6A REGION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP - OHS KOWBOYS 17 - ARMWOOD HAWKS 7.

[Ray Icaza]

This will be one of many great games Florida HS football fans will choose to attend on Friday.  Expect a great game between two evenly matched teams particularly on the defensive side of the ball.  Two of the top RB's in the entire state faceoff in Pringle and Swint.  Yes, I know a Plant RB is ranked higher on On3 than Swint but by not a tenth of a point but by 100th of a point which really is nonsensical as Swint has gained almost 1400 yards this year used sparingly to save him for the playoffs while Waltez Clark has a total of 400 yards in the same 11 games.  Regardless, it is strength against strength in the running game and though their QB has put up some good numbers, he doesn't appear to be much of a running threat or possess that escape ability factor other QB's we have faced possessed.  Can't speak for what Armwood thought would happen this season, but we definitely expected to see them.  GO KOWBOYS!!

[Zachk1003]

3 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

This will be one of many great games Florida HS football fans will choose to attend on Friday.  Expect a great game between two evenly matched teams particularly on the defensive side of the ball.  Two of the top RB's in the entire state faceoff in Pringle and Swint.  Yes, I know a Plant RB is ranked higher on On3 than Swint but by not a tenth of a point but by 100th of a point which really is nonsensical as Swint has gained almost 1400 yards this year used sparingly to save him for the playoffs while Waltez Clark has a total of 400 yards in the same 11 games.  Regardless, it is strength against strength in the running game and though their QB has put up some good numbers, he doesn't appear to be much of a running threat or possess that escape ability factor other QB's we have faced possessed.  Can't speak for what Armwood thought would happen this season, but we definitely expected to see them.  GO KOWBOYS!!

Well I'll be at this one first time since 2021 the osceola kowboys come to Hillsborough county when they played Newsome back in 2021 tough test for yall the hawks have alot of offensive playmakers as I've seen em 8 times (gaither sumner tech Durant first plant game wharton riverview and the second plant game) best team they've had since 2019 and they can beat you in many different ways (ask norland how that turned out)

[Ray Icaza]

6 hours ago, Zachk1003 said:

Well I'll be at this one first time since 2021 the osceola kowboys come to Hillsborough county when they played Newsome back in 2021 tough test for yall the hawks have alot of offensive playmakers as I've seen em 8 times (gaither sumner tech Durant first plant game wharton riverview and the second plant game) best team they've had since 2019 and they can beat you in many different ways (ask norland how that turned out)

Understood.  Armwood undoubtedly deserves all the praise and recognition they have received based on their performance this year.  We haven't got that as we lost against our two toughest opponents in games we could of or should have won if not for varying circumstances.  That is all water under the bridge as we have traveled to play Tampa area teams like Jesuit, Chamberlain, Manatee and others over the years with pretty good success.  Like you, I have watched our Kowboys 10 times this year missing two games when I went to visit my sister in Montana for a 2 week vacation, while also sightseeing around Wyoming and South Dakota.  I will also be in attendance Friday expecting a great game and may the best team win.  

[Ray Icaza]

WHO DAT???  .....TAEVION SWINT!!!  Just got home, but if you were a neutral spectator in the stands tonight scouting these two excellent backs I think it was pretty clear who was the dominant one.  Our rallying cry this time of year is "ONE MORE MONDAY" and we achieved that goal.  Finally, a big shout out to OHS Vargas as a finalist in the pick ems, as not only our kids believed but he did too.  The rest of this great group of pickers all struck out.  Those calling this an "UPSET" must of not seen the same game I did tonight.  Yes, Armwood is terrific and has playmakers all over the field throwing the ball, running the ball and making catches.  Unfortunately, lots of people forget that one of the winning formulas lies in the trenches and we pounded these folks into submission; it was a slow physical beatdown as this didn't come out of thin air but what I heard many Armwood fans saying after the game.  So please, don't act like it was a fluke because all the pundits have not ranked us properly.  GO KOWBOYS!!

[Ray Icaza]

Up next, Gainesville Bucholz.

 

[Longtime Observer]

Congratulations! 

