Regional champs! Osceola downs Newsome, 17-7

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  • Defensive End Anthony Famularo wraps up Newsome ball carrier Jack Arnone for no gain during Osceola’s 17-7 win on Friday.  Photo courtesy of Jana Stultz/Osceola High School)
    Defensive End Anthony Famularo wraps up Newsome ball carrier Jack Arnone for no gain during Osceola’s 17-7 win on Friday. Photo courtesy of Jana Stultz/Osceola High School)
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For the first time since 2016, but the fifth time in Doug Nichols 11-year head coaching career at Osceola, the Kowboys wear the crown of regional champions.

Osceola (8-2) earned that regional title and moved one game away from Class 8A FHSAA State Championship game with a 17-7 road win over Newsome last Friday night. The win propelled the Kowboys into a semifinal game Friday night at Miami Palmetto, a 10-7 winner of Vero Beach. The Kowboys lost to Vero Beach 34-7 last month. Palmetto and Osceola also had a common opponent this year in Lake Nona. Palmetto defeated the Lions 9-6 in a playoff game; while the Kowboys trounced the Lions 34-7 in late October.

“I don’t think you can read too much into any of those games,” Nichols said. “At this time of the year, every team you play is pretty darn good and you can’t take anything for granted. As a team, we’re excited to win a regional championship and have an opportunity to play and outstanding Palmetto team for a chance to get to the finals.”

Although its offense struggled to put points on the board against Newsome, the Osceola defense was more than up to the challenge. The Kowboys jumped out to a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when the defense forced a fumble on a pass play, and linebacker Nolin Eaddy picked up the loose ball and rambled 32-yards for a touchdown.

The Wolves would move the ball in the first half, putting together two impressive drives. But the Osceola defense would be up to the task, stopping the first incursion into their territory on a Kaylon Walters interception. Late in the second quarter, Newsome drove to the Osceola 28, but on a fourth down and two yards to go play, the Kowboys defense swarmed running back Jason Albritton – stopping him a half yard short of a first down.

Osceola dominated possession in the third quarter, but could only manage a Spencer Richards’ 44-yard field goal as they upped the lead to 10-0.

Two possessions later, Newsome cut the gap to 10-7 on a 57-yard line pass from Kamarri Austin to Matt Wingo. The Wolves were fortunate to score on the play, as Austin barely got the pass off under a fierce pass rush, and Osceola safety Jerry Wilson appeared in position to make an easy interception but mistimed his jump. The ball deflected behind him into the hands of Wingo, who made the catch and walked into the end zone.

It would be the only error the Kowboys defense would make. Wilson would redeem himself with two second half interceptions, of which the first one set up a Ja’Randy Swint 3-yard touchdown run as Osceola took a two-score lead with seven minutes to go.

Osceola would limit Newsome to 89 yards in the second half, with 57 of those coming on the touchdown pass. In addition to the three interceptions, the Kowboys held Newsome on downs three times and blocked a field goal. The Wolves, who came into the contest averaging 180 yards rushing per game, were held to were held to 40 net rushing yards by the Osceola defense.

“No doubt our defense played great tonight,” Nichols added. “We put them in tough situations all night because we couldn’t move the ball and yet they responded by keeping them out of the end zone.”

Although the Kowboys scored just one offensive touchdown and managed less than 90 first half yards, Nichols said he didn’t think that side of the ball played that poorly.

“We ran our offense and made some plays, but the penalties really hurt us. We’d pick up six or seven yards on first down and then have it called back by a hold or false start. Those penalties put us behind the sticks for most of the night.”

In all, Osceola was called for eight offensive penalties for 61 yards. 

Still there were some solid performances on offense. Swint ran for 105 yards on 21 carries; while Izaiah Jean-Baptiste ran for 27 yards and added 60 yards receiving.

 

Osceola not the only county teams still playing

While Osceola will be playing for an opportunity to make it to the state championship game on Friday, the Kowboys will not be the only county teams in action. St. Cloud (6-3) will play at Harmony (3-4) in the 16th edition of the Soldier City Classic. Harmony leads the all-time series 8-7, but the Bulldogs have won three of the last four games, including a 48-7 decision last year. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Harmony.