Ruskin, FL – The Lennard Longhorns welcomed the opportunity to host Wharton last night due to field condition in New Tampa preventing Wharton from hosting the game. The weather was great, minus the 30 minute lightning delay midway through the second period. Lennard is coming off their best season in school history as Wharton is attempting to recover from one of their worst. Lots of fireworks in this contest which you will see when the highlights are posted this weekend. Final Lennard 22 Wharton 20.

Good
Wharton – Run game and quick pass game. The Cats did not get fancy. The offensive line overpowered the smaller Longhorn defensive line much of the night. So, they just ran the ball at them with a heavy dose of Miles Williams. 5 yards, 6 yards, 2 yards, then he would bust one for double digits. They stuck to their game plan and it was successful much of the night. The Wildcats were also successful in their 3 step pass game. DeVontres Dukes was the recipient of the majority of Bryce Martin’s passes and caught the ball extremely well.

Lennard – Run game! No secret that The Longhorns like the big play and tossing the ball around the yard. However, RB Jahryn Bailey proved to be the mail man. We don’t have any stats to report to you. Know this, he moved the chains each time he ran the rock. The pass game was ok. Lennard will need to improve their pass protection. But if Bailey can continue to carry the ball 20 times a game and score 3 TDs as he did last night, he will be the “blue pill” teams do not want to swallow.

Bad
Wharton – The secondary. The Wildcat secondary was torched. Not going to elaborate too much. Lennard receivers got open at will, made big time catches and were able to get behind the Wharton back four. Not a good outing for the Wharton defensive backs.

Lennard – Offensive line pass protection. When the Lennard offensive staff looks over the film, the holding calls and lack of foot movement by their offensive line will be their primary concern for practice this week. They will also need to find a solution to help their smaller defensive line versus bigger offensive lines similar to Wharton.

Played Well

Wharton
WR DeVontres Dukes – The only ball he dropped was an interception that would have gone 80 yards to the house. Very dependable and strong after the catch. Had a TD reception for Wharton’s first score. Approached the double digit reception number last night.

RB Mile Williams – Biggest surprise of the night. Ran the ball hard and down hill. Carried defenders and always fell forward. Busted a big run in the third quarter after chopping away at the Longhorn defense prior to.

QB Bryce Martin – Solid night. Tossed a TD pass in the 4th quarter to bring Wharton within 3 points with under 6 minutes to play in the game. Very accurate when throwing the short passes. Efficient.

DT Chase Goode – Played with a lot of energy. Hustle player who was often in the back field. Most disruptive defensive lineman for Wharton last night.

LB Hayden Parks – Held his own in the middle of the defense of Wharton. Tackled well.

Lennard
WR Deshawn Barnes – Put on a show! Wait till you see some of the clips we will have of him available to view later this weekend.

LB Josh Anderson – The Western Kentucky oral commit played like a ticked off killer bee. He was a complete monster running sideline to sideline chasing down ball carriers.

RB Jahryn Bailey – “Baby Bus” needs to be his new nickname. He ran the ball like NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis last night. 3 TD performance which was not his best stat of the night. Need a column “Effort and dependability.” Add “Accountability” while we are at it.

QB Devin Black – Not Black’s best stat night. Over shot a few dudes and his receivers made him look great on a few passes. However, what will not show up on the stat sheet is his pocket presence and his sideline command. Just a sophomore and his pocket awareness is comparable to Sickles senior QB and 3 year starter, Chris Oladokun. The team responds to him and he is vocal. Odd from such a young kid.