Given the anemic offense, like Lakeland, no team still alive is an automatic win. But it seems clear the Kowboys are playing their best ball, and their confidence has to be at an apex. Momentum-wise, Osceola is a slight favorite to win their class IMO. As you say, Swint can make something out of nothing.

[Ray Icaza]

2 minutes ago, Longtime Observer said:

Congratulations! 

Given the anemic offense, like Lakeland, no team still alive is an automatic win. But it seems clear the Kowboys are playing their best ball, and their confidence has to be at an apex. Momentum-wise, Osceola is a slight favorite to win their class IMO. As you say, Swint can make something out of nothing.

Appreciate this acknowledgement, but you describe this style of play (Methodical Pounding the Rock) as milking the clock because we are "OUTMANNED".  Asked their coach who brought the physical element to win the game. 

[Jullian]

Congrats Ray. Tremendous win! 

[DarterBlue2]

5 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

WHO DAT???  .....TAEVION SWINT!!!  Just got home, but if you were a neutral spectator in the stands tonight scouting these two excellent backs I think it was pretty clear who was the dominant one.  Our rallying cry this time of year is "ONE MORE MONDAY" and we achieved that goal.  Finally, a big shout out to OHS Vargas as a finalist in the pick ems, as not only our kids believed but he did too.  The rest of this great group of pickers all struck out.  Those calling this an "UPSET" must of not seen the same game I did tonight.  Yes, Armwood is terrific and has playmakers all over the field throwing the ball, running the ball and making catches.  Unfortunately, lots of people forget that one of the winning formulas lies in the trenches and we pounded these folks into submission; it was a slow physical beatdown as this didn't come out of thin air but what I heard many Armwood fans saying after the game.  So please, don't act like it was a fluke because all the pundits have not ranked us properly.  GO KOWBOYS!!

Great win, Ray. I have to admit, I thought you would keep it close, but I doubted the Kowboys would win. Figured you would lose by a touchdown or less in a low scoring game. Well the Kowboys proved me wrong and I am very glad they did! It should be noted that the two teams you lost to (Lake Mary and Jones) are state semifinalists like your Kowboys. And Lake Mary made it in running clock fashion literally destroying Seminole. 

There are some solid teams left in 6A, but you have overcome the favorite. Go win state!!

[WindsorCT]

9 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

WHO DAT???  .....TAEVION SWINT!!!  Just got home, but if you were a neutral spectator in the stands tonight scouting these two excellent backs I think it was pretty clear who was the dominant one.  Our rallying cry this time of year is "ONE MORE MONDAY" and we achieved that goal.  Finally, a big shout out to OHS Vargas as a finalist in the pick ems, as not only our kids believed but he did too.  The rest of this great group of pickers all struck out.  Those calling this an "UPSET" must of not seen the same game I did tonight.  Yes, Armwood is terrific and has playmakers all over the field throwing the ball, running the ball and making catches.  Unfortunately, lots of people forget that one of the winning formulas lies in the trenches and we pounded these folks into submission; it was a slow physical beatdown as this didn't come out of thin air but what I heard many Armwood fans saying after the game.  So please, don't act like it was a fluke because all the pundits have not ranked us properly.  GO KOWBOYS!!

Congrats on the win! If you didn’t know the name of the teams, you would 100% have thought Osceola was the favorite and Armwood the dogs. This wasn’t a fluky win with turnovers and blocked punts etc. Osceola basically dominated from start to finish. Armwood play calling was atrocious. First half alone, Osceola had four 4th down stops. The WR fumble in the second half killed Armwood, but honestly, I’m not even sure if that would have mattered. Armwood has some huge lineman, but they weren’t as tough physically as the Kowboys. They deserved the win, and now the 6A favorites are gone. This class is wide open now

[Ray Icaza]

1 hour ago, WindsorCT said:

Congrats on the win! If you didn’t know the name of the teams, you would 100% have thought Osceola was the favorite and Armwood the dogs. This wasn’t a fluky win with turnovers and blocked punts etc. Osceola basically dominated from start to finish. Armwood play calling was atrocious. First half alone, Osceola had four 4th down stops. The WR fumble in the second half killed Armwood, but honestly, I’m not even sure if that would have mattered. Armwood has some huge lineman, but they weren’t as tough physically as the Kowboys. They deserved the win, and now the 6A favorites are gone. This class is wide open now

