Austin Downey

VHS Girls Soccer Head Coach
- I can do this all day -

[Austin Downey @AustinDowney]

Ready to get to work 💪🏼‼️

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

The Villages High School announced Austin Downey as its next girls soccer head coach Friday in Middleton. Read all about the move here: https://t.co/eTHVtDgz3W

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

GAMEDAY! VHS Volleyball is back on the court tonight at 7 p.m. on the road at Gainesville.
🎟️: https://t.co/6iMV8e2S74

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

BUFFALO WIN! VHS Volleyball returns to the win column with a sweep of Meadowbrook Academy in Middleton!

[Arsenal @Arsenal]

Securing victory on the road 🛣️

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

GAMEDAY! The Buffalo volleyball team hits the road to The City Beautiful to take on The First Academy.

[VHS Football @VHSFootballFBT]

Big plays in front of a big crowd for a big win! The Buffalo start the season 1-0 with a 31-14 victory over Zephyrhills. VHS will return to action Sept. 4 at home against South Lake.

[VHS Football @VHSFootballFBT]

It's GAMEDAY! The regular season kicks off tonight as the Buffalo take on Zephyrhills.
🎟️: https://t.co/PaMTAryIgd
📺: https://t.co/tm7ozLVl6Z

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

VHS Volleyball takes the show on the road and picks up yet another sweep to improve to 3-0 this season!

[VHS Football @VHSFootballFBT]

HEY COACH: Retired football coaches from all levels are encouraged to call the VHS front office at 352-259-3777 to receive free admission (plus a guest) to tomorrow night's game against Zephyrhills.

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

BUFFALO WIN! We come out victorious over Mount Dora. Our sights will turn to Foundation Academy on Thursday.

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

It's GAMEDAY! Day 2, Game 2 of the season for the Buffalo tonight against Mount Dora.
🎟️: https://t.co/N0JPfnWDzl
📺: https://t.co/38a6UI34km

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

W's in the chat! The Buffalo start the season off 1-0 with a sweep of Vanguard. They'll be home again tomorrow night (6 p.m.) against Mount Dora.

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

It's GAMEDAY! The 2026-2027 Volleyball season gets under way tonight as we take on Vanguard.
🎟️: https://t.co/aqOkUpCLqo
📺: https://t.co/REaeCcGHFM

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

NEWS: Just in time for the start of 2026-27 sports calendar today, VHS Athletics and its in-house network, TVCS Live, announced a new livestreaming partnership with the NFHS Network. Read how you won't miss a minute of the action here: https://t.co/8fnrYwJK5F

[Austin Downey @AustinDowney]

COYG!!! Great start!!!

[Austin Downey @AustinDowney]

Congratulations on your retirement Jenko!

[Carl Jenkinson @carljenkinson]

Thank you to everyone who played a part in my journey, from my Charlton days as a kid through to my last time playing football at Bromley. From the age of 8 football has been my life, it’s given me a lot, and I have also given it a lot back. In fact I’ve given it everything.

It’s for that reason that I can write this looking back over my career with no regrets. Do I wish certain things went better? Without a doubt. A lot of things. I once scored an own goal from 30 yards out. I certainly wouldn’t mind deleting that from history. But were these bad or difficult moments ever because of a lack of effort? No. Like I said, I gave football everything. Everyday.

And I guess I’m writing this because I can see that’s getting lost a bit these days. I don’t know if it’s social media painting a certain picture of what a footballer looks like, but I want to be clear, behind the scenes these top players train like their life depends on it. Alexis Sánchez, wow. Every training session he trained like it was his last. The ones that don’t, they fall by the way side eventually. Even when they’re really, really good. I’ve seen it happen to too many young pros and scholars, trying to make a name in the game.

Apply yourself everyday, listen to your coaches and learn from the players who have already been where you want to get to. Because if you don’t make it, and it’s because you got carried away with yourself, it’ll be a heavy burden to carry later in life.

I suffered a lot with confidence throughout my career, which I found strange because my Dad always backs himself to the hilt. I saw loads of people, to try and unlock something within me and find that inner belief. “Take the chains off” Arsène Wenger would say to me. “I’m trying boss”, I would say to myself. But I’m certain it was that same insecurity that gave me the drive I have, that would make me run harder and train harder than everyone else. Ultimately that’s what gave me a career at the top level, because physically I was a machine and I took a lot of pride in that. Was the way I am a blessing or a curse for me? A bit of both I think. But you can only play the cards you’re dealt and try and make the best of them.

I’m writing all this because I hope some young players might read it. You guys have so much confidence these days! I wish I could nick some of it and take it back in time, but confidence without application and having that fire in your belly to improve everyday won’t get you far. I see less young players doing extras, working on their craft, doing extra running after training. Trust me, you won’t have a career if you neglect this aspect.

Try and find the sweetspot. That’s why I love guys like Bukayo Saka. He’s got that swagger, but you only need to listen to him in a post match interview to see he’s never lost his humility. Find the sweetspot.

Hopefully the above has some value to someone out there. I didn’t want to write the generic retirement ‘thanks for everything’ post as it seemed like a missed opportunity. Although of course I am very grateful to my friends, family, coaches, managers and of course the fans who have been with me on my journey. I’m looking forward to seeing what life has in store for me next.

Cheers,
Jenko

[VHS Football @VHSFootballFBT]

Now THAT is how you start. 😤 @bnorflee1

[VHS Football @VHSFootballFBT]

FINAL: The Villages 27, Land O' Lakes 17.

Tranard Roberts scores twice on the ground and Bryce Norflee adds two more touchdowns, as the Buffalo now look ahead to the 2026 season opener next Friday night at home against Zephyrhills.

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

It's GAME DAY! Tonight is the Fall Classic against Land O' Lakes.
🎟️: https://t.co/oNBlrMKj00
📺: https://t.co/ThLOepshcF

[Russell Westbrook @russwest44]

Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.

You had to be there. And now it’s over.

[VHS Athletics @VillagesBuffalo]

VHS Volleyball picks up a pair of preseason victories over Weeki Wachee and The Rock tonight in Middleton!