Game of the Week: Vanguard at West Port on Sept. 3

Vanguard Dewhitt Betterson jr. (9) makes yards as Vanguard High School shut out Ridgeview 35-0 in Ocala, Florida on Friday November 20, 2020. The game was part of 2020 FHSAA Football State Championships – Class 5A Region 1 and 2 tournament.[Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

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Posted September 3, 2021 | By James Blevins
james@ocalagazette.com

In week two of high school football action, the Vanguard Knights will travel to West Port on Sept. 3 for their first and only scheduled meeting of the 2021-22 regular season.

The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. at West Port High School.

Vanguard finished its 2020 season as the Class 5A Region 2 runner-up with an 8-3 overall record. West Port was 5-3 in 2020, losing its opening game of the Class 8A Region 1 quarterfinals to Spruce Creek (Port Orange).

“Last season [was] interesting,” said Vanguard Head Coach Edwin Farmer, “with the focus being on COVID. [But regardless] we had a remarkable season [going as far as we did].”

On Aug. 27, Vanguard (1-0 overall record) opened its 2021 regular season with a win at home against Gainesville, 30-8, while West Port (0-1) dropped its opening contest to Jesuit, 35-0, also at home.

In Vanguard’s win, defense figured large.

Senior defensive end Jaeyln Williams had seven tackles while junior Dejon McBride recorded one-and-a-half sacks, two tackles and forced a fumble.

Sophomore cornerback Cameron Powell had one interception against the Hurricanes.

With West Port struggling to score points already in 2021, look for Vanguard’s defensive backfield and front-four to bring a formidable challenge to the Wolf Pack’s offense.

In 2020, Vanguard got the better end of the scoreboard against West Port, winning on Oct. 9, 43-6, but that was then, and this is now.

Two new teams, a new season: it makes for an exciting match-up under the Friday Night Lights.

Other area football games on Sept. 3:

Belleview (1-0) at Bronson—7 P.M.

Seabreeze at Ocala Forest (0-1)—7 P.M.

Ocala Trinity Catholic (0-0) at Clearwater Central Catholic—7:30 P.M.

Central at Lake Weir (0-0)—7 P.M.

All Saints’ Academy at Ocala Christian Academy (1-0)—7 P.M.

Bye Week: Dunnellon (0-1) and St. John Lutheran (0-0)

Cancelled: Wakulla at North Marion (1-0)