After Win Against Palm Bay, Highlanders Face Kissimmee Gateway Friday Night

After seeing their District title hopes dashed in a 14-8 loss to Auburndale two weeks ago, the Highlanders came back to best the Palm Bay Heritage Panthers last week by a 37-30 score, setting up a final District 7 battle with Kissimmee Gateway for a possible ticket to the playoffs. Lake Wales is favored over the 2-6 Gateway, confusingly also nicknamed Panthers, who are winless in the tough District 7. The game will kick off at 7:30 pm. this Friday night in Kissimmee.

The Highlanders fell to 6-2 overall with the loss to Auburndale, and have just two games remaining in their regular season. After this week's game in Kissimmee the team will travel to traditional rival Bartow for their final, non-District game.

Auburndale will advance as the undefeated Class 6-A District 7 champions after defeating Melbourne Eau Gallie by a 37-23 score Friday, completing their sweep. In a measure of how closely matched the Highlanders are with the champs, they had previously beaten Eau Gallie by a score of 43-27, reflecting the same 14-point margin.