By: J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola
One week after celebrating a historic victory over Lake Mary, Osceola experienced the other side of high school football Friday night.
Lakeland dominated from the opening possession, holding the Kowboys without a first down in the opening half and allowing just 29 yards of total offense in a decisive 40-6 victory at Markus Paul Stadium.
Osceola’s only points came on Javontay Barnett’s 2-yard touchdown run on the final play of the game. By then, the outcome—and the frustration surrounding it—had long been decided.
For Osceola coach Eric Pinellas, the most troubling part was not simply the lopsided score. It was his team’s inability to match Lakeland’s intensity.
At halftime, Osceola had no first downs and just five yards of total offense. It’s defense – which had played great all season long in holding its opponents to just at 100 yards per game, had been torched for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
“There’s really not a whole lot to say about this one. We knew Lakeland would be athletically gifted, big, physical and well coached,” Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said. “But what was more disappointing to me was the fact that we did not come out and match the intensity that they came out with. The effort was simply not there.”
That was evident from the start. After holding Osceola to a three-and-out to start the game, On Lakeland’s first play from scrimmage, Rashard Kelly ripped off a 10-yard run before Xavion Mitchell took a pitch, got the corner and ran 48-yards past Osceola defenders for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
After the two-play, 58-yard drive things would only get worse.
On the ensuing possession and faced with a third and 10, Osceola coughed up the ball on a sweep and Lakeland recovered on the Kowboys’ 12-yard line. Four plays later quarterback Kelin Hendrix scored from two yards out for a 14-0 lead.
A third touchdown at the start of the second quarter made it 21-0 and only two defensive stands by the Kowboys kept it a three-score deficit at the half.
But any thoughts of a comeback would quickly dissipate when the Dreadnaughts took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and marched 80 yards on just five plays to push the lead to 27-0. Mitchell was the key once again, scoring on a 10-yard run after ripping off a 46-yard run three plays earlier.
Meanwhile Osceola was unable to even pick up a first down until midway through the third quarter and that came with the aid of an off-sides call.
Meanwhile, the Lakeland offense continued to roll. Hendrix made it 40-0 on a 5-yard run on the final play of the third quarter. That triggered a running clock under the FHSAA Mercy Rules. Ironically, it was the first time a Kowboys’ opponent triggered a running clock since Lakeland defeated Osceola, 56-0, 21 years ago.
For the game, Lakeland out-gained Osceola in total offense, 413-29.
“I’ve been asked why we don’t try more options and misdirection,” Pinellas added in frustration. “The problem is that until you can do the basics right, you can’t put that stuff in. Right now we are not doing the basics very well.”
Osceola must now regroup to get ready for another big challenge on Friday, when they travel to Lake Wales to meet the 20th state-ranked (MaxPreps) Highlanders.
Thursday’s Finals
🏈 University 29, Liberty 0
🏈 Freedom 29, Nova Lakes 0
Friday’s Finals
🏈 Lakeland 40, Osceola 6
🏈 St. Cloud 50, Lake Minneola 13
🏈 Gateway 34, Harmony 7
🏈 Tohopekaliga 48, Celebration 0
🏈 Poinciana 21, Ridge Community 6
Positively Osceola’s high school football coverage is made possible by our community business partners: Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Kelvin Soto, Esq.; Orlando Health; Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital; the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections; Huff’s Quality Air Conditioning; the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office; Osceola Air AC & Plumbing Pros; Toho Water Authority; and Starling Chevrolet GMC in St. Cloud.
