By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola was impressive in its Kickoff Classic win over Freedom last week as well as in its spring game victory against Lake Gibson in May.

But, neither of those games counted. Friday’s game against Ocoee at Kowboys field will. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

Osceola seems to have the talent to back up high preseason expectations. Running backs Stafon McCray (54 yards, 2 TDs last week), Reggie Hall (90 yards, 1 TD) and Dwight “Scooter” Fagan all have big play ability behind a formidable offensive line, and the defense held explosive Freedom to 14 points during the 34-14 Kickoff Classic win.

Junior DeShawn Congreves, filling in at quarterback for last year’s starter, Kieron Williams, also was impressive for the Kowboys. He hit 3-of-4 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Ocoee, 0-10 last season, beat Orange City University, 27-3, in its Kickoff Classic last week.

Coach Doug Nichols said that although the Kowboys played well against Freedom, there still was plenty of room for improvement.

Osceola fumbled into the end zone to kill one drive, and Hall was caught in the end zone for a safety in the second quarter when OHS led 13-0.

“We have to cut down on the turnovers and dumb penalties if we are going to win,” he said.

The Knights will run a pro-style attack against Osceola, defensive coordinator Scott Spencer said.

“Their tailback (sophomore J.T. Bennett) runs hard and has the ability to be a game-breaker, and their wide receiver (senior Antonio Payne) looks to be their best athlete. Their quarterback (junior Will Walters) runs the offense very well and is very efficient in the power game,” Spencer said. “They are going to use the power game to run the football, but they can be effective in the passing game.”

Defensively, Nichols described the Knights, who play in 8A District 4, as small but quick.

“They play very hard and physical,” Nichols said. “They like to blitz a lot.”

This will be the first meeting between the teams.