Osceola, W. Orange started this run together
Even coaches at West Orange and Kissimmee Osceola are surprised at how soon the programs are reuniting after facing off in an Aug. 21 Kickoff Classic.
On Friday, the Warriors (12-1) and Kowboys (12-1) meet up again in a Class 8A state semifinal showdown in Kissimmee. That was the site of a 28-28 tie in preseason play 15 weeks ago. Osceola was on top 28-21 through three varsity quarters in that game.
There will be no ties this time around in a rematch with so much more on the line. The outcome will likely be dictated by how well each team defends the offensive specialty of the other.
“They’ve played 13 ballgames since they played us,” Osceola coach Doug Nichols said. “Some things are going to change and some aren’t.
“They’re still going to snap the ball to (senior quarterback) Woody Barrett and he’s going to run it, and people are going to jump on his back to try to tackle him before he throws it.”
The preseason game against West Orange fit into a bigger plan for the Kowboys, who are in their first season in 8A after finishing as state runners-up in 7A a year ago.
For the Warriors to keep their historic postseason run alive, they must first find a way to get past yet another run-heavy option attack team.
“The reason we played them [in the preseason] was because we knew they were a great coached team, and I wanted to play them just to get my team ready to play Apopka and those type of teams,” West Orange coach Bob Head said.
State semifinal admission is $9. Osceola is pre-selling tickets at the front office beginning at noon today.