Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School football team shut down visiting Belleview for a 40-0 win to remain undefeated Friday night in Middleton.

The Buffalo cruised to their fourth shutout in six games this season, as VHS improved to 6-0 overall with the victory from The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium.

The Villages plowed ahead for 173 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, while junior quarterback Jadence Kennedy added two more touchdowns through the air in the runaway win.

"We're thrilled to get the win, but I still feel like there's a lot more in the tank for us," said VHS head coach Richard Pettus, who is 6-0 for the fourth time in his career. "We had some mistakes and penalties tonight and we've got to get those cleaned up. We left some points out there and that's on us. We've just got to focus on getting to the next play a little quicker."

After forcing a Belleview (1-5) turnover on downs on the visitors' first possession, the Buffalo offense needed just three plays to take a 7-0 lead less than four minutes in. Senior Kevonte Corbin took a toss to the right and sprinted toward the end zone for a 10-yard score, extending his streak of scoring a touchdown in all six games this fall.

Antwon Johnson followed with a 4-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the second quarter to give VHS a 13-0 lead.

The Rattlers fumbled on the ensuing possession, setting up the Buffalo in plus-territory at the Belleview 37-yard line. It was from there that VHS took a 19-0 advantage, as Kennedy fired down the seam to Omari Hill for a scoring strike with 11:22 left in the second.

An interception by Corbin right before halftime set the Buffalo up for another first-half score, with Johnson taking a handoff and knifing through the Belleview defense for a 51-yard touchdown run and a 26-0 advantage at the half.

The Villages added a touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, to eclipse the 40-point mark for the third time this season.

Kennedy flicked an 8-yard touchdown pass to Brady Hunt late in the third period, before Jeremiah Wimes closed out the lopsided victory with a 1-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes remaining to initiate a running clock for the remainder of the contest.

The Buffalo defense held the Rattlers to just 75 yards of total offense on 39 plays from scrimmage.

"We've got 11 guys on defense that are some real headhunters," Pettus said. "They study a lot of film, they fly to the football and they do what they're supposed to do. I'm really proud of all those guys and our (defensive) coaches, too."

Up next, VHS will host Crystal River (2-4) in a Homecoming tilt on Oct. 3 from The Range at H.G. Morse Stadium in Middleton. Kickoff between the Buffalo and Pirates is set for 7 p.m. 


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