By J. Daniel Pearson
For Positively Osceola
Anticipation, question marks and excitement will all be in play when the 2024 high school regular season opens next week (Aug. 23) for all eight Osceola County public teams. This Friday is the preseason kickoff (Kickoff Classic), and Positively Osceola will be out covering some of the exciting LIVE action!
Three programs are in position to post big years.
Those three teams include St. Cloud, which won 15 games in the last two years and will have a senior-laden class and a favorable schedule as they continue to build momentum under third-year head coach Mike Short. Osceola, won a district title and made the playoffs last year, but had its first non-winning season (4-6) in the last two decades due to some key injuries while tackling the most difficult schedule in the state. Although playing another difficult slate, the Kowboys have the talent to return to the winning side in 2024. Tohopekaliga’s Anthony Paradiso continues to build the Tiger program in his third season and calls his 2024 team the most “athletically gifted” in his tenure.
Three programs that have traditionally struggled are making strides under new leadership.
After going 0-10 and scoring just two touchdowns all season in 2022, Liberty won two games and averaged more than 10 point a game under first-year coach Dee Hart last season despite dressing less than 30 players per game. First-year head coaches Taron Mallard (Poinciana) and Chris Blanton (Celebration) have taken positive steps in their programs during spring football and the summer, and all three coaches believe their programs are headed in the right direction.
Harmony, long known for its running game and tough defense, looks to rebound from last year’s 2-8 season under Nick Lippert; while veteran coach Marlin Roberts has some outstanding athletes as he begins his 17th year as head coach of the Panthers.
If you are not a fan of any particular team, there are many entertaining games this season that should draw the interest of the casual sports fan. Here are the 10 In-County “Can’t Miss” games of the upcoming season:
Treasure Coast at Osceola, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.
The “Can’t Miss” games start in Week 1 this year as Osceola hosts Treasure Coast in a contest of two perennial state playoff teams. The Kowboys beat Treasure Coast twice in 2022—winning in the regular season and then again in the playoffs; while the Port St. Lucie school manhandled Osceola twice last season – winning 22-8 in the regular season and 28-0 in the playoffs on its way to a 9-3 season and regional runner-up finish. It will be a great test for Osceola, who once again will face one of the top schedules in the state.
South Dade at Osceola, Sept. 6
These two schools have a storied wrestling rivalry but have met few times on the gridiron. Although a non-district game, this contest could have big post-season implications for the Kowboys. Under current rules, even district champions are not guaranteed a home game in the playoffs, as that is determined by strength of schedule. South Dade (8-4, regional semifinalist) is one of seven regular non-district games Osceola will play against 2023 playoff teams. If they repeat as district champions, Osceola will have to win its share of these battles to insure getting a playoff game or two at home.
Hagerty at Tohopekaliga, Sept. 6
Although the Tigers have won six games in each of the last two seasons, they have struggled a bit against physically dominant teams. Paradiso acknowledged that from Day 1 of his first season– stating that Tohopekaliga had to get bigger and stronger. Now as he begins his third year, he has seen that progress in the weight room. This Week 3 game with Hagerty will tell him how far his team has progressed, as the Huskies have made the post-season for the last two years and should provide that physical opponent.
Osceola at St. Cloud, Sept. 13
The Kowboys and Bulldogs are one of the oldest rivalries in the state and they will meet for the 101st time. Although the series has been one-sided of late (counting a 2010 forfeit, Osceola has won the last 19 games and leads the all-time series 68-28-4) it still significant to many of the county residents that have seen five generations of relatives play in this game. Bulldog head coach Mike Short bristles at the suggestion that the series should be dropped. “While Harmony has become our biggest rival, this game is still important to a lot of people and it needs to be played,” Short said. “Tradition still means something to me and most sports fans and what sort of lesson are we trying to teach when we tell our athletes, it’s okay to quit when things are hard? “
Jones at Osceola, Sept. 20
Although in a smaller classification, Jones has been an FHSAA State Power for a long, long time, going 46-12 and advancing to the state semifinals in each of the last four years. Osceola played Jones tough on the road last year (28-20 loss) and will look to avenge that loss at home this year. This is another non-district game that could significantly impact playoff seeding.
Harmony at Tohopekaliga, Sept. 28
These two teams met for the third time last year, with Harmony pulling off a 23-14 win to go to 3-0 all-time against the Tigers. This budding rivalry takes on new importance this year, as these two schools are paired with St. Cloud and Lake Nona in the same district – giving this mid-season game definite playoff implications.
Celebration at Liberty, Oct. 4
This game makes our Top 10, as second-year Chargers Coach Dee Hart and first-year Storm Coach Chris Blanton continue to build their programs. It is the type of game, both programs need to win to build momentum. Liberty has won five of the last six in the series, including a 17-14 thriller last year.
St. Cloud at Gateway, Oct. 4
Although St. Cloud has dominated of late (four consecutive wins), this has been a fairly spirited and friendly cross-town rivalry. Prior to 2020, Gateway had won four of the previous six games. Given the season both teams are coming off of, a Panther win might be a tall ask – but if Gateway is healthy, anything can happen in a game like this.
Lake Nona at Harmony, Oct. 10
New district opponents clash at “The Ranch,” in a game that could have playoff implications. Both coaches are in their second year (Nick Lippert-Harmony; David Aubrey-Lake Nona) and are looking to reverse sub .500 seasons.
Tohopekaliga at St. Cloud, Oct. 18
Two teams with high expectations for the 2024 season meet in Week 9 and it could very well be for the Class 7A, District 10 Championship. Toho quarterback Sabby Meassick directed Tiger wins over St. Cloud in both his freshman (47-6) and sophomore (41-19) seasons to hand St. Cloud (15-6) two of their last six losses. Bulldogs head coach Mike Short felt both games should have been a lot closer, citing the numerous early game turnovers and mistakes his team made. “Harmony may be our top rival, but this game is gaining juice, especially given how we lost the last two. Since we are now in the same district, it becomes even bigger,” Short said.
Poinciana at Liberty, Oct. 25
For 16 years, Liberty dominated the Battle of the Boulevard – winning all 16 games often in lop-sided fashion. Poinciana started to breathe new life in the series, pounding out a 56-0 win in 2022 and following it with a 35-8 win last year to start its own winning streak. It is without question the biggest and most important game on both team’s schedule. It is the type of game and atmosphere that will grab your attention, regardless of the record of the two participating teams.
