By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Even though practice has barely begun, already two heated Osceola County football rivals will square off Saturday when the Poinciana Predators take on the CFAA Chargers of the Mid-Florida Football and Cheerleading Conference at Poinciana High.

"The Battle for the Paddle," as the showdown is called, will feature games between the Flag, Mighty Mite, Pee Wee, Junior and Senior teams.

The organization that wins three of the five games will win the paddle to hold until next year.

Poinciana, beginning its 19th season, won last year by winning four games against the Chargers. The Chargers are beginning their second season.

The games begin at 9 a.m.

The Osceola Panthers also compete in the CFAA, along with the Lake Alfred Raiders, the Oak Ridge Pioneers, the Orlando Bears, the West Orange Warriors, the Winter Haven Wolverines, the Sarasota Gators, the Sebring Blue Streaks and the Conway Falcons.