Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School football team is set to welcome a two-time defending state champion to The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium this Friday night in Middleton.

The Buffalo (4-2 overall) will host Cocoa (3-3) in a Class 2A-District 6 matchup at 7 p.m. on Senior Night, as VHS closes out the home portion of its regular-season schedule against the reigning Class 2S state champion from each of the past two years and the winners of six state titles over the last 15 seasons.

The game is the first in two weeks for The Villages, who saw its previously scheduled district opener on Oct. 11 at Astronaut postponed because of Hurricane Milton. That matchup, which was the second postponement due to a hurricane this season, has since been rescheduled for Nov. 7 in Titusville.

Cocoa, who also saw its Oct. 10 matchup at Apopka postponed because of the storm, enters the contest ranked No. 11 in the FHSAA Class 2A playoff standings. The visiting Tigers have suffered three losses this season to a pair of No. 1 ranked teams (Norland-3A, Venice-7A) and the No. 6 ranked team nationally by MaxPreps in IMG Academy.

"We've talked about it all week long, so by now we realize the huge challenge in front of us and we just have to embrace it," said VHS head coach Richard Pettus. "We've had an incredible week of practice. The focus has been there because of the challenge itself. We know their history and we know they're the defending state champions. But at the same time, we don't need to make this game bigger than it is and we need to compete as we always do."

VHS enters ranked No. 25 in the FHSAA Class 2A playoff rankings, looking to build upon a 35-14 road victory over Crystal River back on Oct. 4 in Citrus County. In that win, the Buffalo scored touchdowns on five of their six possessions, and likely will need similar offensive efficiency against a talented Cocoa roster on Friday night.

Led by University of Michigan commit Brady Hart at quarterback, the Tigers have thrown for 321.5 passing yards per game and 17 touchdowns through the air in six games this season. UCF commit Jayvan Boggs, who was named Mr. Florida Football by the Florida Dairy Farmers Association last season, is the leading receiver for Cocoa with 47 receptions for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"Controlling the clock will be our No. 1 goal for this game, there's no doubt about it," Pettus said. "We have to eliminate our defense from being on the field as much. We have to sustain drives and win the time-of-possession battle, all to keep our defense fresh and give ourselves a chance. We know (Cocoa) has weapons and our offense has to help out our defense, for sure."

The game will be broadcast on TVCS Live ($10), featuring full commentary and on-screen graphics, at this link: https://athletics.tvcs.org/feature/live

Those wishing to purchase tickets in advance can do so via GoFan, the official ticket provider of VHS Athletics, at this link: https://gofan.co/event/1468898?schoolId=FL25402


GAMEDAY INFO
Who: Cocoa (3-3) vs. VHS (4-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium, Middleton
Admission: $8 per person
Parking: Free



Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.