District Title Showdown Happens Friday Night in Lake Wales

In what is likely to be the deciding contest of the 2021 football regular season, the Lake Wales Highlanders will face off against the undefeated Auburndale Bloodhounds Friday night at Legion Field.

The Bloodhounds have already dominated district rival Heritage Palm Bay by a 20-0 score, and Kissimmee Gateway 47-7. Lake Wales has yet to face either of those teams. The Highlanders have played only a single district game, a 43-27 victory over Melbourne Eau Gallie. There has been no common opponent to give any indication of relative strength of the two leading teams, but they are closely matched.

The local squad has had a successful season thus far, often defeating opponents by lop-sided scores. They have scored outscored their opponents 246-63, outside a single loss to 7-A power Lakeland Dreadnaughts. The Highlanders feature an explosive running game led by RB Marquish Seabon, and augmented by the sprinting speed of Devin Hardy, Xavier Marlow, Mitchell Cain, and Carlos Mitchell, all of whom have also scored on passes from Senior QB Tyron Sumerall and Junior starter Trent Grotjan.

Auburndale relies on a single Quarterback, Senior Zach Tanner, who has thrown for well over a thousand yards on the season and gives the Bloodhounds a very potent passing attack. His preferred target, Senior Elijah Davis, wears a number 1 on his jersey, a number that the Highlanders defense will need to keep close. That defense includes Sean Major, Jaremiah Anglin, Corey Harris, Jr., Phillipp Davis, Terrell James, Jacaree Taylor, Edwin Denton, and Keshun Anderson.

The Highlanders enter the game ranked 17th in Florida Division 6-A. while Auburndale is ranked 16th. In statewide rankings of all classes compiled by MaxSports the Highlanders come in at number 72, while Auburndale is listed at 61st.

The showdown begins at 7:30 at Legion Field in Lake Wales. It will be the Highlander's final home game of the regular season.