In terms of being a bitter rivalry, the St. Cloud –Osceola game has lost a little of its luster over the last two decades. Still, the schools will meet on Friday for the 101st playing of “The Game,” the fifth-oldest football rivalry in Florida and one of the 20 longest running continuous rivalries in the United States. Kickoff at Tom Gannarelli Field is set for 7:30 p.m.
There’s many reasons why this game does not drawn the interest that it has in the past. When Harmony opened in 2004, it took a large portion of
St. Cloud’s students—diluting the football talent zoned for the school. As the years rolled by, the Longhorns—and their close proximity to St. Cloud High combined with the fact that many students zoned for Harmony grew up playing in St. Cloud youth sports program—began replacing Osceola as the Bulldogs main rival. Added to that fact is that in the last 20 years, there has been a real competitive imbalance between the two schools as St. Cloud remained a solid program but Osceola became a state power.
St. Cloud last won on the field in 2010 (41-35), a win they would later forfeit due to suiting up ineligible players. Osceola has won the last 13 in a row on the field, and during that streak its average margin of victory has been 33.6 points. Overall, the Kowboys lead the all-time series 69-27-4.
“Without us being competitive on the field the last decade or so, it’s hard to consider this a rivalry right now,” St. Cloud Athletics Director Bryan Smart. “But I know the history of the game and I know what it means to the community on both sides.”
Although Osceola (2-1) will be favored to win Friday, Kowboys’ Coach Eric Pinellas said there is no way his team will be taking the game lightly.
“We have players who dads have played in this game and we have athletes who have had their grandfathers play in this game,” Pinellas said. “Trust me, they will be reminded constantly this week their family members on the importance of this game.”
Pinellas, who played in the game himself for Osceola (198689, the teams split the four games), added that he has already noticed a lot of social media “chirping” on both sides and says his team “will be focused to play” on Friday.
Osceola has already played three playoff teams from 2023 this season, picking up impressive wins over Treasure Coast and South Dade; while St. Cloud is also 2-1—dropping their first game of the year to Poinciana last week, 19-7.
St. Cloud’s best chances in the contest will be to find a way to keep the game close until the fourth quarter—a task that may be difficult given Osceola’s strong running game and stingy defense.
The Kowboys allowed just seven points each in their victories, with Treasure Coast scoring on a fumble return and South Dade’s lone touchdown drive being aided by 35 yards in defensive penalties last week. “Our defense has really played well all year, especially last week,” Pinellas said. “(Defensive coordinator Brad) Lennox’s guys really got after the South Dade quarterback, he was running for his life most of the game.” St. Cloud, with veteran quarterback Logan King, explosive wide receiver Alex Springs and Swiss Army knife running back TJ Griffin must find a way move the chains against Osceola, while avoiding the turnovers and mistakes that cost them against Poinciana (three turnovers and some costly penalties).
The Bulldogs defense will also be challenged. Although they have a talented and excellent secondary, they graduated most of their key players on the defensive front from a year ago— which will make the play of their linebackers—including standout Landon Millman—even more important.
That group must find a way to stop or at least slowdown Swint and a Kowboys ground attack that has averaged 200 plus yards per game in their two wins.
“We know what we are up against,” Bulldogs coach Mike Short noted. “We will need to play mistake free football, try to move the chains and get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win. We’ll work hard this week and put our best foot forward Friday.”
Game Notes: With a 7 p.m. kickoff and no special ceremonies planned, St. Cloud Athletics Director Bryan Smart still said a large crowd is expected and recommends fans arrive early… The Bulldogs loss to Poinciana last weekend broke an eight-game winning streak dating back to the 2023 season… Although this is the 101st game between the two schools, it is just the 100th anniversary of the game. The teams did not play in 1942 because of World War II but played twice in 1927 and 1931…With Osceola in Class 6A and St. Cloud in 7A this year, it’s not a district game, but who cares, it’s Osceola-St. Cloud...OHS running back and UCF commit Taevion Swint saw limited action last week as he recovered from a shoulder injury but still managed to rush for 80 yards and a pair of touchdowns. St. Cloud star WR Alex Springs started his high school career at Osceola but transferred to St. Cloud after his sophomore year; while Osceola Division-1 OL prospect Connor Howes was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs before transferring this summer.
