fake Punt

UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, Arlington Seguin outlasted Mansfield Summit 23-22 on July 15, 2025, clinching a playoff spot in a do-or-die game at Vernon Newsom Stadium. The thrilling victory was secured by a crucial 32-yard pass on a fake punt in the final minutes, executed by senior wide receiver Johnaven Polk.

With just three minutes left and a narrow one-point lead, Seguin faced a challenging 4th-and-7 from their own 43-yard line. Polk, who had already showcased his skills as both a runner and receiver, confidently completed the pivotal pass to G’Manii Smith, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

“We worked on that play in practice this week, but not in that kind of wind,” Polk stated after the game. “I had to do a little of everything, and our team is a monster that keeps fighting.” Head coach Joe Gordon emphasized the urgency, saying, “I didn’t want them to have the ball with that much time left.”

With this victory, Seguin improves to 7-3 overall and 5-3 in District 3-5A Division II, marking the school’s second consecutive playoff appearance and the ninth in its history. The Cougars will enter the playoffs as the fourth seed, preparing for a challenging first-round road game.

Mansfield Summit, finishing the season at 6-4 and 5-3, missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year after a five-year streak from 2018 to 2023. Their final drive ended heartbreakingly at the Seguin 36-yard line with an incompletion in the end zone.

“I felt good about the way we were coming back in the second half,” said Summit coach Channon Hall.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, scoring only eight points each. Summit initially took the lead with a swift 54-yard touchdown run from quarterback Ian Gebhardt, who later rushed for 152 yards on 18 carries. However, Seguin rallied, tying the game with a 52-yard drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chevy Andrews.

Seguin took control in the second half, scoring two quick touchdowns to pull ahead 23-8. Polk contributed significantly with two touchdown runs of 10 and 4 yards as the Cougars capitalized on halftime adjustments, a testament to their coaching staff’s strategies.

As both teams gear up for next season, the emotional rollercoaster of this matchup will linger, especially for the Jaguars, who aimed for a postseason return. The stakes were high, and the intensity palpable, making this game a memorable chapter in high school football.

Stay tuned for updates on Arlington Seguin’s playoff journey and more high school sports coverage.