Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School football team returns home for the first time in nearly a month tonight in Middleton.
The Buffalo (5-0) will look to remain unbeaten when they host Belleview (1-4) at 7 p.m. from The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium, playing in front of their home fans for the first time since Week 2 back on Aug. 29.
VHS and Belleview haven't met since 2016 — a 45-7 win for the Buffalo — with last season's scheduled matchup between the two teams canceled because of Hurricane Helene.
The Villages earned a No. 2 ranking in the initial Class 2A-Region 2 rankings released by the FHSAA on Tuesday, the highest ranking for the program since 2021. That season, VHS finished a perfect 10-0 during the regular season.
GAME NOTES
• Staying Balanced: The Buffalo offense was almost identical in its run-pass balance last week in a 35-14 win at Tavares, rushing for 196 yards and passing for 193 yards. That follows a similar trend played throughout the first five games this fall, as VHS averages 200.2 passing yards per game and 165.1 yards on the ground.
• Second-Half Success: VHS is doing some of its best work after halftime this season, having outscored its five opponents, 68-3, in the second half through the first five games. The Buffalo have pitched second-half shutouts in four of their five games.
• Chasing History: VHS junior defensive end
Ashton Hunt has tallied eight sacks through the first five games this season, just two shy of the single-season program record. The mark of 10 sacks was set by Wallace Harding back in 2019.
• Rushing Rattlers: Belleview features a three-headed rushing attack, spearheaded by a tailback combo of Keondre Fillmore (430 yards, 5 TDs), Nicholas Mills (381 yards, 2 TDs) and dual-threat quarterback Armani McFarland (180 yards, 4 TDs).
GAME INFO
Who: Belleview (1-4) vs. VHS (5-0)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: H.G. Morse Stadium, Middleton
Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3579730?schoolId=FL25402
Broadcast: https://athletics.tvcs.org/watch/?Live=106&type=Live
Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.
