Thanks to winning their district championships, St. Cloud and Osceola will both host firstround playoff games Friday.
Bulldogs: Playoff win would be first in a generation
St. Cloud (8-2) will host Lake Nona (7-3) at 7:30 p.m. in its first playoff game since 2015. The matchup was a shocker when announced; Coach Mike Short anticipated seeing Dr. Phillips; instead it’s a rematch of a District 7A-10 game from Sept. 27 won by the Bulldogs, 25-17.
“100 percent shocked,” Short said. “We know what they are about, but they can say the same thing, so I don’t think there is an advantage either way.”
St. Cloud jumped out to a 21-7 lead in that game of 7A-10’s top two teams but had to hold on as the Lions rallied behind back-up-quarterback Luke Ramsey in the second half.
Ramsey, who started the season as a defensive back, has been the Lions’ most consistent quarterback and is a threat as a passer (55.6%, 695 yards, 6 TDs) and a runner (260 yards, 5 TD). Backup Lake Morgan is more of a pocket passer (510 yards and 8 TDs) and both have seen action in every game. Nash Allen and Jordan Stokes, with five touchdowns each, are the leading receivers.
“Ramsey is probably a bigger concern,” Short added. “He’s a baseball kid and is a threat both as a thrower and runner.”
Still, Short believes the game will be a defensive battle. Lake Nona features a stout defense led by a senior defensive linemen Deanthony Lafayette and Khalid Feliz, who have combined for 23 sacks. Junior Anthony Moreno is quick linebacker who leads the team with 109 tackles.
St. Cloud has been on its own roll, winning five games in a row starting with the Lake Nona win. Although the Bulldogs offense has been explosive at times, Short points to his defense as one of the main reasons for the team’s success.
Led by senior two-way star Bryce Williams, who has a school record nine interceptions and 21 pass defenses, the Bulldogs have a fast, ballhawkish secondary with 22 interceptions and 42 pass breakups this year. Inside the box, linebacker Dashawn Reese (101 tackles) leads a group that has recorded 20 sacks and 55 tackles for loss this season.
Offensively, sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Lattier (2,733 yards, 25 TDs) started the season strong and has improved on a weekly basis to become one of the region’s most effective quarterbacks. Receivers Williams (40-733-9 TD) and Stacy Taylor (46-6326 TD) and tight end Owen Sullivan (32-623-5) lead a contingent of five receivers with 30 or more catches while Cameron Dalton (733 yards, 7 TDs) has been the workhorse in the backfield.
“Although both teams have really good offenses, I expect this game to be a defensive struggle,” Short added. “It would not be surprising if this game turned out to be a 14-13, 20-17 type affair. With great fan support, we’ve been undefeated at home and are happy to get this one on our home field.”
A win would be the first in the playoffs for the Bulldogs since 1980, and put them in a regional semifinal next week against the winner of Vero Beach (10-0, No. 2 in the state) and East Ridge (6-4).
Kowboys: March back to 6A title game starts Friday
Although Osceola coach Eric Pinellas respects Region 2 opponent Durant (5-5), he believes the game will center more on his team’s execution than what the Cougars will do when they meet Friday at 7 p.m.
“We need to establish the run, finish drives with points, avoid turnovers and keep ahead of the chains.” He said. “If we can do that, I like our chances.”
Led by dual threat quarterback Sam Themar (12 TD passing, 6 rushing), Durant is a run-first team averaging 117 yards per game with 19 TDs; but stopping the big pass plays will also be a key for the Kowboys. Ryan Porter and King Rivera are big-time receivers who collectively average more than 20 yards per catch with 11 combined receiving touchdowns.
Pinellas says his team, hit hard by the injury bug in the last third of the season, will not be at full strength but expects a handful starters that have missed games or were severely limited in recent weeks to be back. The list includes Alijah Jenkins (609 rushing yards, 9 TDs), Jakari Watson (204, 4 TD, 1 TD receiving), and Jeff Sinophat (607, 7 TD). Running back Jaxson Hardnett (ankle) is a game-time decision.
An Osceola win would put them in a second-round game against the winner of South Lake (9-1) and Plant (5-5).
This is Osceola’s 19th consecutive playoff appearance, a run that has included five state runner-up finishes, including last year.
