Osceola High was once again the dominant team in the county and a good reason for that was their defense, which allowed just 11 points a game, recorded three shutouts and allowed less than 500 total rushing yards all season.
The Kowboys linebacker and defensive back corps were both outstanding, but the best unit on that side of the ball was the defensive line. Junior tackle John Walker put up expected monster numbers and is the Osceola News-Gazette Defensive Player of the Year.
Walker edges out teammates Derrick Leblanc (the 2020 Defensive POY) and defensive back Bo Mascoe.
Walker, who joins Leblanc and Mascoe as D-1 prospects, had 77 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks. He led a defense that allowed a little more than one yard per rush for the entire season.
“John had a dominating season and frankly all the credit goes to him and his position coach Rob Van Sickle,” Head Coach Eric Pinellas said. “He’s a blue collar player who just shows up every day at practice and puts the work in. Off-season he isthe same way. This is a kid who just wants to get better and better.”
At 6-4 and 300 pounds, Walker had already received attention from all the nation’s top football programs.
“Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Miami, Penn State, FSU, Auburn – you name it, they have all offered and came to see him,” Pinellas said. “He’s certainly a bigtime prospect.”
The Osceola News Gazette’s All-County Defense:
Defensive Line (6): Joining Walker at this position are teammates Derrick Leblanc, Elijah Palermo, and Joel Campbell — all are juniors. Those three added to Walker’s totals by combining for 132 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss and 19 quarterback sacks. “Elijah had a huge year for us at nose,” Pinellas said. “He would get such a good push up the middle,that he made it extremely difficult for opponents to try to double John and Derrick.” Joining them are Harmony’s Daniel Watson and Brad Vera of Tohopekaliga. Watson, a senior, posted 69 tackles and led the Longhorns in both tackles-for-loss (24) and sacks (8). Vera was one of the few bright spots for Tohopekaliga’s defense, recording 49 tackles with 5 TFLs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Linebackers (8): Harmony has Josh Moss (79 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks) and freshman phenom Dalten Phalen (71 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 sacks) on the roster; while Osceola’s Lamont Lee (43 tackles, 15 TFL) and Drevon Lee (31 tackles, 8 TFL) also make the team with St. Cloud’s Noah Carr and Ryan Clancy, a couple of two-way players, are part of the All-County defense. Both tallied 100+ tackles each with a combined 19 tackles-for-loss and 10 quarterback sacks. Two other two-way players make the cut: Gateway’s Elijah Simmons (67 tackles, 4 TFL) and Celebration’s Foster Searcy (82 tackles, 4 TFL).
Defensive Backs (6): With Osceola’s front four providing intense pressure all season, it certainly created a lot of opportunities for its defensive backs to make big plays and they certainly responded as the Kowboys place three: seniors Jeremiah Wilson, a Syracuse signee, Kaylon Walters and Bo Mascoe. The trio combined for 137 tackles with 23 pass breakups and 11 interceptions. Mascoe led the county with seven interceptions to go with 11 pass breakups. Joining the trio is Harmony’s Alex Nash, Gateway’s Edward Dyer and Celebration’s Oniel Senatus. Nash posted 25 tackles with 10 pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions for the Longhorns; while Dyer had 33 stops with a pick and six pass defenses. Senatus, who rarely left the field for the Storm, had 51 tackles on defense and knocked down six passes.
Kicker/punter: Harmony’s Kevin Lavigne had no in-county equal. He averaged 36 yards a punt, booted five field goals including a 35-yard walkoff game-winner in a 17-14 win over Palm Bay, and was a perfect 29-for-29 on extra point attempts.
“He’s a blue collar player who just shows up every day at practice and puts the work in.”
— COACH ERIC PINELLAS
