Sports

Gunner Green played a major role in getting St. Cloud to the state championship tournament for just the fourth time in school history and first time in more than two decades. PHOTO/JIM ENDICOTT

Gunner Green played a major role in getting St. Cloud to the state championship tournament for just the fourth time in school history and first time in more than two decades. PHOTO/JIM ENDICOTT

All-County Boys Golf — Green was the top player in 2022

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
To say St. Cloud senior Gunner Green grew up around the game of golf would be an understatement. Like most good young golfers, he started playing at a young age, took lessons and watched on television.
Osceola running back Taevion Swint rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 31-7 win over Vero Beach. He’ll be key to a win Friday in Lakeland and a spot in the Class 4S championship game. PHOTO/REINHOLD MATAY

Osceola running back Taevion Swint rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 31-7 win over Vero Beach. He’ll be key to a win Friday in Lakeland and a spot in the Class 4S championship game. PHOTO/REINHOLD MATAY

Kowboys’ chance at redemption, state title shot in Lakeland

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
In high school football, teams rarely get to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. But that’s exactly the opportunity the Osceola Kowboys (10-3) have Friday when they travel to Lakeland’s Bryant Stadium to face the Dreadnaughts (12-0) in the FHSAA Class 4S state semifinals. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
Osceola linebacker Drevon Lee (15) recovers a Vero Beach fumble for one of four turnovers the Kowboys forced Friday. PHOTO/REINHOLD MATAY

Osceola linebacker Drevon Lee (15) recovers a Vero Beach fumble for one of four turnovers the Kowboys forced Friday. PHOTO/REINHOLD MATAY

Kowboys roll Vero Beach, 31-7, in regional final; Lakeland next

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Coming off two narrow playoff wins, Osceola left little doubt they were the top team in Class 4S, Region 3 on Friday night, using big plays on offense and forcing four turnovers in a convincing 31-7 win at the region’s top-seed, Vero Beach.
The Osceola Kowboys, who lost in the regional semifinals last year, can get back to the state semifinals Friday with a win in Vero Beach. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

The Osceola Kowboys, who lost in the regional semifinals last year, can get back to the state semifinals Friday with a win in Vero Beach. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

Vero Beach stands in Kowboys way to state semifinal

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
After narrowly avoiding playoff upsets the past two weeks while facing difficult-to-defend single-wing offenses, the Osceola Kowboys are preparing for a more traditional spread offense this week when they travel to Vero Beach to face the Region 4S-3 top seed Indians (11-1) Friday.
Ryan Rivera (1) is the lone returnee who had a varsity impact on the hardwood for the Osceola Kowboys last season. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Ryan Rivera (1) is the lone returnee who had a varsity impact on the hardwood for the Osceola Kowboys last season. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Boys Basketball preview — Osceola looks to remain county’s top dog

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
It would only be natural to expect Osceola High would be due for a down year in 2022-23. Graduation took a heavy toll on the Kowboys — four starters or regulars, including Player of the Year Cory Vega, were departing seniors and leading scorer Sean Combs transferred.
Osceola defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc (10), shown making a play against Mainland last month, caused more havoc Friday against Treasure Coast. FILE PHOTO

Osceola defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc (10), shown making a play against Mainland last month, caused more havoc Friday against Treasure Coast. FILE PHOTO

Kowboys move on to regional final after beating Treasure Coast, 10-7

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Like a punch-drunk fighter on wobbly legs, the Osceola’s football offense stumbled and staggered through 42 minutes Friday night before gaining their bearings and delivering a knockout punch in the final minutes to defeat Treasure Coast, 10-7.
Class 4S Playoffs Round 2: Treasure Coast (4-6) at Osceola (8-3), 7:30 p.m., Markus Paul Stadium

Class 4S Playoffs Round 2: Treasure Coast (4-6) at Osceola (8-3), 7:30 p.m., Markus Paul Stadium

Kowboys’ reward for win ... Treasure Coast

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Although its opponent comes into the game with a 4-6 record and already lost to the Kowboys once this season, Osceola coach Eric Pinellas has no doubts that regional semifinal opponent Treasure Coast will present a challenge to his charges when they meet Friday at Markus Paul Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Danzy Mantilla is one of a few returning St. Cloud Bulldogs who helped key a Class 6A playoff run as freshmen. PHOTO/ROB HERBERT

Danzy Mantilla is one of a few returning St. Cloud Bulldogs who helped key a Class 6A playoff run as freshmen. PHOTO/ROB HERBERT

Bulldogs, Panthers primed for another playoff run

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Not much was expected from last year’s young, undersized St. Cloud team. But all the Lady Bulldogs did was record a 20-win season and advance to the Class 6A regional finals.
Kowboys return specialist Elijah Jenkins outruns a host of Deland defenders on his way to a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter of the Bulldogs playoff game with Osceola. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

Kowboys return specialist Elijah Jenkins outruns a host of Deland defenders on his way to a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter of the Bulldogs playoff game with Osceola. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

Osceola survives playoff scare, beats DeLand; familiar foe next in regional playoffs

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Perhaps it was a good omen that Osceola led DeLand at halftime despite giving up 264 yards of total offense and allowing three touchdowns on their first four possessions.
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