By: J. Daniel Pearson
For Positively Osceola
After a rough season where the Longhorns slipped to two wins, Harmony head coach Nick Lippert will find his team in a new district for 2024 – one he considers competitive but fair. “We have been stuck in a district on the East Coast for a long time,”Lippert said. “So to be in the same district with Toho, St. Cloud and Lake Nona is a welcome change in terms of travel. We have a lot of non-district games that I consider toss-up games – how we do in those games will go a long way in determining our success this season.”
A stout running game and an aggressive defense have been the calling card of Harmony for many years and while Lippert still wants to emphasize those aspects, he says his team may open it up on offense a little more this year.
Last year, Harmony averaged less than 10 passes a game with Kal Amen at quarterback. And although Amen returns, he may see more action at wide receiver – giving junior Matt Davis more playing time under center. But the big reason Lippert believes the offense will be more diverse is the emergence of senior WR Ivan Ramos, who also stars in basketball and track for the Longhorns.
“Regardless of the sport, Ivan has always been a sensational athlete. But he has been extremely explosive this spring and summer,” Lippert says. “If our opponents don’t know about him now, they will this fall. With Ivan and a few other guys on the outside, we have a chance to make some plays downfield and need to take advantage of that.”
Still, Harmony has always had solid runners including Tyler Eman and Cooper Richards (Class of 2023) and recently graduated Jeremy Hilliard. Lippert believes that Aiden Wiggins and Ja’kari Ealy are ready to step in that role. An experienced offensive line, featuring Michael Capranica and Jayden Gomez should open holes for the running backs and protect the quarterbacks.
Defensively, Harmony returns two All-County selections in DB Chase Adams and DT Mekhi Ealy. Adams posted 37 tackles, 7 pass defenses, and added three interceptions last year; while Ealy had 43 tackles with 10 tackles-for-loss. Lippert is also high on sophomore linebacker Colton Sklarek, who stepped in as an injury replacement as a freshman and performed admirably in the final seven games of the season. “I really believe Clayton could have a breakout year,” Lippert said. “We threw him in the first last year as a freshman and he handled it really well.” Clayton Williams, another multi-sport athlete, could also provide some senior leadership on Harmony’s young defense.
2024 Schedule
Head Coach: Nick Lippert
Class 7A, District 10
2023 Record: 2-8
- 8/16 at The Villages* 7p.m.
- 8/23 WINDERMERE 7 p.m.
- 8/30 POINCIANA 7 p.m.
- 9/6 at Sebastian River 7 p.m.
- 9/13 BAYSIDE 7 p.m.
- 9/20 at Lake Howell 7 p.m.
- 9/27 at Tohopekaliga** 7 p.m.
- 10/4 Bye Week
- 10/10 LAKE NONA* 7 p.m.
- 10/18 at Celebration 7 p.m.
- 10/25 ST. CLOUD** 7 p.m.
- 11/1 at Colonial 7 p.m.
*Kickoff Classic
**District Game
