Winning district titles and earning a spot in the FHSAA Playoffs has become old hat for Osceola High.
The Kowboys (4-2, 1-0 in District 6A-5) have won the district every year since 2011 (there was no district play in the 2020 COVID-19 year), and they can extend the streak when they host Viera (4-2) at Markus Paul Stadium Friday.
Osceola put itself in position to win the title by beating Melbourne, 18-10, two weeks ago. Viera, who was routed by Osceola (44-9) in the 2024 regular season and then again (58-14) in the playoffs, is different team this season. One of the Hawks wins came over Tohopekaliga, 44-22.
“They are pretty solid,” Osceola Coach Eric Pinellas said. “They have a dynamic quarterback (Eric Nelson) who is pretty good at the run-pass option and they have a big tailback (Duke Butler) they like to pound up the middle. Defensively, they normally run a four-man front but I expect them to run a five-man front to try to stop our running game.”
Nelson is a 64% passer who is also the second-leading rusher on the team, and Butler is averaging almost 100 yards per game. Defensively, James Olson leads the team in tackles and tackles-for-loss (14).
Although Osceola struggled against Melbourne before the bye week, Pinellas noted injuries, a key turnover and some questionable penalties kept that game close. Osceola held two-way star Jakyri Watson out of the game as a precaution, tight end Cole Vanderkin was out with an injury and running back Jaxson Hardnett left on the first play with an ankle injury.
“We were down some key players and then had a touchdown called back. We should have been up 28-0 early in the second quarter. But then things just fell apart, they were able to run the ball, they scored on a scoop and score fumble and we had a couple of drives killed by penalties that were just a little suspect,” Pinellas said. “But we won the game, we get Watson and Vanderkin back and we’ve had a week to get healthy.”
In other action Friday, Harmony (3-3, 0-1) travels to Lake Nona (3-3, 0-1) in what is essentially a District 7A-10 elimination game. Both teams are coming off a bye week. On Sept. 26, The Longhorns lost to Tohopekaliga, 28-16, and Lake Nona fell to St. Cloud, 25-17.
“I told our guys we still have a lot to play for after that game,” Harmony coach Don Simon said. “I’m not a big fan of bye weeks, but it did give us a chance to heal up a little. We spent the bye week trying to get back to basics.”
Coming into the season the defending 7A-10 champion Lions were again the favorite to win, but they have struggled for offensive consistency. Against St. Cloud, they used three different quarterbacks. Both starter Lake Morgan and backup Jason Stephens struggled against St. Cloud before athlete Luke Ramsey stepped in an almost led a comeback.
Tohopekaliga (3-3) was more than game for one half against regional power Lake Brantley—battling to a 14-7 halftime deficit. But already down four starters, the Tigers’ lost record-setting quarterback Sabby Meassick to an injury in the first quarter. Brantley then ran away in the second half with a 43-7 win.
The Tigers will attempt to rebound this week against Master’s Academy (4-3) at home. Master’s is a two-time defending Sunshine State Athletic Conference champion (2023-24).
Celebration (1-5, 0-1) used two touchdowns by Jayden Rodriguez to post a 24-6 win over Liberty. Both teams are in action this week, with Celebration traveling to Olympia (1-5, 0-1) for a District 7A-9 game; while the Chargers (0-6) host Space Coast (6-1).
After last week’s 27-0 loss to St. Cloud, Gateway ( 2- 4) travels to Lake Placid (2-3). Although Gateway was once again hurt by turnovers and their inability to score in the red zone, there were some definite positives for Coach Marlin Roberts. The Panthers controlled possession for much of the first half and sophomore running back Nydrell Thigpen ran for a career-high 158 yards. Defensively, Gateway made St. Cloud work for their touchdowns and did not give up any quick scores.
“We have a really young team and they work hard so it’s hard to get angry at the penalties, turnovers and missed assignments,” Roberts said. “But it is frustrating. Take out a couple of negative plays and our record could just as easily be reversed.”
St. Cloud (5-2, 1-0) hits their bye week and will begin preparation for next week’s district showdown with Tohopekaliga, which could decide District 7A-10.
Poinciana gave up a first half “pick six” and fell behind Lake Region 20-0 last week before cutting the gap to 14 with a fourth quarter Daveon Williams touchdown run. With the 20-6 loss, the Eagles fall to 2-4 and will face a tough challenge on Friday night when it hosts Auburndale (4-2). The Bloodhounds losses this year came to state powers Lakeland and Jones.
