Lakeland, FL – With the new playoff format implemented, area high school teams were forced to hunt down stiffer competition in order to be in the playoff hunt come November. Kissimmee Osceola and Lake Gibson meet up last night for some Thursday Night football in a contest of large class heavy hitters. Both teams have played in the state championship game in recent years; Lake Gibson last season in class 6A title game. Osceola was the 8A state runner up in 2015.

Osceola took their wing-T offense into Virgil Ramage Stadium moving the ball extremely effective in the fist quarter scoring on their first two offensive possessions. Spectrum Sports reported the Kowboys only threw six passes in the entire game. Kowboys took an early 14-0 lead before the Braves settled down and played better defensively.

It took a while before the Lake Gibson offense finally got going on the back of starting running back Travell Jones who ended the game with 43 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Auburndale transfer QB Travis Williams finished the game 11 of 16, for 106 yards and a touchdown. The Osceola defensive front four consistently penetrated the offensively line slowing down Jones momentum before he could even get going. Lake Gibson Senior ATH Cristian Smith added a few good runs contributing to the offensive success.

Osceola QB Braxton Jones ran the ship effectively finishing 3 of 6 and 53 yards and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Da’Nas Pinellas on the Kowboys first offensive play. The Kowboys kept the Braves off balanced with the inside and outside game, counter plays and misdirection passes. Solid game plan against an aggressive defense. “The Kowboys had seven diffent rushers carry the ball, led by standout Malcolm Davidson. Davidson, the Spectrum Sports Player of the Game, had 109 yards rushing on 10 carries.” – Spectrum Sports

Osceola will host St. Cloud Next Friday while Lake Gibson will travel a few miles to face underrated Kathleen.