skyway

Osceola travels to Bryant Stadium to take on the Dreadnaughts in what has been an underrated rivalry over the last 24 years. In 1998, the two teams appeared to be on a collision course to meet for an epic match up for the 5A title. Both were dominating their opponents all season, and both ended up in the state semifinals after Lakeland traveled to Fort Lauderdale and knocked off defending champ STA. But, Lakeland was upset by Estero by one point, and that cleared the way for Osceola's state title. In 1999, the two again appeared headed for a colossal tilt, but Osceola was upset by Rutherford by one point, clearing the way for Lakeland's third state title. In 2000, the teams played in a spring game at Kissimmee, with the Dreadnaughts winning 35-21. In 2005, Lakeland beat Osceola 56-0 on live statewide TV. In 2006, national #1 Lakeland was very nearly upset. The 'Naughts trailed 3-0 in the 4th, before Chris Rainey broke a long TD run to win it, 7-3. The 2007 season saw Lakeland take a state record winning streak into the middle of the season. Osceola came to Bryant Stadium and broke the streak and the hearts of the Dreadnaughts, 25-22. The Kowboys beat Lakeland a second time, more decisively in Kissimmee en route to a state title game appearance. Osceola eventually lost starting QB and safety T'Sharvan Bell (hope my memory held up on the spelling) before the state title game loss to STA. In 2008, Lakeland returned the favor, with two wins in tight games. Once again in 2009, Lakeland beat Osceola twice more. Lakeland got single wins in both 2010 and 2011. Osceola knocked Lakeland out of the playoffs each of the next three seasons (ouch!). The last match up with the teams was in 2019's Kickoff Classic. Ja'randy Swint scored three TDs for Osceola...in garbage time after Lakeland led 43-0.
This season, it seems Osceola may be underrated. Their 2022 games played include a near draw with Edgewater in the spring game, a nine-point win over a good Treasure Coast team, and a one-point OT loss to what may be an underrated Seminole team. (Seminole appears better than 2021, when they lost a last-second game to Chaminade.) Osceola appears to be much better on defense than on offense. But, the Kowboys have a large OL, and an emerging mega-recruit in RB Taevion Swint (I assume brother of Ja'Randy). Through two games, they've completed an aggregate of 9 out of 21 passes, for 91 yards. Defensively, the Kowboys have two monsters on the DL in John Walker and Derrick Leblanc. They also have speed and major recruits throughout the rest of the defense, with cornerback likely being the strength of the back seven.
Lakeland comes in as the much more hyped team. No doubt Osceola's players and coaches love this. The Dreadnaughts in 2022 have played a spring game they dominated vs. Venice, a quarter and a half vs. Armwood that they led 13-6 when the game was called, and running-clock blowouts of Clearwater and Winter Haven. It is very hard to get a good read on how good they are offensively, given the ease with which they've won their two games. They've shown big play capability with WR Tyler Williams and Rb D'marius Rucker. They've also been called for many penalties, which is typical for them. QB Pleuss has hit a couple of big passes, but also thrown several bad balls, as well as being very late in making the correct read in a completion at Clearwater. In all, the numerous scores by the defense, special teams, and one-play drives leaves us with very little idea of exactly what they can do against one of the top defenses in the state. There's reason to believe Osceola can mostly contain this offense, though there's also reason to believe the offense will hit more big plays. I don't know for sure what to expect. Defensively, there's an excellent chance this will prove to be the best defense in school history. They are quite strong at all three levels, but the secondary is the strongest. The one weakness is something which can be a strength: depth to rotate many players. It can be a weakness because it means they sometimes get caught with less than their best players on the field. They've been hyper-obsessed with rotating players every couple of plays. 
Special teams appear to mostly be a strength for both teams. I have to assume neither will be dumb enough to kickoff deep to the other. Punting is much more difficult to kick away without it being a really crappy punt.
Osceola is the clear underdog. But, we've seen so little of Lakeland that we can't have an abundance of confidence in them yet. Osceola's best bet is to call an extremely conservative game on offense, hope they can catch Lakeland with a couple of their good-but-but-not great rotational defenders on the field for a couple of good plays, and perhaps have Swint make one or two big plays. The overwhelming majority of plays for the Kowboys offense will go for little to no yards. But, if they can avoid catastrophes (turnovers, huge losses) and play to their defense, that will be their best bet. Defensively, they have to try to keep Williams and Rucker from big plays. Lakeland appears explosive enough on defense and the kicking game to win decisively even if Osceola largely contains their offense. If Osceola can avoid giving up scores to Lakeland while the Dreadnaughts offense is on the sideline, they may be able to stay in the game for all four quarters, when anything can happen. For Lakeland, if they are to live up to their hype, they need to win by running clock or close to it.
Official Game Prediction:
The game will be cancelled due to rain and lightning. 

