Zach came over here ready to compete for a spot. He understands that we have a few pretty good kids in the program and he is going to have to beat them outright.

Kyle sasser, auburndale head coach

Well, let the games begin. Polk County is shaping up to have a big quarterback year once again. Once the county known for producing elite running backs and producing great running games, the ship is starting to turn. The air is thin in Polk and quarterbacks are shredding it.

Auburndale will be bringing their weapons to shred and a big one will be 2022 quarterback Zach Tanner. Just a season ago, Tanner passed for 3,099 yards and 31 TDs. A transfer coming from Discovery (Lake Alfred, FL) High School, who tossed for 400 plus yards three times last season and eight multi touchdown games.

“Last season I struggled on getting through progressions. I would get stuck on my first read and force a ball that didn’t need to be thrown.” Zach said. During the 2019 season, Tanner threw 15 interceptions. A number he is working to decrease. “Now as I’ve studied a lot of film and worked with coach C.J. & Chip Bennett. I will be much quicker with decision making and things like that. All of my mechanics have also improved a lot and I have gotten much stronger and faster so I should be a much faster decision-maker and football player this year.”

Tanner in 2019 completed .606 percent of his passes for 18.4 yards per completion. He throws with guts and confidence. In a 51-34 win over Avon Park, Tanner ended the game 17 of 24 for 513 yards and 8 passing TDs. “The film shows poise and confidence and he seems to be just that. Calm and comfortable. He didn’t panic a whole lot and kept his eyes downfield when things broke down. The kid has been successful so far in his career because of those things.” – Kyle Sasser.

I thrive on working the hardest and leading by example every day and also being the most prepared so I can put me and my teammates in the best position to win.

Zach Tanner

Graduating senior QB Sabata Bridges was solid last year throwing for 1,308 yards and 6 TDs. However, we expect Tanner to bring another element to a team that went 8-3 just a year ago. “Big expectations this year, I hope I can be the guy to come in and complete this team and lead them to a deep playoff run.” – Zach Tanner.