Leesburg, Fla. — Leesburg High School delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating their rivals, Eustis High, 64-6 in a one-sided football matchup.

Senior quarterback Xavier Irizarry led the charge for the Yellow Jackets, completing 14 of 21 passes for 209 yards and five touchdowns. Irizarry, who was in complete control throughout the game, spread the ball efficiently and avoided turnovers, showcasing his precision which he has all year long.

(Leesburg Quarterback Xavier Irizarry drops back to pass. He would have 5 touchdowns and 209 yards passing.)

His favorite target of the night was wide receiver James Benton, who hauled in 7 catches for 83 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman standout Lamar Garrison also made a big impact with two receptions for 73 yards, including a long touchdown catch.

Leesburg’s offensive dominance didn’t stop in the air. Carlos Villalongo was a force on the ground, rushing for 118 yards on 14 carries and scoring three touchdowns, keeping the Eustis defense on its heels all night.

(Leesburg Head football coach Frank Scott has been nothing short of spectacular. His teams are outscoring opponents 158-12 this year!)

“We came in with a game plan, and the guys executed it perfectly,” said Leesburg head coach Frank Scott. “Xavier was outstanding, and Carlos and our receivers made the big plays when we needed them.”

Leesburg’s defense also smothered the Eustis Panthers, limiting their opportunities and allowing only a single touchdown late in the game. Jalen Brown had a pick six for a touchdown. The reliable senior is having a huge year and even included an 80 yard kickoff return for a touchdown two weeks ago. The victory strengthens the Yellow Jackets’ position in the district standings and fuels their playoff hopes as the season progresses. The biggest game of the year comes up this Friday night against Vanguard from Ocala. Whoever wins will control their destiny for the district championship in 2024.

For Eustis, the loss was a bitter blow in the long-standing rivalry, as they struggled to find answers on both sides of the ball. It’s no secret that Eustis was dealt a bad hand to begin the season. I want to give a shoutout to all the kids on Eustis who have gone out and given it they’re all despite the tough circumstances. We love all our Lake & Sumter county programs and hope they can rally this season as they look towards the future.

With the win, Leesburg improves to 3-0 on the season and will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Vanguard who are coming in at 2-1. Eustis drops to 0-3.