By: J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola
While the final score indicates a close game, those in attendance would be hard-pressed not to say Osceola was dominant team in their 20-13 win over Melbourne in the Class 5A, Region 2 playoffs on Friday night.
How so?
–Osceola dominated possession time, chewing up nearly 15 minutes of clock time on just two drives.
–The Kowboys had to settle field goal rather than a touchdown in the first quarter after a highly questionable holding penalty that occurred deep in the backfield, with the flag coming out well after it the ball carrier had crossed the goal line.
–Melbourne’s first touchdown came on a short field. They would not score again until 18 seconds remained in the game.
–The Kowboys defense came up with four quarterback sacks, an interception and a blocked extra point – while holding Melbourne’s offense to just 13 points and 230 yards, 27 points and 150 yards below their season average.
“They are a really solid team,” Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said of Melbourne who came into the contest with an 8-2 record. “But the truth is we did not feel they played the level of competition we did this year and we felt if we could run the ball, play great defense and limit their possessions, we had a good chance of winning the game.”
That scenario played out to a “T” for the Kowboys.
Melbourne got just three possessions in the first half and just four in the second.
Osceola drew first blood on a 36-yard field goal by Brayden Buehler after the mysterious holding call. Buehler’s ensuing kickoff came up just one yard short of finding the end zone and a 49-yard return by Tyrese Jefferson game the Bulldogs great field position at the 50. Jefferson would run the ball five times for 25 yards, quarterback Will Reinhold completed a 24-yard pass on a fourth and nine play before Liam Hudson ran it in from the seven for Melbourne’s only lead of the game, 6-3.
A possession later, Osceola’s rush forced a shanked punt that gave the Kowboys the ball on the positive side of the field with 1:42 remaining. Quarterback Javontay Barnett hit tight end Jason Lewis on a 33-yard pass to the two and with 18 seconds on the clock and no time outs remaining, sophomore Zylin Garrett ran it in for a 10-6 halftime lead.
Osceola’s defense and running game would take over in the second half. Taking over on its own 21 with six minutes to go in the third, the Kowboys went on a 13-play, 79-yard drive capped by Garrett’s second touchdown run of the game on a fourth and one play.
Amir Davis intercepted Reinhold on Melbourne’s next possession and Buehler connected again from 29-yards to extend the lead to 20-6. Osceola’s defense came up with another big stop but on its last possession the Bulldogs went 85 yards to score and cut the lead to seven at 20-13 with just 18 seconds remaining. That score was aided by three Osceola penalties for 33 yards, including a dead ball personal foul after a third down-play left Melbourne looking at a fourth and 15.
“It was a one score game but realistically if we don’t allow that long kickoff return and don’t have those stupid penalties on their last drive we may have pitched a shutout,” Pinellas said.
The Kowboys rushed for 195 yards on 42 carries, including 80 by Garrett – a sophomore- and 70 by freshman Toreyon Gibson. Barnett was three for four passing for 62 yards and had 36 yards rushing.
“Our young running backs have grown up a lot in the last couple of weeks and Javontay Barnett had another amazing day in only his third career start at quarterback. Our offensive line played well, we won the special teams game, and our defense played lights out,” Pinellas said. “A lot of people were saying we didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs, but I think we dispelled that notion tonight.”
The victory puts Osceola (4-7) in a Friday regional semifinal with top-seeded Oviedo, a 57-30 winner over Bartow. The Lions will come into the game averaging almost 43 points per game, including nearly 50 points per game in their last six contests. “Greg (Oviedo coach Greg Odierno) has put together an explosive offensive team, and we will be the underdogs” Pinellas said. “But we work hard this week, go up there and give them our best shot. We’re happy playing in Week 2 of the playoffs.”
Score by Quarters
Melbourne 0 6 0 7 –13
Osceola 3 7 0 10 –20
Scoring:
1st Quarter:
O: Brayden Buehler 36 FG
2nd Quarter:
M: Liam Hudson 7 run (Kick blocked)
O: Zylin Garrett 2 run (Buehler kick)
3rd Quarter:
None
4th Quarter:
O: Garrett 1 run (Buehler kick)
O: Buehler 29 FG
M: Howard DeWitt 24 pass from Tyrese Jefferson (Liam Thies kick)