Armwood was as good as advertised and undoubtedly the best defensive team we faced all year.  But no team has been able to run the ball against our front..... I have repeatedly made that point and last night was no different.  The Hawks have an explosive passing attack and we knew that they would make plays thru the air, we just needed to prevent those over the top for long TD's.  Once in the redzone, the field was more compressed and they needed some production on the ground and it wasn't to be.  On the offensive side, we just needed our QB to protect the football, stay out of negative plays and show on a few occasions his ability to run.  He did that and more which was huge.  The win made the drive home alot more pleasant. 

[Ray Icaza]

4 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Great win, Ray. I have to admit, I thought you would keep it close, but I doubted the Kowboys would win. Figured you would lose by a touchdown or less in a low scoring game. Well the Kowboys proved me wrong and I am very glad they did! It should be noted that the two teams you lost to (Lake Mary and Jones) are state semifinalists like your Kowboys. And Lake Mary made it in running clock fashion literally destroying Seminole. 

There are some solid teams left in 6A, but you have overcome the favorite. Go win state!!

Remember, the Lake Mary game I pointed out Taevion injured his shoulder on his very first carry.  As people can clearly see last night, that man is a difference maker and no one will convince me that the Lake Mary defense is better than the Armwood one.  Like last night where the halftime score was 0-0, at Lake Mary in was 3-0 as we had throttled them with zero running attack.  No guarantee we would have won that game, I am saying just like last night it was a 50/50 game which the final score did not reflect.  

[DarterBlue2]

1 minute ago, Ray Icaza said:

Remember, the Lake Mary game I pointed out Taevion injured his shoulder on his very first carry.  As people can clearly see last night, that man is a difference maker and no one will convince me that the Lake Mary defense is better than the Armwood one.  Like last night where the halftime score was 0-0, at Lake Mary in was 3-0 as we had throttled them with zero running attack.  No guarantee we would have won that game, I am saying just like last night it was a 50/50 game which the final score did not reflect.  

I saw the game on film; I know Taevion got injured early and I have no idea how the game would have went if he was healthy all game. 

I am sure Lake Mary is not as athletic as Armwood is on defense, but their defense did fine last night with two interceptions one of which was a one handed catch for a pick six and the other a long run after the pick that took the ball inside the five. 

Aside from those two timely interceptions, Lake Mary won convincingly because Grubbs had his best game of this season last night. His passes were crisp and accurate and Seminole's secondary was outgunned. I expected they would win, but not as easily as they did.

If they play like they did last night, they will almost certainly avenge their loss to DP and likely with a large point spread win. 

I believe that if, as I expect, the 7A final is Venice vs Lake Mary, it may be an offensive game for the ages, probably like the Apopka vs Cypress Bay final in 2012.

Regarding your opponent next week, they have a good QB and a balanced offense. I don't believe they will have a lot of success running against Osceola, so, if they are to have a chance, their QB will have to have one of his best games of the season. Their defense is solid but gives up points to good teams, so Taevion will have his long runs and touchdowns. How many, I don't know. I watched them beat a good Cardinal Newman team a few weeks ago, and was overall impressed with their game play. 

I believe Osceola will beat them, but they are not a team to be trifled with. 

[ohs vargas]

11 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

WHO DAT???  .....TAEVION SWINT!!!  Just got home, but if you were a neutral spectator in the stands tonight scouting these two excellent backs I think it was pretty clear who was the dominant one.  Our rallying cry this time of year is "ONE MORE MONDAY" and we achieved that goal.  Finally, a big shout out to OHS Vargas as a finalist in the pick ems, as not only our kids believed but he did too.  The rest of this great group of pickers all struck out.  Those calling this an "UPSET" must of not seen the same game I did tonight.  Yes, Armwood is terrific and has playmakers all over the field throwing the ball, running the ball and making catches.  Unfortunately, lots of people forget that one of the winning formulas lies in the trenches and we pounded these folks into submission; it was a slow physical beatdown as this didn't come out of thin air but what I heard many Armwood fans saying after the game.  So please, don't act like it was a fluke because all the pundits have not ranked us properly.  GO KOWBOYS!!