Osceola travels to Bryant Stadium to take on the Dreadnaughts in what has been an underrated rivalry over the last 24 years. In 1998, the two teams appeared to be on a collision course to meet for an epic match up for the 5A title. Both were dominating their opponents all season, and both ended up in the state semifinals after Lakeland traveled to Fort Lauderdale and knocked off defending champ STA. But, Lakeland was upset by Estero by one point, and that cleared the way for Osceola's state title. In 1999, the two again appeared headed for a colossal tilt, but Osceola was upset by Rutherford by one point, clearing the way for Lakeland's third state title. In 2000, the teams played in a spring game at Kissimmee, with the Dreadnaughts winning 35-21. In 2005, Lakeland beat Osceola 56-0 on live statewide TV. In 2006, national #1 Lakeland was very nearly upset. The 'Naughts trailed 3-0 in the 4th, before Chris Rainey broke a long TD run to win it, 7-3. The 2007 season saw Lakeland take a state record winning streak into the middle of the season. Osceola came to Bryant Stadium and broke the streak and the hearts of the Dreadnaughts, 25-22. The Kowboys beat Lakeland a second time, more decisively in Kissimmee en route to a state title game appearance. Osceola eventually lost starting QB and safety T'Sharvan Bell (hope my memory held up on the spelling) before the state title game loss to STA. In 2008, Lakeland returned the favor, with two wins in tight games. Once again in 2009, Lakeland beat Osceola twice more. Lakeland got single wins in both 2010 and 2011. Osceola knocked Lakeland out of the playoffs each of the next three seasons (ouch!). The last match up with the teams was in 2019's Kickoff Classic. Ja'randy Swint scored three TDs for Osceola...in garbage time after Lakeland led 43-0.
This season, it seems Osceola may be underrated. Their 2022 games played include a near draw with Edgewater in the spring game, a nine-point win over a good Treasure Coast team, and a one-point OT loss to what may be an underrated Seminole team. (Seminole appears better than 2021, when they lost a last-second game to Chaminade.) Osceola appears to be much better on defense than on offense. But, the Kowboys have a large OL, and an emerging mega-recruit in RB Taevion Swint (I assume brother of Ja'Randy). Through two games, they've completed an aggregate of 9 out of 21 passes, for 91 yards. Defensively, the Kowboys have two monsters on the DL in John Walker and Derrick Leblanc. They also have speed and major recruits throughout the rest of the defense, with cornerback likely being the strength of the back seven.
Lakeland comes in as the much more hyped team. No doubt Osceola's players and coaches love this. The Dreadnaughts in 2022 have played a spring game they dominated vs. Venice, a quarter and a half vs. Armwood that they led 13-6 when the game was called, and running-clock blowouts of Clearwater and Winter Haven. It is very hard to get a good read on how good they are offensively, given the ease with which they've won their two games. They've shown big play capability with WR Tyler Williams and Rb D'marius Rucker. They've also been called for many penalties, which is typical for them. QB Pleuss has hit a couple of big passes, but also thrown several bad balls, as well as being very late in making the correct read in a completion at Clearwater. In all, the numerous scores by the defense, special teams, and one-play drives leaves us with very little idea of exactly what they can do against one of the top defenses in the state. There's reason to believe Osceola can mostly contain this offense, though there's also reason to believe the offense will hit more big plays. I don't know for sure what to expect. Defensively, there's an excellent chance this will prove to be the best defense in school history. They are quite strong at all three levels, but the secondary is the strongest. The one weakness is something which can be a strength: depth to rotate many players. It can be a weakness because it means they sometimes get caught with less than their best players on the field. They've been hyper-obsessed with rotating players every couple of plays. 
Special teams appear to mostly be a strength for both teams. I have to assume neither will be dumb enough to kickoff deep to the other. Punting is much more difficult to kick away without it being a really crappy punt.
Osceola is the clear underdog. But, we've seen so little of Lakeland that we can't have an abundance of confidence in them yet. Osceola's best bet is to call an extremely conservative game on offense, hope they can catch Lakeland with a couple of their good-but-but-not great rotational defenders on the field for a couple of good plays, and perhaps have Swint make one or two big plays. The overwhelming majority of plays for the Kowboys offense will go for little to no yards. But, if they can avoid catastrophes (turnovers, huge losses) and play to their defense, that will be their best bet. Defensively, they have to try to keep Williams and Rucker from big plays. Lakeland appears explosive enough on defense and the kicking game to win decisively even if Osceola largely contains their offense. If Osceola can avoid giving up scores to Lakeland while the Dreadnaughts offense is on the sideline, they may be able to stay in the game for all four quarters, when anything can happen. For Lakeland, if they are to live up to their hype, they need to win by running clock or close to it.
Official Game Prediction:
The game will be cancelled due to rain and lightning. 

