By: J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola
As Nova Lakes High School begins its inaugural year, head coach Anthony Rivers is embracing the excitement of building Osceola County’s newest football program from the ground up — with a young Rattlers team that has already gotten its first taste of game action in the preseason but still faces a steep learning curve in its first varsity season.
Brand new school and facilities, a supportive administration, a large turnout for the first week of fall practice and a group of young men with unbridled enthusiasm for the game.
But Rivers is also a realist and knows it will not be an easy first year. “We have decent numbers, but what we lack is experience. Of the 65 players we opened fall camp with, we have maybe seven guys that have played varsity of junior varsity football before,” Rivers said. “In fact, a lot of our players have never participated in football at any level. It’s going to be a steep learning curve for these guys.”
When district lines were drawn from the new school, Nona Lakes was expected to draw students that were enrolled mainly from Harmony and Tohopekaliga. But two caveats existed. First, no rising seniors would be asked to transfer. Secondly, school choice meant that any student – including athletes – could remain at their school if space existed –resulting in few players with football experience enrolling,
In the end, Rivers was given a first-year squad with practically zero football experience.
Rivers says the situation has caused him to make some adjustments in his coaching style. “As a coach, there’s going to be things that are non-negotiable, you can’t have any wiggle room on your basic principles,” he said. “But when dealing with athletes still trying to learn the sport, you do have handle them a little different. Not really lower your expectations but realize they are not going to grasp every play and concept immediately. You have to be patient with them because its more of a teaching environment.”
Although his squad is vastly inexperienced, Rivers says some talent has started to emerge. OL/DL Elijah Johnson transferred in from Osceola and has already been named a team captain. Wide receivers Abdiel Alicea and Ricky Reed have captured the attention of coaches; as have Victor Herrard (Athlete), Jeremiah Johnson-Wallace (OL/DL) and Ivan Upshaw (LB).
Angelo Daddona is expected to be earn the starting position at running back but could see action of several positions and Joshua Rodriguez took camp reps as the starting quarterback.
“We’re going to try to put our best team on the field and for at least the first year that means some guys are going to have to play both ways,” Rivers noted. “My guess is that we may have as many as five two-way starters. It’s not an ideal situation but a necessary one.”
Nova Lakes Rattlers
Coach: Anthony Rivers
2025 Record: New School
8/14 Pine Ridge^ 7 p.m.
8/21 Palm Bay 7 p.m.
8/28 at Liberty 7 p.m.
9/4 at Lake Buena Vista 7 p.m.
9/11 Freedom 7 p.m.
9/18 at Colonial 7 p.m.
9/24 Gateway 7 p.m.
10/1 Bye Week
10/9 at Oak Ridge 7 p.m.
10/16 at Cypress Creek 7 p.m.
10/23 Innovation 7 p.m.
10/30 University 7 p.m.
^ Kickoff Classic Exhibition
