Sports

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.
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.
Harmony freshman quarterback Ivy Munns stepped right in and led the Longhorns to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2026. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Harmony freshman quarterback Ivy Munns stepped right in and led the Longhorns to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2026. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

ALL-COUNTY FLAG FOOTBALL — Munns, Harmony reached Final Four

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Every four years it seems Harmony flag football coach Paul Strauch finds a freshman quarterback, who goes on to become a four-year starter. In return, that bit of fortune keeps the Longhorns’ program on top of the county and region.
Jadiel Perez became a mainstay of a young Harmony team that repeated playoff success from 2025. (Photo/Harmony Maxpreps)

Jadiel Perez became a mainstay of a young Harmony team that repeated playoff success from 2025. (Photo/Harmony Maxpreps)

ALL-COUNTY BASEBALL — Perez was calming influence on Longhorns

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, July 30, 2026
After graduation depleted the ranks of Harmony’s 2025 baseball team that reached the regional finals, Longhorns coach Heath Williams knew that returning players Jadiel Perez and Angel Medina would have to step up and carry the load for his talented but untested young team.
Osceola's Cheyenne Pryce was the only county athlete to reach the podium in multiple events at the Class 4A state track meet. (Submitted Photo)

Osceola's Cheyenne Pryce was the only county athlete to reach the podium in multiple events at the Class 4A state track meet. (Submitted Photo)

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS TRACK — The Pryce was right at state meet

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, July 30, 2026
She wasn’t Osceola County’s highest finisher at the FHSAA Class 4A state track and field meet, but she was the only athlete to reach the podium in two different events. For that reason, Osceola jump specialist Cheyenne Pryce is the Osceola News-Gazette Girls Track Athlete of the Year.
Tyrese Spicer scores the wining Orlando City goal versus Nashville in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Eastern Conference leaders. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Tyrese Spicer scores the wining Orlando City goal versus Nashville in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Eastern Conference leaders. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Griezmann's Homecoming, Ellis's vision turn Orlando City into the aggressor

Mario Casamalhuapa
Monday, July 27, 2026
The rain came first. Then the crowd. Then Antoine Griezmann's name, over and over, loud enough to fill a sold-out stadium that had been waiting months to say it out loud.Kickoff at Inter.Co Stadium didn't come until 8:46 p.m. Saturday, pushed back by weather. Nobody left.
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