Osceola travels to Bryant Stadium to take on the Dreadnaughts in what has been an underrated rivalry over the last 24 years. In 1998, the two teams appeared to be on a collision course to meet for an epic match up for the 5A title. Both were dominating their opponents all season, and both ended up in the state semifinals after Lakeland traveled to Fort Lauderdale and knocked off defending champ STA. But, Lakeland was upset by Estero by one point, and that cleared the way for Osceola's state title. In 1999, the two again appeared headed for a colossal tilt, but Osceola was upset by Rutherford by one point, clearing the way for Lakeland's third state title. In 2000, the teams played in a spring game at Kissimmee, with the Dreadnaughts winning 35-21. In 2005, Lakeland beat Osceola 56-0 on live statewide TV. In 2006, national #1 Lakeland was very nearly upset. The 'Naughts trailed 3-0 in the 4th, before Chris Rainey broke a long TD run to win it, 7-3. The 2007 season saw Lakeland take a state record winning streak into the middle of the season. Osceola came to Bryant Stadium and broke the streak and the hearts of the Dreadnaughts, 25-22. The Kowboys beat Lakeland a second time, more decisively in Kissimmee en route to a state title game appearance. Osceola eventually lost starting QB and safety T'Sharvan Bell (hope my memory held up on the spelling) before the state title game loss to STA. In 2008, Lakeland returned the favor, with two wins in tight games. Once again in 2009, Lakeland beat Osceola twice more. Lakeland got single wins in both 2010 and 2011. Osceola knocked Lakeland out of the playoffs each of the next three seasons (ouch!). The last match up with the teams was in 2019's Kickoff Classic. Ja'randy Swint scored three TDs for Osceola...in garbage time after Lakeland led 43-0.
This season, it seems Osceola may be underrated. Their 2022 games played include a near draw with Edgewater in the spring game, a nine-point win over a good Treasure Coast team, and a one-point OT loss to what may be an underrated Seminole team. (Seminole appears better than 2021, when they lost a last-second game to Chaminade.) Osceola appears to be much better on defense than on offense. But, the Kowboys have a large OL, and an emerging mega-recruit in RB Taevion Swint (I assume brother of Ja'Randy). Through two games, they've completed an aggregate of 9 out of 21 passes, for 91 yards. Defensively, the Kowboys have two monsters on the DL in John Walker and Derrick Leblanc. They also have speed and major recruits throughout the rest of the defense, with cornerback likely being the strength of the back seven.
Lakeland comes in as the much more hyped team. No doubt Osceola's players and coaches love this. The Dreadnaughts in 2022 have played a spring game they dominated vs. Venice, a quarter and a half vs. Armwood that they led 13-6 when the game was called, and running-clock blowouts of Clearwater and Winter Haven. It is very hard to get a good read on how good they are offensively, given the ease with which they've won their two games. They've shown big play capability with WR Tyler Williams and Rb D'marius Rucker. They've also been called for many penalties, which is typical for them. QB Pleuss has hit a couple of big passes, but also thrown several bad balls, as well as being very late in making the correct read in a completion at Clearwater. In all, the numerous scores by the defense, special teams, and one-play drives leaves us with very little idea of exactly what they can do against one of the top defenses in the state. There's reason to believe Osceola can mostly contain this offense, though there's also reason to believe the offense will hit more big plays. I don't know for sure what to expect. Defensively, there's an excellent chance this will prove to be the best defense in school history. They are quite strong at all three levels, but the secondary is the strongest. The one weakness is something which can be a strength: depth to rotate many players. It can be a weakness because it means they sometimes get caught with less than their best players on the field. They've been hyper-obsessed with rotating players every couple of plays. 
Special teams appear to mostly be a strength for both teams. I have to assume neither will be dumb enough to kickoff deep to the other. Punting is much more difficult to kick away without it being a really crappy punt.
Osceola is the clear underdog. But, we've seen so little of Lakeland that we can't have an abundance of confidence in them yet. Osceola's best bet is to call an extremely conservative game on offense, hope they can catch Lakeland with a couple of their good-but-but-not great rotational defenders on the field for a couple of good plays, and perhaps have Swint make one or two big plays. The overwhelming majority of plays for the Kowboys offense will go for little to no yards. But, if they can avoid catastrophes (turnovers, huge losses) and play to their defense, that will be their best bet. Defensively, they have to try to keep Williams and Rucker from big plays. Lakeland appears explosive enough on defense and the kicking game to win decisively even if Osceola largely contains their offense. If Osceola can avoid giving up scores to Lakeland while the Dreadnaughts offense is on the sideline, they may be able to stay in the game for all four quarters, when anything can happen. For Lakeland, if they are to live up to their hype, they need to win by running clock or close to it.
Official Game Prediction:
The game will be cancelled due to rain and lightning. 

