Banged-up Kowboys fall to state-ranked Highlanders, 35-3
The 17th ranked Lake Wales Highlanders (3-1) beat the Osceola Kowboys (2-3), 35-3, in a gridiron battle between two powerhouses going in different directions on Friday night at Legion Field. The game featured a Highlanders team vying for no less than a state title, and the Kowboys working to extend a string of playoff appearances that stretches some two decades.
Osceola was helped by Lakeland’s 21-16 victory over American Heritage Friday. If the Dreadnaughts reach the new eight-team FHSAA Open Division playoffs and Osceola finishes second in District 5A-6, the Kowboys would get the automatic playoff bid.
Osceola Coach Eric Pinellas injuries are not helping turn the season around.
“We lost a couple of offense of linemen and it went downhill from there,” Pinellas said. “We were already down one, now we're down two more. So, we just gotta find some guys that want to play football. Got to get some guys back healthy. That's all we can do is come out and come back to practice.”
Pinellas said he is considering switching quarterback from junior Jabari Coombs to junior Josue Rivera to try to better the offense that has scored nine points in the last two games while giving up 75 points.
“That’s a big-time discussion,” Pinellas said on what to do next week in a big 5A-6 game against Lake Gibson.
Lake Wales coach TaVaris Johnson noted that Pinellas is well respected in the coaching community.
“They are very physical and you can tell that maybe some guys are hurting,” Johnson said. “A couple guys can change you in high school. I know EP will figure it out. I have tremendous respect for them.”
Javontay Barnett led Osceola offensively with 12 carries for 28 yards.
Osceola’s points came on a Brayden Buehler 20-yard field goal six minutes into the game that gave OHS a 3-0 lead before Lake Wales took over.
Osceola’s Colton Cater recovered fumble at 3:45 in the third, but the Kowboys couldn’t turn the turnover into points.
