Kissimmee Osceola is making their second straight appearance in a FHSAA State Championship Game. Last year, the Kowboys were dismantled 31-0 by Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 7A final. This year, they return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl to play Pembroke Pines Flanagan in the Class 8A Final. Osceola won its only state championship in 1998, defeating Estero 28-14 for the Class 5A State Championship. Osceola was a state runner up in 2007(5A) and 1982(3A).

Osceola comes into the game hanging their hats on a strong running game that features four seniors with at least 799 yards rushing. Fullback Laderrien Wilson is a 5-10 210 pound bruiser that ran for 1,982 yards on 215 carries and scored 28 touchdowns. Starting running back Malcolm Davidson had 1,181 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on just 89 carries! Marcus Edwards rushed for 813 yards and scored 7 touchdowns, the wingback also caught 6 passes for 155 yards, with 2 going for scores. He is also dangerous is the return game, he averages 36.7 yards per kickoff return. Nazayah Brown ran for 799 yards and 11 touchdowns from his wingback position and gives Osceola another solid  option in its ground attack.

The forward pass is an option rarely used in Kowboy offensive play calling, they've only attempted 36 passes all season long. Senior quarterback Isaiah Wilson completed 12 of those throws for 270 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Jamari Watson, a 6-1 210 pound senior tight end caught 2 passes for 19 yards and sophomore  wide receiver Braxton Jones snagged 2 passes for 58 yards and one touchdown. They are Wilson's targets when Osceola takes to the air.

Junior linebaker Dwight Pinellas leads the Kowboys in tackles with 123, he also recorded 11tfl and 2 sacks. Trey Shine is a sophomore linebacker that added 74 tackles and 6tfl. TJ Kelly is a 6-0 255 pound senior defensive end who made 63 tackles, 13tfl, and 11.5 sacks.

Seniors Cordai Dennis(72 tackles 3tfl), Carlos Becker(69 tackles 4tfl) and Devon Clarke lead a solid Osceola defensive backfield. Junior Marcus Jackson(54 tackles 2tfl) is the other starter teaming with the senior trio.

Pembroke Pines Flanagan makes their state championship game debut in Class 8A. The Falcons bring a ferocious defense into the title game, they have shutout 6 different opponents, and they only give up 6.3 points per game.

Five seniors anchor the Dirty Birds defense led by linebackers Devin Bush Jr.(60 tackles 1.5 sacks) and Devin Gil(48 tackles 1.5 sacks). Defensive ends Jordan Eubanks(34 tackles 5.5 sacks) and Fabian Gordon(36 tackles 5.5 sacks) lead the defensive line. Josh Metellus is a solid strong safety who made 50 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Stanford Samuels III is a highly touted junior cornerback.

On offense, senior quarterback  Kalyn "Kato" Nelson leads the Flanagan offense. He has passed for 1.404 yards 16tds and 2ints. he completed 61% of his passes, rushed for 354 yards, and 5tds. Nelson also missed three games with an injury and Stanford Samuels III played quarterback when he was sidelined. Samuels passed for 532 yards with 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, and rushed for 158 yards and 6 scores.

A quartet of senior will be the targets for Nelson. Jahcour Pearson(31 catches 486 yards 2tds), Clevan Thomas(30 catches 400 yards 7tds), Dredrick snelson(24 catches 378 yards 4tds), and Isaiah Collins(23 catches 284 yards) will look to be on the receiving end of the passes from Nelson.

Junior running back Anthony Johnson(34 carries 248 yards 4tds) and senior running back Darius Alexander(24 carries 106 yards 2tds) lead the Falcon's running game.

 

PREDICTION: PEMBROKE PINES FLANAGAN FALCONS 33                                                                                    KISSIMMEE OSCEOLA KOWBOYS 7