Osceola travels to Bryant Stadium to take on the Dreadnaughts in what has been an underrated rivalry over the last 24 years. In 1998, the two teams appeared to be on a collision course to meet for an epic match up for the 5A title. Both were dominating their opponents all season, and both ended up in the state semifinals after Lakeland traveled to Fort Lauderdale and knocked off defending champ STA. But, Lakeland was upset by Estero by one point, and that cleared the way for Osceola's state title. In 1999, the two again appeared headed for a colossal tilt, but Osceola was upset by Rutherford by one point, clearing the way for Lakeland's third state title. In 2000, the teams played in a spring game at Kissimmee, with the Dreadnaughts winning 35-21. In 2005, Lakeland beat Osceola 56-0 on live statewide TV. In 2006, national #1 Lakeland was very nearly upset. The 'Naughts trailed 3-0 in the 4th, before Chris Rainey broke a long TD run to win it, 7-3. The 2007 season saw Lakeland take a state record winning streak into the middle of the season. Osceola came to Bryant Stadium and broke the streak and the hearts of the Dreadnaughts, 25-22. The Kowboys beat Lakeland a second time, more decisively in Kissimmee en route to a state title game appearance. Osceola eventually lost starting QB and safety T'Sharvan Bell (hope my memory held up on the spelling) before the state title game loss to STA. In 2008, Lakeland returned the favor, with two wins in tight games. Once again in 2009, Lakeland beat Osceola twice more. Lakeland got single wins in both 2010 and 2011. Osceola knocked Lakeland out of the playoffs each of the next three seasons (ouch!). The last match up with the teams was in 2019's Kickoff Classic. Ja'randy Swint scored three TDs for Osceola...in garbage time after Lakeland led 43-0.
This season, it seems Osceola may be underrated. Their 2022 games played include a near draw with Edgewater in the spring game, a nine-point win over a good Treasure Coast team, and a one-point OT loss to what may be an underrated Seminole team. (Seminole appears better than 2021, when they lost a last-second game to Chaminade.) Osceola appears to be much better on defense than on offense. But, the Kowboys have a large OL, and an emerging mega-recruit in RB Taevion Swint (I assume brother of Ja'Randy). Through two games, they've completed an aggregate of 9 out of 21 passes, for 91 yards. Defensively, the Kowboys have two monsters on the DL in John Walker and Derrick Leblanc. They also have speed and major recruits throughout the rest of the defense, with cornerback likely being the strength of the back seven.
Lakeland comes in as the much more hyped team. No doubt Osceola's players and coaches love this. The Dreadnaughts in 2022 have played a spring game they dominated vs. Venice, a quarter and a half vs. Armwood that they led 13-6 when the game was called, and running-clock blowouts of Clearwater and Winter Haven. It is very hard to get a good read on how good they are offensively, given the ease with which they've won their two games. They've shown big play capability with WR Tyler Williams and Rb D'marius Rucker. They've also been called for many penalties, which is typical for them. QB Pleuss has hit a couple of big passes, but also thrown several bad balls, as well as being very late in making the correct read in a completion at Clearwater. In all, the numerous scores by the defense, special teams, and one-play drives leaves us with very little idea of exactly what they can do against one of the top defenses in the state. There's reason to believe Osceola can mostly contain this offense, though there's also reason to believe the offense will hit more big plays. I don't know for sure what to expect. Defensively, there's an excellent chance this will prove to be the best defense in school history. They are quite strong at all three levels, but the secondary is the strongest. The one weakness is something which can be a strength: depth to rotate many players. It can be a weakness because it means they sometimes get caught with less than their best players on the field. They've been hyper-obsessed with rotating players every couple of plays. 
Special teams appear to mostly be a strength for both teams. I have to assume neither will be dumb enough to kickoff deep to the other. Punting is much more difficult to kick away without it being a really crappy punt.
Osceola is the clear underdog. But, we've seen so little of Lakeland that we can't have an abundance of confidence in them yet. Osceola's best bet is to call an extremely conservative game on offense, hope they can catch Lakeland with a couple of their good-but-but-not great rotational defenders on the field for a couple of good plays, and perhaps have Swint make one or two big plays. The overwhelming majority of plays for the Kowboys offense will go for little to no yards. But, if they can avoid catastrophes (turnovers, huge losses) and play to their defense, that will be their best bet. Defensively, they have to try to keep Williams and Rucker from big plays. Lakeland appears explosive enough on defense and the kicking game to win decisively even if Osceola largely contains their offense. If Osceola can avoid giving up scores to Lakeland while the Dreadnaughts offense is on the sideline, they may be able to stay in the game for all four quarters, when anything can happen. For Lakeland, if they are to live up to their hype, they need to win by running clock or close to it.
Official Game Prediction:
The game will be cancelled due to rain and lightning. 

