Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School football team enjoyed a lopsided Homecoming victory to remain unbeaten Friday night in Middleton.
The Buffalo jumped all over visiting Crystal River early and often en route to a 49-0 win at H.G. Morse Stadium, improving to 7-0 overall with their fourth shutout this season.
A total of six different players scored touchdowns for VHS, who also held an opponent scoreless in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2020.
"For the most part, we were really dialed in," said Buffalo head coach
Richard Pettus. "I thought we did a really good job staying focused this week and doing what we needed to do to be successful. We were able to get up early and then get our young guys in, and I was really pleased with their effort."
The victory also featured an emotional tribute, as the No. 20 jersey was worn by a Buffalo player on the gridiron for the first time since 2019. VHS senior linebacker
Cole Logan was selected as the recipient of the Machado Legacy Jersey for the Homecoming matchup, honoring former Buffalo linebacker Joseph Machado, who was tragically killed in a vehicle crash six years ago.
"Being on the field and getting to wear this jersey, I can't even begin to describe how it feels to represent someone that can't represent themselves anymore," said Logan following the game. "The emotions of it all and what it means to his family and all of us here, I was just so honored and I couldn't be more proud to do it."
The Buffalo needed just one play from scrimmage to take a 7-0 lead, as
Jadence Kennedy fired downfield to
Omari Hill, with the duo connecting for a 66-yard touchdown pass on the game's opening snap.
After a quick three-and-out by Crystal River (2-5), VHS extended its lead to 14-0 as Logan took the No. 20 jersey into the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run up the middle. The touchdown sparked an emotional scene on the VHS sideline, which also featured the presence of Machado's mother, Dawn, and sister, Tayla, on Friday night in Middleton.
"We're never going to let No. 20 and Joe Machado leave our hearts, leave this stadium or leave Buffalo football," Pettus said. "That (jersey) couldn't have gone to a better person, in terms of what Cole (Logan) represents on and off the field. ... We're not going to forget about No. 20, I can promise you that."
The Buffalo continued to pour it on in the first quarter, eventually closing the opening period with a 35-0 lead over the Pirates.
Antwon Johnson tallied a 24-yard touchdown run on the next VHS possession, before
Tranard Roberts found the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run with 4:09 left in the quarter.
Kevonte Corbin reeled off a 17-yard touchdown catch-and-run from Kennedy to close the opening quarter and give the Buffalo an early five-touchdown lead.
"Playmakers are supposed to make plays when their numbers are called, and that's what our guys have been doing for us," Pettus said. "We can't worry about who's getting the credit and we're trying to make individual guys happy, we're calling plays based on our game plan and what we see defensively. The great thing about it has been that all of our skill guys have responded really well to it."
Kennedy tossed his third touchdown pass of the night — and his second to Hill — on a 7-yard score late in the first half, giving the Buffalo a 42-0 lead at the break.
Maguire Mellinger added an 18-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter for the night's final margin, as the second half was played with a running clock in its entirety.
Up next, the Buffalo will open Class 2A-District 6 play with a 7 p.m. kick next Friday night against Astronaut (5-2) at H.G. Morse Stadium in Middleton. The War Eagles defeated VHS, 21-20, in last season's regular-season finale.
"We had another big crowd tonight and I can't thank the fans enough, and we definitely need them to come back out for us again next week," Pettus said. "District play begins with Astronaut coming here and we need everybody to be here and be up for that challenge with us."
VHS senior linebacker Cole Logan greets Tayla Machado, left, and Dawn Machado, right, prior to kickoff Friday night in Middleton. Logan was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Machado Legacy Jersey, which honors former Buffalo linebacker Joseph Machado, who was tragically killed in a vehicle crash in 2019. –India Pantin, VHS Athletics
Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.
