By:  J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola

In a game where St. Cloud needed its defense to come up big, Bulldogs defensive end Jude Crockcroft answered the call.  The 6-3, 245-lb. senior had a monster game in the Soldier City Class, recording three tackles for loss and two quarterbacks sacks in St. Cloud’s 14-7 win over arch-rival Harmony.

“I’ve been telling people all year, I think our defense is under-rated, and Jude has been a big part of it,” Coach Mike Short said.  “He had come up big all year for us and he did again tonight.”

Crockcroft set the tone early in the third quarter, dropping QB Lucas Haddad for a 7-yard loss on a third four play to force a punt.  He also came up with another sack and a big tackle for loss on a screen pass to help stop another drive.

“As a senior you always want to play good, but it especially feels good coming against a big rival,” Crockcroft said. “Since Pee Wee football I’ve been playing against those guys my entire life, so tonight was sweet.”

For the season, Cockcroft took 41 tackles with 12 tackles-for-loss, 8 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries into the game as the led a St. Cloud defense that has allowed just 14 points the last two games.  He hopes to continue that in the last regular season game and help his team secure a playoff win.

Osceola Air Partners with Positively Osceola to Celebrate Local Student-Athletes

Positively Osceola is proud to welcome Osceola Air as the community partner of Positively Osceola’s Osceola Air Player of the Week, helping recognize outstanding high school football student-athletes from across Osceola County throughout the season.

A 100% locally owned and operated company, Osceola Air has deep roots in the community it serves. Founded by lifelong Osceola County resident Zak McMorrow launched in 2014, the St. Cloud-based company has grown from a small local HVAC business into a full-service home comfort company providing air conditioning, heating, plumbing, drain and indoor air quality services throughout Osceola County and surrounding Central Florida communities. Giving back to the communities it serves is also one of Osceola Air’s core values.

OSCEOLA AIR PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Week 1:  Jaden Taylor, St. Cloud

Week 2: Nydrell Thigpen, Gateway

Week 3:  Jason Lewis, Osceola

Week 4: Iran Gonzalez, St. Cloud

Week 5: Dylan Dingle, Gateway

Week 6:  AJ Wise, Tohopekaliga

Week 7:  Eli Manning, St. Cloud

Week 8:  Johnny Reyes, Gateway

Week 9:  Jeremiah Lattier, St. Cloud

Week 10:  Jude Cockcroft, St. Cloud