A helicopter carrying the game ball landed at Sneads High School as part of Friday night’s Homecoming celebration.
Patricia Smith
Gadsden County News Service
The Sneads Pirates marked Homecoming with the arrival of a Survival Flight helicopter, fireworks, the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming Queen and a football game against the Liberty County Bulldogs.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Survival Flight medic and Sneads alumnus Lane Hall stepped from the helicopter after arriving to deliver the game ball for the Homecoming matchup.
Hall, a Sneads graduate who now works in emergency medical flight, was welcomed by members of the community as he returned to his former school for the delivery.
Following the helicopter’s arrival, the Homecoming festivities continued. The football team took the field with fireworks in the background, and Isabella Williams was crowned the 2026 Pirate Queen at halftime.
On the field, Sneads faced Liberty County in a game that ended in a loss for the Pirates.
Liberty County capitalized on multiple interceptions, creating additional opportunities for touchdown runs. Sneads continued to compete throughout the game in front of its Homecoming crowd.
The Pirates have recorded both wins and losses this season.
Earlier in the year, Sneads earned its first victory with a 48-12 win over Graceville. The Pirates later lost to Aucilla Christian Academy, Franklin County and Seminole County before defeating Pataula Charter Academy 22-6.
Sneads later fell to the Bozeman Bucks.
The 2026 season is also the final season for Sneads head coach Bill Thomas, who plans to retire from the program.
The team has faced roster changes after several key athletes transferred.
Sneads linebacker and running back Aiden Brown, No. 33, has also been recovering from an injury. Brown returned to action during the Pirates’ last two games.
Friday’s Homecoming brought several events together at Sneads High School, including Hall’s return to deliver the game ball, the crowning of Williams as Pirate Queen, the Homecoming football game and activities recognizing Thomas’ final season with the program.
The Pirates return to action this week when they host the True Institute Eagles of Brunswick, Georgia.
