Highlanders Go 2-0 After Thumping of Davenport Ridge Bolts

With a convincing victory at their home opener at Legion Field the Lake Wales Highlander varsity football squad improved their regular season record to 2-0. Both offense and defense sparkled as they defeated the Ridge Community Bolts 55-16.

The Highlanders jumped out to a first-quarter lead of 30 -8, partly on the strength of running back Marquish Seabon's 80-yard scamper for a touchdown. He ran for 196 total yards and three scores in the Highlander's victory over Clermont East Ridge last week. Seabon has shined through the early season, finding gaps in opponents' defensive lines for multiple touchdowns from 40 yards or less. This was his longest on the year.

Defensive efforts played a big role in the victory, with Courtney Brown and Keyshawn Anderson thwarting early Bolts drives with interceptions. Tavaris Jones contributed with a huge QB sack in the final quarter, and Sean Major also contributed big plays after two sacks and 15 tackles in week one.

Other Highlander scores came from Corey Harris from 27 yards out, and a final dash by Carlos Mitchell to bring the score to 55-16.

The Highlanders face a bigger test this Friday as they host the Lakeland Dreadnaughts at Legion Field in Lake Wales. The 7-A Dreadnaughts are a highly successful program that has dominated Polk County teams for many years. Lake Wales plays in Class 6-A.

The undefeated Dreadnaughts topped 7-A Bradenton Manatee Friday night by a lopsided 37-0.

The tough Highlander schedule is part of Head Coach Tavares Johnson's philosophy of taking on tough opponents early to prepare the team for the competition they are likely to face in the playoffs.