Cocoa, Fla. — A district championship is on the line for The Villages High School football team tonight in Brevard County.

The Buffalo (8-0 overall, 1-0 district) will embark on their longest road trip of the season this evening, as they take on Cocoa (2-4, 0-0) at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. 

With a win, VHS would capture its first district championship since 2011 and its third in program history. A victory would also clinch a spot in the FHSAA playoffs for the second consecutive year. 

It will come as no easy task, as standing in the way of it all is Cocoa, winners of three straight state championships and a roster full of Division I-level talent. Their 2-4 overall record is a deceiving one, said VHS head coach Richard Pettus, noting the Tigers having played the second-toughest schedule in all of the state this season.

"Cocoa on paper, it might appear that they're down, but they are not down," Pettus said. "They're playing some really, really good teams and have been in those games. Cocoa still has the talent pool, especially defensively. We know this is going to be a challenge. We also know some folks won't give us much of a chance, but as long as our kids believe, that's all that matters."


GAME NOTES
• Defense Does It: The Buffalo defense is on a historic run this season, after posting their fifth shutout of the fall last week in a 35-0 win over district foe Astronaut. It was also the third straight shutout for VHS, who has not allowed a point in 15 consecutive quarters — a program record.
• Still Scoring, Too: Not to be outdone, the Buffalo offense is lighting up their half of the scoreboard this season. The Villages has scored 35 or more points in all eight games and come into tonight's matchup averaging 44.9 points per game.
• Eyeing History: VHS junior quarterback Jadence Kennedy is having a remarkable year, completing 72% of his passes for 1,405 yards and 22 touchdowns with no interceptions. Kennedy sits just three passing touchdowns away from the program's single-season record of 25, set by Brandon Kennard in 2021.
• Third Time's A Charm?: The Buffalo haven't fared well in two previous meetings with the powerful Tigers. VHS fell 54-21 to Cocoa in the 2021 regional finals, before dropping a 54-0 decision last October in the first-ever district contest between the two programs in Middleton.


GAME INFO
Who: VHS (8-0, 1-0) vs. Cocoa (2-4, 0-0)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium (2000 Tiger Trail, Cocoa)


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