How you feel about Lakeland, Jesuit, Wharton and anyone else not from Dade or Broward always has and always will be the same. You know only about teams from those counties, and have no respect (or knowledge about) teams from other areas. That's pretty typical, so I don't mean to call you, specifically, out. But, fact is, the only way you'd respect any of those teams is for them to relocate their campuses to Dade or Broward  

I assume you're talking about the nationalhsfb.com site? The guy who runs PrepGridiron logistics, and goes out of his way to shit on schools that don't partner with him, runs that site. The actual prepgridiron site is not run by a game promoter.

How you feel about Lakeland, Jesuit, Wharton and anyone else not from Dade or Broward always has and always will be the same. You know only about teams from those counties, and have no respect (or knowledge about) teams from other areas. That's pretty typical, so I don't mean to call you, specifically, out. But, fact is, the only way you'd respect any of those teams is for them to relocate their campuses to Dade or Broward  

Before you make assumptions about why I say what I say about teams do your research!
Now that I got your panties in a wad and you're being all defensive for not doing research before hitting the keys on your computer, I did speak with WP fans that attended the game at NG. They spoke how confident NG and its fans were that they would bury WP. The NG fans made no excuses for their loss and were confident their team would play well the rest of their season. Their coach said they didn't play well, but that was because they were outplayed by WP. I believe that's a bit more research than you pulled out of your bu__. 

When is a win not a "good win"? You travel by bus for 8 hours and go into a hostile environment against a 2-0 team ranked #12 in their state, and beat them 31-19; I'd call that a "good win".

Palm Beach Lakes is allowing an average of 79 ppg so far 

The Georgia refs would still screw them over.

Let's examine Venice in 2022: Blown out in spring game by Lakeland PRIOR to the boatload of transfers; Blown out by IMG; Controlled by MNW when MNW was without its best offensive player; beat Naples 12-11. So, you're suggesting that amounts to the "something" Lakeland hasn't done but needs to do to be ahead of your friend's team? Peacock thanks you for sustaining the fiction that they are a good team!
Rockledge: beat Gulliver Prep and Doral Academy. That's the kind of "something" Lakeland needs to do?
They played one game against a team that apparently isn't any good. All anyone can do is put a running clock on the opponent. Florida has by far the most extreme running clock enforcement in the country. Once it kicks in, the game is over.

