BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School’s football team dropped from the top spot in the Florida High School Athletic Association/MaxPreps Region 2-Class 2A power rankings, but by doing so, the Tornadoes now get to host a first-round playoff game.
The second seed Tornadoes (8-1) will play the seventh seed Villages (5-4) in a Region 2 quarterfinal game on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Bradford had the best record in all of Region 2, but was leapfrogged by two-time defending state champ Cocoa, which is now the number-one seed with a 6-3 record.
The power rankings take into account wins, losses and strength of schedule.
If the Tornadoes defeat The Villages, they’ll host a Region 2 semifinal game against either third seed Newberry (8-2) or sixth seed Palatka (7-3).
Bradford is making its 10th straight playoff appearance and is looking to win a first-round game for the sixth straight year.
The Tornadoes have six first-round wins in the past seven seasons.
This is Bradford’s 25th season in the playoffs. The Tornadoes have a postseason record of 28-22 after going 4-1 and finishing as Class 2S state runner-up to Cocoa last year.
The Villages, which is in its 22nd year as a program (the school opened in 2000), is in the postseason for only the 10th year. The Buffalo have a 4-9 playoff record and have never advanced beyond the regional finals.
The Buffalo missed the playoffs the last two years after qualifying for four straight seasons.
The Villages played against seven teams that finished the regular season with winning records, going 3-4. The wins were 36-24 over Class 6A South Lake, 35-14 over Class 3A Crystal River and 27-26 over Class 3A Mount Dora. The losses were 38-0 to Class 4A Lecanto, 22-0 to Class 3A Tavares, 54-0 to Cocoa and 21-20 to Class 2A Astronaut.
All the teams with winning records that The Villages played qualified for the playoffs.
The Buffalo are scoring an average of 23 points per game, while opponents are averaging 24 points per game.
Offensively, The Villages is averaging 119 passing yards per game. Junior Patrick Harding has completed 42 of 87 passes for 466 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore Jadence Kennedy is 37 of 62 for 562 yards and six touchdowns. Each has thrown two interceptions.
Seniors Jon-Jon Harding and Bradee Powell lead the receivers. Harding has 29 catches for 346 yards and two touchdowns, while Powell has 23 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore Omari Hill has 250 yards and five touchdowns on 12 receptions.
The Buffalo rushing attack, which averages 95 yards per game, is primarily senior Maleek Williams, who has 857 yards and 13 touchdowns on 218 carries.
Two of The Villages’ opponents didn’t record their offensive stats on MaxPreps. Based on the seven who did, opponents are averaging 150 rushing yards per game and 176 passing yards per game.
Senior linebacker Mikeen Harrison leads the team in tackles with 91. Junior linebacker Cole Logan has 77, while junior defensive back Jeremiah Wimes has 60.
The Villages has had 10 players combine for 11 interceptions, led by senior defensive back Xavier Walton, who has two.
Six players have combined to recover 10 fumbles. Senior linebacker Connor Cook has three recoveries.
The Buffalo’s last postseason win was by a 34-6 win over Keystone Heights in the 2021 Class 4A regional semifinals. The Villages, which had a first-round bye, would go on to lose 54-21 to Cocoa in the regional finals.
