Osceola at Lakeland preview

[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. 

[THIS_IS_DILLARD]

8 hours ago, skyway said:

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. 

that last part got me lol hahaha. I hope that the game is played it sounds like your kowboys could be very special by season end. 

Very very detailed analysis tho of both Lakeland and Osceola when it comes to your guys history I would’ve never known. Should be a great game. 

[DarterBlue2]

1 hour ago, THIS_IS_DILLARD said:

that last part got me lol hahaha. I hope that the game is played it sounds like your kowboys could be very special by season end. 

Very very detailed analysis tho of both Lakeland and Osceola when it comes to your guys history I would’ve never known. Should be a great game. 

He's a Lakeland supporter, not a Kowboy. 

If the game is played (I hope it is), Lakeland is the favorite. However, I would be very surprised if they put a running clock on Osceola, a team with a very strong defense. I believe Lakeland is rightly the favorite, but I don't expect the final margin in the game to be by more than 14 regardless of who wins it. 

[nolebull813]

This is Lakeland’s regular season super bowl. This game will be how they are viewed until the playoffs. The preseason is over and it’s time for real football!! Lets see if all those transfers made the right decision 

[nolebull813]

Osceola broke Lakeland’s state record winning streak. They will always have a sore spot in Coach Castles mind 

[Nulli Secundus]

15 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

Osceola broke Lakeland’s state record winning streak. They will always have a sore spot in Coach Castles mind 

For some reason, that 2-0 loss at Haines City hurts worse, lol.

[Nulli Secundus]

10 hours ago, skyway said:

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. 

You sir, are a FOOL! 

[nolebull813]

24 minutes ago, Nulli Secundus said:

For some reason, that 2-0 loss at Haines City hurts worse, lol.

What about the 20-0 home shutout against Plant or the 48-6 demolition the very next year by those same dastardly Panthers? 

[badbird]

Not many people can say they have beat a Bill Castle coached team 5 times.  I can.  Those were some great games between Osceola and Lakeland from 2006-2014.  Castle is the GOAT of high school football.  I have no bone in this battle anymore.  Good luck to both teams it should be a good one.

[Nulli Secundus]

20 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

What about the 20-0 home shutout against Plant or the 48-6 demolition the very next year by those same dastardly Panthers? 

Heavens to Murgatroyd.  Might as well add 2008 to the top of the list while you're at it, lol.  Lakeland like everyone has taken L's over the years (no pun intended).  However, the 2-0 loss ended another streak.  For me, after having talked much shit prior to that game, I had to eat it, LOL.

[Ray Icaza]

The 2019 Kick-Off classic played in Lakeland had an expected result.  We trotted out an all new LB core with potential but little experience and each time Bowman touched the ball it showed.  A couple of weeks later against another great RB from Miami Columbus (Henry Parrish Jr.) their inexperience was on full display again.  However, those valuable lessons learned paid dividends as the season went on making it to the regional finals before losing a game we were expected to win.  Those LB's became a strength at the end and in subsequent years.   Point being depending on individual teams, early results can be misleading and as Dillard has proclaimed it is more important what you do at season's end.   100%!!

[THIS_IS_DILLARD]

28 minutes ago, Ray Icaza said:

The 2019 Kick-Off classic played in Lakeland had an expected result.  We trotted out an all new LB core with potential but little experience and each time Bowman touched the ball it showed.  A couple of weeks later against another great RB from Miami Columbus (Henry Parrish Jr.) their inexperience was on full display again.  However, those valuable lessons learned paid dividends as the season went on making it to the regional finals before losing a game we were expected to win.  Those LB's became a strength at the end and in subsequent years.   Point being depending on individual teams, early results can be misleading and as Dillard has proclaimed it is more important what you do at season's end.   100%!!

Yessir no one remembers great starts if their was a bad finish. 
 

And no one remembers tough starts , if their was a great ending. 

[Ray Icaza]

43 minutes ago, THIS_IS_DILLARD said:

Yessir no one remembers great starts if their was a bad finish. 
 

And no one remembers tough starts , if their was a great ending. 

We aren't expected to win but we believe.  That is the most important element in the fight. 

[Nulli Secundus]

1 minute ago, Ray Icaza said:

We aren't expected to win but we believe.  That is the most important element in the fight. 

I believe I'm glad we're not in the same district anymore.  Y'all Kowboys get on my nerves, lol.  It's bad enough we gotta fight those ankle-biting Braves without you being in the mix for a playoff spot. 

[Ray Icaza]

4 minutes ago, Nulli Secundus said:

I believe I'm glad we're not in the same district anymore.  Y'all Kowboys get on my nerves, lol.  It's bad enough we gotta fight those ankle-biting Braves without you being in the mix for a playoff spot. 

I am glad we are out of that district also.  Had one of our top teams in '06 when we lost to Lakeland and Lake Gibson, then had to watch from the sidelines as both of them rolled all of their opponents in the playoffs until they had to face each other.   No offense intended as Rainey did us in late in our loss, but I thought Bilal Powell was the better of the two backs.

[KeemD321]

I'm honestly gonna go with Osceola in this one capitalizing off of a few Lakeland offensive mistakes and the defense doing just enough to keep Lakeland from capitalizing from an Osceola mistake that Lakeland's defense wasn't able to take into the endzone themselves.

[Nulli Secundus]

2 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

I am glad we are out of that district also.  Had one of our top teams in '06 when we lost to Lakeland and Lake Gibson, then had to watch from the sidelines as both of them rolled all of their opponents in the playoffs until they had to face each other.   No offense intended as Rainey did us in late in our loss, but I thought Bilal Powell was the better of the two backs.

