By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola shook off the Saturday night blues and rallied for three touchdowns in the third quarter to beat Agape Christian, 34-14, in Orlando.

The score was tied at 6 at the half before Frank Thomas rambled for 140 yards and three touchdowns and defensive lineman Bobby Jones blocked a punt and recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown for the Kowboys.

“It took us a while to get going. I don’t know whether it was playing on Saturday night or what, but at the half we got things worked out and we played pretty well in the second half,” Nichols said.

Steffon McCray rushed for 83 yards and a TD for Osceola, 1-3.

“Frank ran hard, and I thought Steffon had a good game for us,” Nichols said. “Bobby Jones had a great game for us defensively. He blocked the punt and set us up at the 15. It was a good win. Agape Christian has pretty good size on their lines and they’ve got a couple of guys who have special talent.”

Nichols scheduled the game as a favor to Agape coach Victor Floyd after the Saints were removed from their district after failing to make an insurance payment to the Florida High School Athletic Association on time in June. Agape, 1-2, a playoff team last year, had trouble filling its schedule after leaving the district.

Osceola’s defense played a solid game. Linebacker Akeem Williams led the Kowboys with 11 tackles and caused a fumble. Jones had eight tackles. Peter Bailey caused a fumble and Dashon Montgomery recovered a fumble. D.D. Montgomery had seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Kowboys, who host Harmony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, should be healthy for the first time this season after quarterback Kieron Williams returned from a shoulder injury last week.

Harmony upended OHS, 20-14, two years ago at Kowboys field, but the Kowboys hold a 3-1 series lead counting a 2006 Scholarship Bowl win.

“They’ve got a lot of speed, and Coach (Dayne) Brown does a great job of getting them prepared,” Nichols said.

Harmony running back Christian Acevedo injured his ankle against Liberty last week. The Horns also boast a talented back in C.J. Clayton.

Friday’s game does not count in the district standings, but it will be Osceola’s last tune-up prior to an Oct. 8 5A-4 game at Lakeland George Jenkins that likely will decide a playoff berth in the three-team district. Lakeland also is in the district.