Sickles’ dream season came to an end last night. The Gryphons lost 19-15 to Osceola (Kissimmee) in a game, which had its moments.
Observations from Friday Night
1. Area leading rusher, Ray-Ray McCloud entered the game vs. Osceola with 285 carries (24 carries per game), 2262 total rushing yards (189 yards per game) and 26 rushing TDs…ended the game with just 36 yards on 12 carries. It was not that Osceola was hammering him, but rather lack of opportunity to get going. Sickles first 3 offensive possessions, McCloud carried the ball 3 times. He was not even the primary running back for the majority of the first half. TE, Chet Levay was the primary ball carrier much of the game. Entering the contest, Levay had 10 carries for 51 yards.
McCloud lined up at WR the majority of the night. A number of times, there was confusion amongst the Sickles players trying to figure out who was remaining in the game and at what position during substitutions because Ray-Ray was not at the deep back. He did not appear to be hampered by any injury as he looked great in warm ups and even better on his 87 yard receiving TD for Sickles first score. The question was even whispered on the Kowboy sideline, “Why is 34 not running the ball?”
No team all year has been able to stop Ray-Ray McCloud. Not Plant, East Bay…Not Tampa Bay Tech or Plant City. Some of the better defenses gave up 147 rushing yards or more to Ray-Ray McCloud. Osceola did not stop him. They never really had the opportunity to take those bragging rights and Ray-Ray never had the opportunity to contribute in the way he had been doing all year long.
2. Coming into this game, Sickles played some similar misdirection, double wing teams. Newsome, Steinbrenner, East Bay and Durant all provided the Gryphons some experience and prepared them for what they would see from the Kowboys. But, Osceola ran it slightly better, a few more athletic skill players and were just a little tougher. Sickles defense struggled most of the night defending the run. Osceola FB Laderrien Wilson led the team with 123 rushing yards and a TD while QB Daequan Harrison added 76 yards on the ground.
The Gryphons defended the pass well, however the Kowboys chucked away with 5 yards here, 7 yards there using the dive, counter and counter trap. Sickles showed flashes of superiority making a few tackles behind the line of scrimmage. But overall, Osceola was too tough running the ball. The Gryphon defense started to get worn down in the second half. They were on the field too long and too much with the lack of offensive production.
3. Sickles running game usually opens up their passing game. Run McCloud, defense starts to stack the box and Holder throws over their head. Simple concept, easy to game plan against, HARD to stop. It has worked every game the Gryphons have played in this year.
In only 2 of 12 games this season has QB Isaac Holder thrown more passes than Ray-Ray McCloud had rushing attempts. In both of those games (Durant and Wiregrass Ranch) Sickles won by a combined total 63-7.
Last night, McCloud had 12 carries, Holder 21 attempts. To his credit, he completed 13 of those passes for 161 yards. But it was evident from the very first drive; Sickles was going to attempt to loosen up the Kowboy defense first, before establishing the running game. First series, 3 downs and out on 3 straight passes. It did not feel like Sickles could sustain the lead without running the ball effectively. They were not chewing up enough clock or winning the field position battle. With how Osceola was moving the ball and keeping the Sickles defense on the field, some timely drives resulting in at least 3 points would have done a lot of good.
4. DE Josh Black, DE Deven Santana, QB Isaac Holder and WR Jaaron Barrett played well. The two defensive ends attracted plenty of attention and made some big plays. Holder and Barrett were on the money much of the night. Showed a “Trust” between the two and made plays!
Sickles ends the season at 11-2, best season in school history.