Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School flag football team secured a victory in its first-ever meeting with a longtime county rival Thursday night in Middleton.

The Buffalo enjoyed a 20-6 win over South Sumter at H.G. Morse Stadium, as the two Sumter County foes – and new district opponents – met for the first time in their brief program histories.

After being shutout on Monday night in an 18-0 loss to Trinity Catholic, The Villages (5-7 overall) bounced back with a three-touchdown night against the Raiders (5-4).

Alexis Tatro tossed three touchdown passes on the night, the first coming with 7:28 left in the second quarter. The sixth-grader rolled left and settled her feet, before firing downfield to a wide-open Michayla Griffin, who streaked behind the South Sumter defense for a 7-0 lead.

The Buffalo held that single-score advantage through the end of the first half, but later added one touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

With just under eight minutes to play in the third, Tatro rolled right and threw a dart on the run to Lainey Sheehan, who tip-toed across the goal line for a 14-0 VHS advantage.

Despite a late score by the Raiders, the Buffalo effectively put the game out of reach with just over two minutes remaining in the contest, as Tatro once again found Sheehan in the flat for a walk-in touchdown.

The 20 points scored were the second-highest output of the spring for VHS, trailing only a 24-point night in a home win over East Ridge back on March 12.

The Villages will close out its regular season with three home games next week, beginning with Crystal River on April 6. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. from H.G. Morse Stadium in Middleton.


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