By: J. Daniel Pearson
When it comes to the FHSAA high school playoffs, Osceola’s annual rallying cry is “One More Monday.”
Began by former head coach Doug Nichols, “One More Monday” represents the start of another week of post-season practice, which is only becomes possible if the team wins the week before. If the Kowboys (10-2) are to get “One More Monday” next week, they are going to have to get by a tough Armwood (12-0) team on the road.
Kickoff for the Class 6A, Region 2 Championship Game at Traz Powell Stadium (aka “The Mecca”) in Seffner, Fla. is 7:30 p.m. Friday night.
“No question, it’s going to be a tough test for us,” Osceola Coach Eric Pinellas said. “But that’s why we play tough regular season schedules each year. No matter which team we play in the post-season they are probably not a whole lot better than a team we played in the regular season. There will be no intimidation factor.”
Osceola saw nine of its 10 regular season opponents make the playoffs this season. Two of them (Lake Mary and Jones) are also playing in regional finals.
Although playing tough teams is nothing new to Pinellas and his charges, Armwood has been a dominating team this season and will present a stern test for the Kowboys. They are averaging more than 40 points a game, are giving up less than seven a contest, and have posted six shutouts.
In 10 regular season games for the undefeated Hawks, only one was decided by less than 20 points (a 31-27 win over Tampa Tech in September). They destroyed Melbourne (49-0) in the opening round but did need two fourth quarter touchdowns to slip past Plant (21-17) in the regional semifinals.
The Hawks are led offensively by junior quarterback Rhys Brush, senior running back Girard Pringle and receivers Tyler Williams, Tyler Tuel and Kendrick Ford. Pringle averages 9.0 yards per carry (147-1190) and has rushed for 19 touchdowns; while Brush is a 62% passer, who has thrown for 2256 yards and 36 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Wide receivers Williams (796 yards, 10 TD) and Ford (287, 2 TD) and tight end Tuel (587 yards, 11 TDs) are his favorite targets.
“They like to establish the run by pounding the ball with Pringle,” Pinellas said of Armwood. “When they establish that and force the defense to put eight in the box, they are really efficient at going play action and going over the top to those receivers. Pringle is a really good back, their receivers are athletic, and Brush is an accurate passer. Overall, they are very comparable in offensive talent to Jones (a team Osceola lost to in overtime this year).”
Defensively, the Hawks are led by a dominating defensive line that includes Jordan Bellamy, Cameron White and Greg Lott. The trio has combined for 26 quarterback sacks and 57 additional tackles-for-loss this season. Kellen Wiley (13 TFL, 75 tackles) is their top linebacker and Olontae Dean (4) leads and experienced secondary that has intercepted 19 passes this season.
Osceola will try to counter with its vaunted running game, led by Taevion Swint. Although his workload has been limited because of nagging injuries, Swint has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging just over 11 carries per game, he has amassed 1438 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. His 10+ yards per carry is a career high. Jeff Sinophat and Elijah Hickson have combined for almost 1400 rushing yards and touchdowns to round out Osceola’s triple option running attack.
Osceola’s defense, particularly is run defense, has been solid this year. The Kowboys have allowed just one, one-hundred yard rusher this season and is giving up just 70 yards per game. Eight times this season, the Kowboys defense has held an opponent to under 10 points.
“They play solid defense and like to run the ball, we play solid defense and like to run the ball,” Pinellas said. “The keys to the game are pretty simple. We need to control the ball, move the chains and limit their possessions,” Pinellas said. “If we can get off to a fast start and play from ahead, that would be helpful.”
With a win Friday, Osceola would face the victors of the Region 1 Championship game between Gainesville Bucholz (8-3) and Oakleaf (8-3) next Friday night. The FHSAA state championships will be held at Pitbull Stadium the following week in Ft. Lauderdale.
