\u2014 Lennard Football (@LennardFootball) September 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Both teams are 2-0 in their respective districts, making Friday’s game a non-district test before each returns to league play next week.<\/p>\n Here are the key matchups to watch.<\/p>\n Can Lennard Protect Antonio Balaguer?<\/p>\n Few teams have been able to keep Tampa Bay Tech out of the backfield.<\/p>\n The Titans have recorded 24 sacks through six games, led by senior Connor Wills with 6.5. Junior Gabe Ceus has 4.5 sacks, while junior Devaris Daniels has three.<\/p>\n Senior linebacker Rome Freeman leads Tampa Bay Tech with 39 tackles.<\/p>\n That group will test a Lennard offense that leaned heavily on its passing game in last week’s victory over Plant City.<\/p>\n Quarterback Antonio Balaguer completed 15 of 23 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score to Chayse Brown. Brown finished with six catches for 167 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n Lennard managed only 31 rushing yards in the game, making protection particularly important if the Longhorns again need Balaguer to generate most of their offense through the air.<\/p>\n Lennard’s Defensive Front Has Been Producing, Too<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Tech isn’t the only team capable of pressuring quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Lennard has 15.5 sacks through six games, with senior Zyion Hall leading the Longhorns at 5.5.<\/p>\n Junior defensive tackle Trey Knight leads Lennard with 36 tackles and has added 2.5 sacks. Sophomore linebacker Ja’Khi Taylor is right behind him with 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks.<\/p>\n Lennard coach K.B. Belton has singled out Knight for his play this season, and the Longhorns will need another strong performance from their defensive front against a Tampa Bay Tech offense that has scored at least 27 points in every game.<\/p>\n Running back Kesean Smith averages 107.3 rushing yards per game, while sophomore quarterback Martavius Conway Jr. has thrown 12 touchdown passes.<\/p>\n Carlos Lemons has been Conway’s leading receiving threat, averaging 79.7 yards per game.<\/p>\n That balance gives Lennard a different challenge than it has faced during its recent defensive run.<\/p>\n The Longhorns defeated Newsome 28-7, shut out East Bay 35-0 and beat Plant City 19-14. Tampa Bay Tech’s ability to attack through both the running and passing games will test that improvement.<\/p>\n Mekhi Williams Leads Lennard’s Secondary<\/p>\n If Lennard’s defensive front can pressure Conway, the Longhorns have an experienced playmaker behind it.<\/p>\n Senior defensive back Mekhi Williams, a Wisconsin commit, leads Lennard with six passes defended and has recorded 19 tackles through six games.<\/p>\n Williams had two passes defended against both Newsome and Plant City.<\/p>\n His matchup with Tampa Bay Tech’s receivers could become particularly important if the Longhorns force Conway into obvious passing situations.<\/p>\n The challenge for Lennard will be creating those situations without allowing Smith and the Titans’ running game to control the game on early downs.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Tech’s Defense Has Dominated<\/p>\n The Titans have outscored their six opponents 224-44.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Tech opened with victories over Lake Gibson and Sumner before posting consecutive shutouts against Jefferson, 38-0, and Plant, 48-0.<\/p>\n Gaither provided the biggest challenge in a 35-28 Tampa Bay Tech victory. Quarterback Daniel Terry threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns against the Titans, but Tampa Bay Tech intercepted him twice and found a way to remain unbeaten.<\/p>\n The Titans responded by shutting out Bloomingdale 41-0.<\/p>\n Take away the Gaither game and Tampa Bay Tech has allowed just 16 points in its other five contests.<\/p>\n Lennard will try to become the first team to beat the Titans while extending its own winning streak to six games.<\/p>\n After Friday, both teams return to district play. Tampa Bay Tech hosts Armwood in a Class 5A, District 9 matchup on Oct. 9, while Lennard hosts Durant in Class 6A, District 10.<\/p>\n Game Information<\/p>\n Matchup: Tampa Bay Tech (6-0) at Lennard (5-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lennard High School, Ruskin, Florida<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a>