It’s been over 15 years since it last happened, but ESPN will be back in Southwest Florida showcasing a local high school football program.
Lehigh Senior will be making its debut on national television as the Lightning will host Lake Gibson in a game that’s scheduled for Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
The Lehigh game will be the first locally televised on ESPN since 2006 when Noel Devine sent shockwaves at North Fort Myers during his high school career. Devine (No. 6 in 2007 ESPN 150) caused YouTube to crash at a point when one of his highlight reels was posted, prompting ESPN to televise a rivalry game against Fort Myers. Devine went for 177 yards and two scores in that game as the Red Knights won 24-6.
“It’s a done deal,” Lehigh head coach James Chaney said last week. “… It’s a blessing. The only other time it’s been done is when Noel Devine of North Fort Myers High did it. That’s my alma mater. I love the Red Knights. For us to be able to play on a national stage to me, it not only promotes Lehigh, but it promotes the area, man.
“We’re just humbled and happy that ESPN could make that happen for us,” Chaney said. “…. We look forward to it, and I hope some kind of way for guys who may not have many offers or may not have any looks, I hope that platform puts them on that stage where somebody makes a call, and says, ‘I want to give that kid a try.’ That’s all our kids are asking for.”
Lehigh 5-star running back Richard Young will have a chance to flex his muscles on the big stage in his final season. The 2021 Southwest Florida Football Offensive Player of the Year had his best season yet, rushing for 1,755 yards with 20 total touchdowns. Ranked 14th on this year’s ESPN 300, Young announced a commitment to Alabama in late July.
Young is perhaps more excited for his teammates, many of who have not committed or are still seeking college offers, to show their skills.
“I’m just ready to showcase my talent on ESPN,” Young said. “But besides me, even if the freshmen that’s on our team, that’s their first time in high school. They can be on ESPN. They can showcase their talent. They can probably get a look at being a freshman because I got looks when I was a freshman. It doesn’t matter what size, height you are.
“Our linebacker, Tyre (Cunningham), coaches doubted him because he was short. If you showcase his talent and do what he does, he can shock the world. Height doesn’t mean nothing, whether you’re 7-foot, or 5-foot-3. It doesn’t matter, man. If you’re a dog, you’re a dog on the inside. We’re all gonna shine on ESPN together and showcase all of our talent. Not just mine, but all of our talent.”
For Lehigh Senior defensive back Tommie Battle IV, he’ll be one of a handful of players who get to close out their high school careers on national television, and expressed a sentiment that numerous players on both squads can relate to when each team takes the field with packed stands and camera crews on the sidelines.
“It would be a big opportunity for many of us on the team, especially the ones who don’t have any looks,” Battle IV said. “It’ll give us a chance to showcase our talent, and our skills on a higher level, and it truly is a blessing because this is something that doesn’t happen to everybody. I really do feel happy that I’ll be able to say I played on ESPN in high school.”