By:  J. Daniel Pearson

Osceola Football is one game short of playing for a state title.  To get there, the Kowboys (11-2) will have to go on the road Friday night and beat Gainesville Buchholz (10-3) in a Class 6A State Semifinal Game.  The winner will advance to next week’s FHSAA Championship game at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida Atlantic campus.

Here is preview of that game, as well as a look around the county in high school sports.

FOOTBALL

For the second time in three years, Osceola will play a football game in December with a goal of getting to a state championship game. Head coach Eric Pinellas hopes the result will be different this time, after his squad dropped a heart-breaking 14-7 decision to eventual state champion Lakeland in 2023.

Osceola (11-2)  reached this point with a solid 17-7 over previously undefeated Armwood on Friday night in the 6A, Region 3 Championship game (read about it here:  https://www.positivelyosceola.com/osceola-kowboys-advance-to-final-four-with-gritty-17-7-regional-championship-win-over-armwood/ )  While Buchholz (10-3) got by Oakleaf 25-19.

If Osceola is to move on, they will have to find a way to contain Bobcats star player Justin Williams.  A talented athlete that can lineup at both wide receiver and running back, the 5-10, 180-lb. speedster has 71 receptions for 1232 yards and 10 touchdowns and has also rushed 86 times for 904 yards and 10 scores.  The Bobcats have two other two dangerous players on the perimeter, including DJ Hicks (60 receptions-936 yards-7 touchdowns) and Keil McGriff (25-539-5).  

Starting at quarterback for Buchholz is Trace Johnson, who has thrown for more than 3000 yards and 26 touchdowns this year with just nine interceptions.  All four offensive standouts for Buchholz are juniors.

Defensively, the Bobcats have been scored on this season, allowing opponents 20.2 points per game.   Their top defensive players include DL Nick Clayton, safety RJ Livingston and corner Chris Johnson. 

“It’s going to be a tremendous challenge,” Pinellas said about Friday night’s game at Buchholz.  “They have a really balanced team that can both throw and run the ball.  Defensively, they are not as physical as Armwood, but they are sound.”

Osceola will counter with its vaunted running game and a stingy defense that is allowing just over 10 points per game.  Osceola hopes to control the clock with its trio of top running backs, including Taevion Swint (1600 yards and 24 touchdowns), Jeff Sinophat (97-835) and Elijah Hixson (134-636).  The Kowboys are averaging just under300 yards rushing; while scoring 42 touchdowns on the ground this year.

Led by DL Amier Clarke (9 QS) and LB Robert Lee (16 TFL), Osceola’s front seven has recorded 32 quarterback sacks and 42 additional Tackles-For-Loss and has allowed just one team to rush for over 100 yards this season.

“The plan is simple, run the ball, keep possession and control the clock,” Pinellas said.  “We want to get off to a fast start and try to make them one dimensional. Our defense has played extremely well the past couple of week and we need to keep that aggressive, physical edge.”

Both teams enter the game on hot streaks and have not lost since September.  Osceola had won eight in a row since an overtime loss to Jones in Week 5; while the Bobcats have won seven in a row.

Football Schedule

FRI:  FHSAA 6A Semi-Final  Osceola at Buchholz, 7:30 p.m., Citizen’s Field, Gainesville, FL

BOYS BASKETBALL

Six of the eight county teams were playing at .500 or above in the early going, including undefeated St. Cloud (4-0) and Osceola (3-0).   St. Cloud kept undefeated season alive with a thrilling 62-61 win over Colonial; as Alex Springs scored 16 points and Malaki Baker added 12 and game-high 11 rebounds.  

Osceola’s Jordan Mason scored 19 and Luke McCrimon added 18 in the Kowboys’ 59-48 road win over Ocala Vanguard.  Down county, both Liberty and Poinciana got off to 2-0 starts.  Top games this week include Lake Highland Prep (3-0) at St. Cloud on Tuesday, Gateway (2-1) at Liberty on Wednesday and a big matchup between Dr. Phillips at Osceola, Thursday.

Boys Basketball Schedule

TUESDAY
 Taveras at Celebration

Liberty at Heritage Christian

Lake Highland Prep at St. Cloud

Harmony at Haines City

Gateway at City of Life Christian Academy

Four Corners at Poinciana

WEDNESDAY
St. Cloud at Horizon

Gateway at Liberty

Tohopekaliga at Merritt Island

THURSDAY
  Dr. Phillips at Osceola

Poinciana at Lake Nona

Celebration at Teneroc

FRIDAY
 Bishop Moore at Poinciana

Trinity Lutheran at Liberty

Bayside at Celebration

Tohopekaliga at Lake Buena Vista

Gateway at Eau Gallie 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

After getting blown out at Palm Bay in its second game of the season, St. Cloud improved to 4-1 on the year with three consecutive wins over Master’s Academy, Oviedo and Key West.  Behind 28 points from freshman Ashlynn Day and 12 points and eight assists from Alyssa Mario, Gateway blew out Rockledge, 67-4.  Six of the eight county teams were at .500 or above through week 2.

Girls Basketball Schedule

MONDAY
Mater Brighton Lakes at Tohopekaliga

TUESDAY
St. Cloud at First Academy

Harmony at Winter Springs

Gateway at City of Life Christian Academy

Poinciana at Tohopekaliga

Celebration at Trinity Prep

WEDNESDAY
 Harmony at Heritage

Osceola at Poinciana

THURSDAY
 Osceola at St. Cloud

Oviedo at Gateway

Celebration at Winter Springs

Liberty at Poinciana

FRIDAY
 Harmony at St. Cloud

Eau Gallie at Gateway

Celebration at Melbourne

Boys’ Soccer

Gateway (5-0-0) and St. Cloud (3-1-1) were both off to great starts and they meet on the Bulldog campus on Tuesday night in a match that will help establish the pecking order for the OBC Championship.  As always Celebration (3-1-1) is also off to a solid start and those three teams are all solid contenders for the OBC crown.  Individually, Victor Mora has scored five times for the Storm this year; while Jose Calderon has four tallies for the Panthers.  

Boys Soccer Schedule

MONDAY
 Oak Ridge at Tohopekaliga

TUESDAY
 Osceola at Poinciana

Gateway at St. Cloud

Liberty at Cornerstone

WEDNESDAY
 Poinciana at Harmony

THURSDAY
Celebration at Osceola

Ridge at Poinciana

Windermere Prep at St. Cloud

FRIDAY

Gateway at Harmony

Timber Creek at Tohopekaliga

GIRLS SOCCER

Celebration (5-2-1) appears to be the team to beat as teams get ready for next week’s Orange Belt Conference Tournament.  St. Cloud (2-1-0), Harmony (3-2-1) and Tohopekaliga (3-2-0) could also be in the mix.

Girls Soccer Schedule

MONDAY

Ridgeview Global Academy at Liberty

TUESDAY
 Forest Lake at Osceola

Lake Buena Vista at Harmony

WEDESDAY
Cocoa Beach at Tohopekaliga

THURSDAY
 Pine Ridge at Tohopekaliga

Victory Christian at Celebration

Mulberry at Liberty

Lake Mary at Harmony

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