Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School athletic department celebrated a successful year in 2025-26.

In team competition, the Buffalo captured eight district championships and finished as district runner-up six times. VHS also won a regional title, twice finished as regional runner-up, and boasted a state runner-up squad.

The Villages also enjoyed the crowning of an individual state champion for a fifth straight year – and its 10th overall – as David Probola (boys track and field) won the 800-meter run at the FHSAA Class 2A state meet on May 7 in Jacksonville.

Additionally, a total of 16 VHS senior athletes signed letters of intent to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level, while athletic director and head football coach, Richard Pettus, was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Hall of Fame back in January.

Here's a look at some of the achievements from this past school year:

DISTRICT CHAMPION (8)
Cross Country - Boys
Golf - Boys
Golf - Girls
Swimming & Diving - Boys
Swimming & Diving - Girls
Basketball - Boys
Basketball - Girls
Beach Volleyball

DISTRICT RUNNER-UP (6)
Volleyball
Bowling
Weightlifting - Girls (Olympic/Traditional)
Soccer - Boys
Soccer - Girls
Softball

REGIONAL CHAMPION (1)
Basketball - Boys

REGIONAL RUNNER-UP (2)
Golf - Girls
Beach Volleyball

STATE RUNNER-UP (1)
Basketball - Boys

INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPION (1)
David Probola - Track & Field (800 meters)

INDIVIDUAL STATE RUNNER-UP (1)
Blake Tart - Boys Weightlifting (129 pounds, Traditional)

COLLEGE SIGNINGS (16)
Football
Brett Widmann - Valdosta State (GA)
Kevonte' Corbin - Samford (AL)
Devonte' Huff - Lane (TN)
Girls Basketball
Narjhani Harris - Southwest Tennessee (TN)
Makayla Crews - Thomas (GA)
Ciera Heil - Southeastern Christian (FL)
Boys Basketball
Herly Brutus - Butler (IN)
Ethan Bevis - Saint Leo (FL)
Jared Thompson - Southeastern (FL)
Wrestling
Emily Frantzen - Point Park (PA)
Volleyball
Viviana Toucet-Martinez - Enterprise State (AL)
Swimming
Lara Braganza - West Florida (FL)
Softball
Lexy Dunn - Daytona State (FL)
Layla Farrish - Fort Lauderdale (FL)
Boys Golf
Braxton Williams - Southeastern (FL)
Track & Field
David Probola - Johns Hopkins (MD)


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