Middleton, Fla. — Bragging rights are on the line tonight at The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium.
The Villages High School football team hosts rival Wildwood at 7 p.m, as the two longtime foes will square off for the very first time at the new VHS campus in Middleton.
The Buffalo and Wildcats enter the non-district matchup with a pair of identical 2-5 records on the season, making the 17th all-time matchup between the two neighboring schools a battle for pride.
THE MATCHUP
The Villages Buffalo
Record: 2-5
Class 2S Rank (MaxPreps): 39
Head Coach:
Richard Pettus, 21st year
Wildwood Wildcats
Record: 2-5
Class 1R Rank (MaxPreps): 15
Head Coach: Vincent Brown, 4th year
THE SCENE
Date: Friday, Oct. 20
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium, 2210 Dr. Randy McDaniel Way, Middleton (Fla.)
Surface: FieldTurf
Series: VHS leads 9-7
Last Meeting: Wildwood 53, The Villages 0 (Oct. 21, 2022)
Live Updates: @VHSFootballFBT (Twitter/X)
Website: athletics.tvcs.org
Tickets: $8
FOUR DOWNS
1. Twice As Nice: VHS will seek back-to-back wins for the first time this season, coming off a 17-8 win last Friday night over Class 2S-District 10 opponent Mount Dora. The Buffalo haven't won consecutive games since Sept. 16-23, 2022.
2. 'Leek Looks Good: VHS junior fullback
Maleek Williams rushed for a career-high 142 yards in last week's win over Mount Dora. That performance followed up back-to-back games of 90+ yards on the ground for No. 4.
3. Slowing Down Simmons: Wildwood senior receiver Lorenza Simmons has dazzled all season long, hauling in a team-high 31 catches for 635 yards and six touchdowns. He averages an impressive 20.5 yards per reception.
4. Two-QB Combo: The Wildcats have used a pair of quarterbacks this season, as sophomore Kevonte Corbin (547 yards, 6 TDs) and senior Alan Means (515 yards, 3 TDs) have shared the duty. Corbin adds a rushing threat, scrambling a team-high 47 attempts for 168 yards this fall.
FROM THE HEADSET
"I don't have to say anything extra to our team — and I shouldn't have to — for us to get motivated for this one. We know Wildwood has been our rival for a long time and it's always going to be a challenge going against those guys." —
VHS head coach Richard Pettus
Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org or by calling (352) 259-6890.