Only thing next for them to do it play a top Georgia team. Lol

Palm Beach Lakes is allowing an average of 79 ppg so far 

I can’t rank CAI for the same reason I don’t rank IMG. The rosters are filled with more Non-Floridian players than Florida natives. It would be hypocritical to rank CAI and not IMG. But if I was placing them somewhere I would put IMG around 5th in the state right now, and CAI somewhere in the 20’s

Before people start bashing this matchup because this years' Green Wave are very young and have no chance of winning this game, I would like to take a moment to explain how this game came about.  Tonight is Sam Sirianni Night in Fort Myers.  It is a local celebration of our long- time coach, Sam Sr.  He led the Greenies for 33 seasons, including 5 decades, before his passing in '02.  His son Sammy Jr. took over and is still the HC at this time.  Coach Smith and Sam Sr were very close friends for many years.  Coach Smith contacted us numerous times over the summer about coming over to be a part of our night to honor our former coach.  With that said, Sam Jr. finally accepted, knowing full well that this year's team would not be able to give the Raiders much of a game. It's a celebration of our '92 team that lost at STA in the state semi's for the second year in a row.
 In an effort not to make this post too long and boring, I just wanted to point out that even in this day and age, once in a while friendships and respect can still mean more than wins and losses at the high school level.  After getting to know Coach Smith and many of the Aquinas fans over the years, I have the utmost respect for the program and those close to it. I have an open invitation to Aquinas games and have seen many of their games from the sideline over the years. I knew of the school when it was Central Catholic High.  Had many friends who attended STA who were nationally ranked tennis players as was I. Jeanne and Chris Evert to name a few. So that should explain how this game came about and if I didn't explain this very well, please just reply and I will try to do better.
   

Thomas W. Bryant Stadium at 7:30pm on Fridays in August/September is the lightning capitol of the world. 

Thomas W. Bryant Stadium at 7:30pm on Fridays in August/September is the lightning capitol of the world. 

Thomas W. Bryant Stadium at 7:30pm on Fridays in August/September is the lightning capitol of the world. 

No doubt, those thinking we have no more games we can lose (except if we play Lakeland and get blown out) seem to be picking up the slack for Jesse with non-sensical pronouncements.  By the way, the lightning capital of the world by most standards is in Maracaibo, Venezuela or Africa.  Florida is considered by some with Oklahoma as the top in the US, but Orange county ranks higher than Polk.  So, I think this person just throw things out there to annoy and try to get others wound up.  

Seminole looked scary good at Sarasota Riverview. That was diminished some when Buchholz did the same thing to Riverview last night. Still, playing Seminole to basically a draw bodes well for Osceola.

Not this time…..just throwing it back. Lol

Not quite my spin on the game…..Dillard hit a homerun first play of the game. Their 2cd came as Cham QB was rushed & threw the ball right to the Dillard cb. For a pick six. Panther mistakes, poor play calling, poor execution, tons of penalties (NOT all the refs BIAS) & a poor downfield passing attack doomed them. Lions also had a ton of penalties, also calling a TD back. OK it’s only the 2cd game. Time to fix the whoa’s. But the refs dont decide a game won by 3 TD’s. They simply looked like the Panthers in BIG GAMES…….not good enough. Rockets & Raiders will beat Dillard, unless Panthers improve, let alone Homestead that’s knocking teams out. 

Apopka has a lot to do to make a run this year. It's not impossible, but there is a long road ahead. I could see the team having a 6-4 year or 5-5 season for that matter, and missing the playoffs for the first time in this century. I could also see it rebounding from the sluggish start and doing well in the playoffs. Time will tell. 
Overall, last night was a very good one for Orlando area football. Edgewater defeated Don Bosco 34-10 at home and Winter Park travelled to the Atlanta suburbs and defeated a perennial state contender, North Gwinnett, by 31-19. 
Osceola lost the kind of game that Seminole lost to us last year in round three. I am sure you will rebound. 

Nice effort by Dillard to avoid the running clock. Chaminade is probably the best team in the state, and they should have put a running clock on SJC too. Dillard can win vs. Central and STA. STA matters the most since it's a district game. Problem is they have to beat them twice to win state.