Them boys on a mission and hungry, this they year! 

Cant make it out to Gainesville next week but I will def be watching the Buchholz game on NFHS.

ONE MORE MONDAY!

[WindsorCT]

1 hour ago, Ray Icaza said:

Armwood was as good as advertised and undoubtedly the best defensive team we faced all year.  But no team has been able to run the ball against our front..... I have repeatedly made that point and last night was no different.  The Hawks have an explosive passing attack and we knew that they would make plays thru the air, we just needed to prevent those over the top for long TD's.  Once in the redzone, the field was more compressed and they needed some production on the ground and it wasn't to be.  On the offensive side, we just needed our QB to protect the football, stay out of negative plays and show on a few occasions his ability to run.  He did that and more which was huge.  The win made the drive home alot more pleasant. 

Armwoods identity is based around Pringle. Osceola basically shut him down. Armwoods QB went 19-30 230+yds but like you said, nothing explosive. Osceola did a great job of dragging Armwood into the mud. I don’t know the stats but from watching it, it seemed like the Kowboys had twice as much possession as Armwood. The second half you could feel the pressure Armwood felt like they needed to score every possession. Football is a simple sport. No matter how much it evolves, line play wins. Osceola won both sides of the trenches. Now go beat Bucholtz! 

[OHS_Kboys]

12 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

WHO DAT???  .....TAEVION SWINT!!!  Just got home, but if you were a neutral spectator in the stands tonight scouting these two excellent backs I think it was pretty clear who was the dominant one.  Our rallying cry this time of year is "ONE MORE MONDAY" and we achieved that goal.  Finally, a big shout out to OHS Vargas as a finalist in the pick ems, as not only our kids believed but he did too.  The rest of this great group of pickers all struck out.  Those calling this an "UPSET" must of not seen the same game I did tonight.  Yes, Armwood is terrific and has playmakers all over the field throwing the ball, running the ball and making catches.  Unfortunately, lots of people forget that one of the winning formulas lies in the trenches and we pounded these folks into submission; it was a slow physical beatdown as this didn't come out of thin air but what I heard many Armwood fans saying after the game.  So please, don't act like it was a fluke because all the pundits have not ranked us properly.  GO KOWBOYS!!

@Ray Icaza Appreciate the support that you always give us! It was a great game between 2 great teams. See you at practice! Lol

[Ray Icaza]

54 minutes ago, ohs vargas said:

Them boys on a mission and hungry, this they year! 

Cant make it out to Gainesville next week but I will def be watching the Buchholz game on NFHS.

ONE MORE MONDAY!

We will most definitely make the trip as I was unsure of a road trip to Miami for the semi's.  Gainesville is certainly doable and will be another tough out.  ONE MORE MONDAY!

[Ray Icaza]

54 minutes ago, WindsorCT said:

Armwoods identity is based around Pringle. Osceola basically shut him down. Armwoods QB went 19-30 230+yds but like you said, nothing explosive. Osceola did a great job of dragging Armwood into the mud. I don’t know the stats but from watching it, it seemed like the Kowboys had twice as much possession as Armwood. The second half you could feel the pressure Armwood felt like they needed to score every possession. Football is a simple sport. No matter how much it evolves, line play wins. Osceola won both sides of the trenches. Now go beat Bucholtz! 

Armwood let their best opportunities to score slip thru their fingers in the first quarter.  We chose to receive and after a quick 3 and out we shanked a punt for no yardage and they started their first drive on our 25 and came up empty.  Their next two possessions were also in plus territory, once at the 45 and then at the 46 showing no points again.  The entire first quarter was played on our end of the field and we finally got field position flipped with our only drive of the half midway thru the 2nd.  Defenses were very stingy, but slowly as the game ground on you could start seeing the change in the body language in the Armwood players as they were obviously feeling the pressure.  Buchholz will be another tough challenge, but at this stage that is the nature of the beast.  

[Ray Icaza]

34 minutes ago, OHS_Kboys said:

@Ray Icaza Appreciate the support that you always give us! It was a great game between 2 great teams. See you at practice! Lol

MONDAY!!!!   Great job coach.