Sports

Nova Lakes QB Josh Rodriguez hits a Jaden Dionisi on a swing pass on the Rattlers' first possession Friday against Palm Bay. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Nova Lakes QB Josh Rodriguez hits a Jaden Dionisi on a swing pass on the Rattlers' first possession Friday against Palm Bay. (Photo/Ken Jackson)

Nova Lakes has a lot of firsts; Harmony ties biggest win margin in school history

Ken Jackson
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Years from now, Nova Lakes High School fans, family, friends, players and parents won’t recall the 41-7 score against Palm Bay in Friday’s first-ever regular-season varsity football game.They’ll just remember they were there when it finally kicked off after a 50-minute lightning delay.Among the...
Robert Lewandowski wins the ball against Robin Jansson. Jansson caused a penalty agains the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich player. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Robert Lewandowski wins the ball against Robin Jansson. Jansson caused a penalty agains the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich player. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Lions fall to Fire, Lewandowski after long rain delay

Mario Casamalhuapa
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Ninety minutes of rain delay bought Orlando City nothing but a longer wait for a goal that never came.Chicago Fire FC weathered the stoppage and a lopsided share of the ball to beat the Lions 2-1 on Wednesday night at Inter.Co Stadium, extending a run of results that has the Fire third in the...
Osceola used a huge second half to record its 15th win in a row over St. Cloud in 44-7 fashion. (Photo/Katie Williams)

Osceola used a huge second half to record its 15th win in a row over St. Cloud in 44-7 fashion. (Photo/Katie Williams)

Osceola vs. St. Cloud, No. 103 — is this the Year Of the ‘Dog?

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Osceola and St. Cloud will be meeting on the field for the 103rd time on Friday night. It’s one of the oldest series in the country and fifth most continuous rivalry in the state of Florida.What is hasn’t been, at least not recently, is competitive.
Tyrese Spicer celebrates his goal. OCSC tied FC Cincinnati 1-1 Saturday. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Tyrese Spicer celebrates his goal. OCSC tied FC Cincinnati 1-1 Saturday. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Spicer's equalizer earns Orlando City a 1-1 draw with Cincinnati

Mario Casamalhuapa
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Justin Ellis slipped the ball through the middle in the 48th minute, catching Cincinnati on the break. Tyrese Spicer beat his defender to the pass and finished right-footed from the center of the box, high into the net. Inter.Co Stadium came up out of its seats.Orlando City had its goal.
Tohopekaliga running back Hector Saenz leaves an Innovation defender in his wake in the Tigers' 21-14 Kickoff Classic victory Friday. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Tohopekaliga running back Hector Saenz leaves an Innovation defender in his wake in the Tigers' 21-14 Kickoff Classic victory Friday. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Kowboys enter new era, Toho rallies behind new QB, and the scores from Kickoff Classic week in Osceola County

J. Daniel Pearson And Ken Jackson
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Mainland 27, Osceola 9Few things went right for Osceola Friday night, as they lost a one-sided decision to Daytona Beach Mainland, 27-9, in its Kickoff Classic and will face several questions this week as they get ready for rival St. Cloud in next week’s season opener.Osceola will most likely enter...
Daryl Dike scored the 1st goal in the 31st minute. Photo by Mario Casamalhuapa

Daryl Dike scored the 1st goal in the 31st minute. Photo by Mario Casamalhuapa

Lions survive late collapse, win shootout — but Leagues Cup run ends

Mario Casamalhuapa
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Orlando City SC needed a goalkeeper's hands to salvage something from a night that had slipped away.David Rodríguez drove a left-footed shot into the top-left corner in the 97th minute Wednesday, completing Atlético de San Luis' two-goal comeback and forcing a 2-2 draw at Inter&Co Stadium.
Harmony High’s Machaela Looper (#5, left), pictured with the El Salvador Under-17 national soccer team in 2025, is headed to camp this week with the El Salvador Under-20 national team. (Submitted photo.)

Harmony High’s Machaela Looper (#5, left), pictured with the El Salvador Under-17 national soccer team in 2025, is headed to camp this week with the El Salvador Under-20 national team. (Submitted photo.)

Harmony’s Machaela Looper headed to world’s stage—and pitch

Ken Jackson
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The school year may have just started, but Harmony High senior Machaela Looper will soon be headed on a trip to South America.Not that it will be a vacation for the Longhorns soccer player.
Osceola hosts Mainland Friday in one of seven Kickoff Classics in Osceola County. (Photo/Katie Williams)

Osceola hosts Mainland Friday in one of seven Kickoff Classics in Osceola County. (Photo/Katie Williams)

FOOTBALL 2026 — Thursday and Friday’s Kickoff Classic schedule

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
All games at 7 p.m.ThursdayPine Ridge at Nova LakesFridayDaytona Beach Mainland at OsceolaInnovation at TohopekaligaRiver Ridge at CelebrationOrlando University at GatewayCypress Creek at LibertyPalm Bay at PoincianaSt. Cloud at East RidgeHarmony at Freedom
It’s already intense at St. Cloud High preseason football camp; the Bulldogs are working their way toward the Kickoff Classic next Friday night at East Ridge. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

It’s already intense at St. Cloud High preseason football camp; the Bulldogs are working their way toward the Kickoff Classic next Friday night at East Ridge. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Football camps open a season of change in Osceola

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, August 6, 2026
High school football practice opened last week, the Kickoff Classic exhibitions are eight days away, and with the regular season slated to start Aug. 21, the 2026 season can be described as a season of change.Coaching changes, player movement, different district assignments, new athletic leadership...
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