That was a fun little district between 05-08 as someone appeared in the title game all 4 years.  That's cool to think about.  Not to omit LG as they were fresh off the heels of 2 back to back runner-ups in 03-04 when they had QB Grothe.

[Nulli Secundus]

2 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

I'm honestly gonna go with Osceola in this one capitalizing off of a few Lakeland offensive mistakes and the defense doing just enough to keep Lakeland from capitalizing from an Osceola mistake that Lakeland's defense wasn't able to take into the endzone themselves.

I thought we were cool!  For that, you get the Jesse Emojis.  Both of them! LOL  

[KeemD321]

2 hours ago, Nulli Secundus said:

I thought we were cool!  For that, you get the Jesse Emojis.  Both of them! LOL  

We still are lmao. Just a feeling but I've been a lil off this season too. But either way it should be a great game. Also could be a wake up call game for Lakeland that ends up getting them on a whole different level and a major run. Who knows. We'll find out Friday 

[skyway]

11 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

This is Lakeland’s regular season super bowl. This game will be how they are viewed until the playoffs. The preseason is over and it’s time for real football!! Lets see if all those transfers made the right decision 

I'm still of the opinion that CAI will be the toughest game. You and most others picked them to lose to Miami Palmetto (likely because you knew they split a pair of halves vs. Chaminade and Cardinal Gibbons and have lots of talent), yet they beat Palmetto 26-0. Grayson beat Fort Dorchester 28-0 and CAI traveled up there and beat them 31-0. Do you have any intentions of adjusting your opinion of CAI?

[nolebull813]

1 hour ago, skyway said:

I'm still of the opinion that CAI will be the toughest game. You and most others picked them to lose to Miami Palmetto (likely because you knew they split a pair of halves vs. Chaminade and Cardinal Gibbons and have lots of talent), yet they beat Palmetto 26-0. Grayson beat Fort Dorchester 28-0 and CAI traveled up there and beat them 31-0. Do you have any intentions of adjusting your opinion of CAI?

I’ve been following CAI since they were in 8 man. I have helped them get games over the years. I have Coach Chinchar’s cell and have spoke to him multiple times and went to a few of their games at Skyway back in the day and also Bishop McLaughlins field. and never had to pay. He just waved me in. Lol. So I am plenty familiar with CAI. They have great front line talent but depth has always been an issue. They are usually huge on the lines with Canadian and European kids, but they are still a little green to American football and it shows against the elite teams. They have really impressed so far with all the losses to graduation. The game against Lakeland is gonna be epic and with the way they rolled in their first 2 games I can see it being really competitive if everyone stays healthy 

[skyway]

43 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

I’ve been following CAI since they were in 8 man. I have helped them get games over the years. I have Coach Chinchar’s cell and have spoke to him multiple times and went to a few of their games at Skyway back in the day and also Bishop McLaughlins field. and never had to pay. He just waved me in. Lol. So I am plenty familiar with CAI. They have great front line talent but depth has always been an issue. They are usually huge on the lines with Canadian and European kids, but they are still a little green to American football and it shows against the elite teams. They have really impressed so far with all the losses to graduation. The game against Lakeland is gonna be epic and with the way they rolled in their first 2 games I can see it being really competitive if everyone stays healthy 

Would you now agree that CAI may be the toughest game of the season for Lakeland? I say toughest not because I'm certain they are better than Osceola (they may be) but because they're a very unique match up for most Florida teams. Florida teams usually play teams with an abundance of quickness, but poor QB play, poor offensive line play and poor discipline. CAI looks a bit plodding thus far, but they're big and the kids seem to have a higher IQ than the typical Florida player. I also think the factors you've mentioned are going to mean Lakeland will take them very lightly. The 'Naughts will play passionately vs. Osceola. I think they'll be flatter than a pancake for CAI, which is really foolish.

[nolebull813]

7 hours ago, skyway said:

Would you now agree that CAI may be the toughest game of the season for Lakeland? I say toughest not because I'm certain they are better than Osceola (they may be) but because they're a very unique match up for most Florida teams. Florida teams usually play teams with an abundance of quickness, but poor QB play, poor offensive line play and poor discipline. CAI looks a bit plodding thus far, but they're big and the kids seem to have a higher IQ than the typical Florida player. I also think the factors you've mentioned are going to mean Lakeland will take them very lightly. The 'Naughts will play passionately vs. Osceola. I think they'll be flatter than a pancake for CAI, which is really foolish.

They are unique that’s for sure. I don’t think Lakeland takes them lightly especially if they come in undefeated. I don’t think Castle would gloss over them just because they are independent 

[skyway]

15 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

They are unique that’s for sure. I don’t think Lakeland takes them lightly especially if they come in undefeated. I don’t think Castle would gloss over them just because they are independent 

Well, I'm not worried about the coaches taking them lightly. But, I think the players will do so. I think they'll play with less passion than they would against a duck like Bartow. The kids know Bartow kids. They don't know kids from Canada, Denmark etc. 

[skyway]

Weather forecast as of now has thunderstorm probability of a high of 68% (at 4pm) to a low of 38% through the 9:00 hour. 64% chance for the 7:00 hour. So, still a tossup, but looks like a chance for the game to be played after some delay. I gather there's increased urgency to get the game in. So, hopefully it won't be too fucked up by the weather.

I can't get a good enough read on the game to make a pick. After this game, I'll be able to make picks for the rest of Lakeland's games.