Lafe McCurdy enjoyed an historic comeback season at Montgomery County High School in 2025.

After missing most of the 2024 season due to an ankle injury, McCurdy finished last fall not only injury free, but became a valuable player in the Wildcats’ outstanding season. He brought home all-conference, all-district and all-state honors.

In the Wildcats’ 2026 season opener against Hermann on Aug. 28 at Jim Blacklock Field, the 5-foot-7, 152-pound McCurdy picked up right where he left off from 2025. He scored a pair of touchdowns and made a key defensive play to lift MCHS to a 36-6 win over the Bearcats, making it the second year in a row the Wildcats won their season opener.

After the contest, McCurdy took a picture with seven of his senior teammates. He said he was thrilled that his senior season is off to a good start.

“It’s definitely a sentimental one being the last first game,” McCurdy said. “Being Hermann is always fun. It felt great to come out here and get a good start to the rest of the season. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum rolling going into next week.”

McCurdy and the Wildcats will face a new opponent in their Week 2 game on Sept. 4 at home. MCHS will take on the California Pintos (0-1) at 7 p.m. The team played Monroe City in its Week 2 game in each of the last four years before changing opponents.

The Wildcats improved to 1-0 with the win over Hermann and are looking to finish with their second straight winning season. A year ago, they finished 9-3 and captured their first district championship in two decades.

It’s also the first time since 2012 the Wildcats began their season with a home victory. That year, they began their season with a 56-21 win over Hermann at home, en route to a 7-4 season.

Jackson Benney, Ben Cobb and Isaac Hinkel also scored touchdowns for MCHS, which defeated the Bearcats for the third time in a year. It knocked off its Highway 19 rivals twice last year, including in the district semifinals.

Late in the first quarter, Hermann had the ball at its 39-yard line on second down and eight. McCurdy intercepted a pass from Hermann quarterback Kohlt Witthaus at the 30-yard line. On the next play, McCurdy was handed the ball by Benney and scored a 70-yard touchdown run with 3:59 on the clock to give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.

“I caught that one across the middle,” McCurdy said. “I was already gassed after getting shut down on the last drive, going four and out. When they were calling the play, I was like, ‘Alright, let’s get this one started. Let’s get some momentum going.’ So I did.”

McCurdy scored his second touchdown with 4:31 left in the fourth quarter. The senior scored a 29-yard touchdown run to increase MCHS’ lead to 26-6 and followed that with a two-point conversion.

McCurdy said he was looking forward to the season-opening contest since his team’s state quarterfinal loss to St. Pius X last year.

“I’ve been ready to get back on the field,” McCurdy said.

Last year, McCurdy helped the Wildcats improve from a three-win season in 2024 to an outstanding season that included a double-overtime win over Wright City and a victory over Bowling Green in the district championship game.

“That was different to have a home district game, let alone two of them and a home district championship game and then go on the road to St. Pius with the stands full and they were loud.” McCurdy said. “It was just a different feeling to be out there.”

McCurdy finished with nine touchdowns last season. But it was his strong effort at defensive back that caught the attention of the Missouri high school football coaches. He earned third-team Class 2 all-state honors at defensive back.

“I was shocked,” McCurdy said. “Coach (Matt) Smith gave me a call. I was sitting at home. I just went, ‘Are you serious?’ He was like, ‘Yeah.’”

McCurdy helped the Wildcats allow an average of 17 points per game, compared to 36 per game the year before. He said he was surprised that he got all-state honors on defense.

“I really thought I struggled a little bit on defense,” McCurdy said. “I made a couple of mistakes. I like to cheat on a couple of plays. Sometimes, I end up a little messed up, but it is what it is.”

McCurdy joined Colby Ellis as the only MCHS representatives on the all-state team.

“It fires you up and then it also tears you down because you think about letting people down,” McCurdy said. “But you have to get past it and know that you are the player they think you are.”