By:  J. Daniel Pearson

Two intriguing matchups highlight the Week 3 high school football schedule for Osceola County public schools.  All nine teams will be in action this week with only two playing at home.

The first game of high interest is Osceola (1-1) — coming off a 34-7 win over Poinciana — traveling to Lake Mary to take on the defending 6A state champion Rams (1-0).   It will be a huge challenge for the Kowboys, who got their offense on track last week against the Eagles, after scoring just one offensive touchdown in a season-opening 18-15 loss to St. Cloud in its opener.

“We moved some pieces around on our line and they certainly played better than last week, but it’s still a work in progress,” coach Eric Pinellas said.  “We’re still missing starting tackle Will Niell (concussion).  We also need to develop some consistency in our passing game.”

The Kowboys were able to move the ball on the ground last week as they piled up a 200-yard rushing game led by Javontay Barnett (16-110) and sophomore Jerry Canaday (9-66). For a second straight week the defense shined.  They recorded two interceptions, returning one for touchdown, and allowed just a third quarter touchdown on a long pass play.  Special teams did their part too, blocking a punt for a score.

Lake Mary won its season opener last week defeating Oviedo, 24-23, on the strength of a 50-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining in the game.  Although the Rams lost a lot of key players from their state championship team through graduation, Pinellas says it will be a tough test for the Kowboys.  “We both graduated a lot of key pieces, but Lake Mary is always going to be a tough, physical, and well coached team that can throw the ball around,” he says.

The two teams played the last two seasons with the Rams winning 24-7 in 2024 and 17-12 last year.

With both coaches in somewhat of a rebuilding mode, Poinciana (1-1) travels to Harmony (1-1) in Positively Osceola’s featured game of the week.  Both teams are coming off losses, including the host Longhorns who dropped a 27-7 road decision at Victory Christian (Lakeland) last week.

Offensive bright spots for Harmony in that game included K’lani Stout (7 receptions for 94 yards) and fullback Nick Bertaloni (6-60); while Gerald Pifer, Rylan Rogers, Jackson Munns and Saylor Urban had solid defensive games.  The lone Harmony touchdown came on a pick six by Kane Dow.

Coach Tyler Anderson says the keys to this week’s game will be to avoid turnovers.  “Victory recovered two fumbles and recorded two pick-sixes against us.  You’re not going to win many games when that happens,” Anderson said.  “Poinciana has some really talented players, especially on offense.  We need limit their explosive plays and create some turnovers of our own.”

Taron Mallard’s Eagles team simply had trouble moving the ball against Osceola’s defense. Poinciana scored their lone touchdown on a 60-yard pass from Lucas Minenok to Rodney Mallet.

After a trip north to play Marietta, St. Cloud (1-1) returns home this week to face South Sumpter (2-0), an FHSAA Class 3A playoff team from a season ago.  “This is going to be a tremendous challenge for us,” Coach Mike Short said.  “South Sumpter has an attacking defense with a ball control offense that likes to keep the opposing offense off the field.  It will not be easy, but I know our guys will work hard this week and be ready for it.”

As far as the Marietta loss, Short noted “The stadium-like atmosphere was incredible and expected and Coach Duke has a really talented team.”  Short cited the defensive play of JT Wrona (12 tackles) and Colton Sklarek (9 tackles) and the WR/DB Jaden Taylor (2 receptions, 6 tackles, 2 pass defenses).

A touchdown pass from Jeremiah Lattier to Matthew Blenman accounted for the lone St. Cloud score.

Nova Lakes, which opened this year, needed just two games to get Anthony Rivers his first coaching win for the Rattlers, a 25-0 win over Liberty.  Jaden Dionisi’s 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns led the way for Nova Lakes (1-1), who play at Lake Buena Vista (0-2) this week.

“Not going to lie, it felt a little like Christmas last week,” Rivers said.  “The truth is that with a new program, no seniors and so many kids who have never played football before, you sort of feel like an underdog in every game and last week was no exception.  We got off to a fast start, took advantage of some mistakes and were able to win the game.  It was a great morale booster.”

What has been the biggest surprise to Rivers is the improvement his team has not only shown week-to-week but on a day-to-day basis; as well as the pride his players have in representing their new school.  “No question we have gotten better every day but that’s just part of the story.  The school had its first volleyball game on Thursday and almost our entire football team showed up to cheer that team on.  The spirit and pride they have shown has been remarkable.”

Tohopekaliga (1-1) faces Sebastian River (0-2) in the third of four straight road games to open the season.  The Tigers handled Pine Ridge last week – pitching an 18-0 shutout.  Kesean McDuffie scored two touchdowns and Daniel Pena had 10 tackles and pick six for the Tigers.

“We played well on both sides of the ball Friday,” coach Anthony Paradiso said.  “The guys have been working hard and we are just trying to get better every week while having fun playing.”

Gateway (1-0) looks to remain undefeated when it travels to Colonial (1-1) this week.  Head Coach Marlin Roberts was upbeat after his Panthers held on to defeat Lake Minneola, 13-12, last week.  (Read about that game here:  ( Gateway Panthers Hold the Line, Edge Lake Minneola 13-12 in Season-Opening Thriller ).

“I expect another close game this week,” Roberts said.  “Colonial may not be quite as talented as Lake Minneola, but we have a really young team and we are playing one the road for the first time.”

In other action involving county schools. Celebration (0-2) travels to Space Coast (2-1) and Liberty (0-2) plays on the road against Discovery (0-2).

WEEK 3 SCHEDULE

Osceola at Lake Mary

South Sumpter at St. Cloud

Gateway at Colonial

Tohopekaliga at Sebastian River

Celebration at Space Coast

Liberty at Discovery

Poinciana at Harmony

Nova Lakes at Lake Buena Vista