Osceola gets W. Orange rematch
Chad Mascoe fired a 30-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Jean-Baptiste with 1 minute, 31 seconds to go to lead Kissimmee Osceola to a 28-21 win at Lithia Newsome in a Class 8A Region 3 football quarterfinal Friday night.
The winning drive spanned 94 yards. Osceola defensive lineman John Walker recorded back-toback sacks to secure the outcome on Newsome’s final possession.
Newsome (8-3) led 21-13 after three quarters. The Kowboys (9-2) tied the score when Taevion Swint reached the end zone on a 1-yard run and Mascoe connected with Jean Baptiste for the two-point play midway through the fourth.
“It’s never easy in the postseason,” Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said. “Newsome came in with a great scheme and we hurt ourselves with penalties. We showed a lot of character and did what we had to do to win the game.”
Osceola plays at West Orange (10-1) for the second time this season in a region semifinal Friday. The Warriors won 35-21 when the district opponents met Oct. 22.
West Orange crushed Plant City Durant 55-6 as Terrell Walden rushed nine times for 42 yards and four TDs.
Walden, who missed last week’s 21-9 win at Olympia due to concussion protocol, said he’s scored three times in a game several times but never four.
“I was so sad not playing [against Olympia], but I was there to encourage my teammates,” Walden said. “I told them I’d be back as soon as I can. I came back and showed out.”
Tyler Huff completed 9 of 11 pass attempts, including a 30-yard TD toss to Eddie Kelly and a 12-yard TD to Jayden Gibson. West Orange’s defense recorded three sacks and forced four turnovers that led to scores.
Jones High (9-2) had its hands full in a rematch at home versus Daytona Beach Mainland (5-5) before pulling out a 35-28 win in 6A Region 2.
The Tigers trailed 21-20 entering the fourth quarter. Jones moved the chains on a fourth-and-2 run by Derrick Rogers, then took the lead for good on a 6-yard quarterback keeper by Julian Calvez and successful two-point conversion.
Stephen Sparrow intercepted a pass late in the fourth that led to a clinching TD by Da’Quan Harris on the next play. Harris rushed for four TDs in the win.
Bishop Moore’s defense stopped a two-point try with 16 seconds to play to preserve a 21-20 road upset against No. 2 seed Dunnellon (9-2) in 5A-2.
The Hornets, the No. 7 seed, led 14-0 at halftime. Dunnellon scored with time running out and opted to play for the win rather than overtime.
Convincing wins: Lopsided FHSAA region quarterfinal playoff wins were turned in Friday by top teams in the Orlando area.
Sanford Seminole (10-1) began its 8A state title defense with a bang during a 41-27 Region 1 win over visiting Winter Park (6-5). The ’Noles built a 22-0 halftime lead and led 41-7 after three quarters.
Senior Demari Henderson, junior Darren Lawrence and sophomores Justin Rosado and Marvin Brown each caught a TD pass. Junior defensive back Antonio Simpson recovered a fumble and senior Ja’Cari Henderson returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Also in 8A-1, host Apopka (9-2) put together a dominating secondhalf performance while recording six sacks in a 42-0 victory versus St. Johns Creekside (8-3). The Blue Darters, in the playoffs for the 22nd straight season, have recorded five shutouts in 2021.
Keyondray Jones rushed for two touchdowns and Zeldrick Roberts reached the end zone on a rush and fumble return.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Apopka coach Jeff Rolson said. “Great job by our offense and great job by the defense and special teams.”
Boone (8-3) leaned on big plays while dominating Wellington (7-4) in a 42-7 win in 8A-2.
Junior Exavian Westbrook scored on a 46-yard run on the first possession for the Braves and JaCorey Thomas added a 17-yard TD reception from Casey St. John midway through the second quarter.