Football preview: No. 10 Osceola — Aug. 15

Osceola

At a glance

Coach: Cody Montgomery, third season

Class: 3, District 7 (Metro)

Last season: 8-3

Key players: WR/CB/FS Elmannual Brooks, Sr.; RB/LB Ivan Brown, Sr.; RB/CB/FS Nathan Carter, Jr.; LB/WR/FS Brogan Coleman, Jr.; SB/CB/FS Dillon Doyle, Sr.; WR/TE/SS Kai Eberhart, Sr.; C/DT Evan Futch, Sr.; OG/DT Calen Guerin, Sr.; QB Owen Hinote, Sr.; TE/LS/DE Jeremy Jenkins, Jr.; DE/OT Brian Rodriguez, Sr.; LB/TE Drake Saltarelli, Jr.; CB/LB Avery Tuttle, Sr. 

Schedule

Aug. 26 at Palm Harbor University, 7:30

Sept. 2 at Dunedin, 7:30

Sept. 9 vs. Tarpon Springs, 7:30

Sept. 16 vs. St. Petersburg, 7:30

Sept. 23 Bye

Sept. 30 vs. Seminole, 7:30

Oct. 7 vs. Northeast, 7:30

Oct. 14 vs. Countryside, 7:30

Oct. 21 at DeSoto County, 7:30

Oct. 28 at Largo 7:30

Nov. 4 vs. Hollins, 7:30

Outlook 

Last year, Osceola went 8-3 as an independent. It was the most wins for the program in a single season since 2006. The Warriors wanted more, so they got back into a district (Class 3-7 in the Metro Division) in order to compete for a playoff berth. The main focus is winning a district title.Osceola is well-equipped to do just that. The running game is the strength on offense with Ivan Brown (679 yards, 10 touchdowns last season) and Nate Carter (713 yards, three touchdowns) both returning. Kai Eberhart, who finished with 434 yards and five touchdowns receiving, will help ease the transition at quarterback, where Owen Hinote takes over as the starter. Evan Futch, Calen Guerin and Brian Rodriguez are among the returners on the offensive line. On defense, Brogan Coleman (117 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions) is the leader. Elmannuel Brooks (66 tackles, two interceptions) and Rodriguez (39 tackles, two sacks) are also solid contributors.