Lake Wales Highlanders Open Their Title Campaign

Riding on their 3-1 season record and seeking to repeat as district champs in their new higher classification, the Lake Wales Highlanders football squad will face the Melbourne Eau Gallie Commodores this week. It will be their first district game of the year.

Lake Wales enters the game with its powerful ground game intact, with a triple threat of quarterbacks Trent Grotjan and Nick Young and an explosive running back in Marquish Seabon. Corey Harris, Devin Hardy and Carlos Mitchell bring a diverse and hard-to-manage attack against opposing defenses, making big plays on the ground and through the air..

On the defense for the Highlanders, Courtney Brown, Keyshawn Anderson, Tavaris Jones, Jaramiah Anglin, Mitchell Cain and Sean Major are among the roadblocks standing in the way of the Commodores.

The Commodores are hoping to rebound from a narrow loss last week in their contest against Viera. Led by Quarterback Mark Hinkell, they rely heavily on receiver Robert Stafford and Running Back TJ Johnson for their offensive threat. They are presently tied with Auburndale at 1-0 in the five-team District Seven play. The Highlanders will have to beat both squads if they hope to return to the playoffs this year.

The Commodores previously defeated district rival Kissimmee Gateway 35-6, while Palm Bay Heritage suffered a 20-0 loss to Auburndale.

The Highlanders finished the 2019 season, their last full season of play, with a 12-1 record, falling in the regional final when 10 players were out with the flu. Hopes are high for a further advance this season.