October 9, 2024

By DAVID PIERCE Sports Connection Team The Osceola Seminoles host the second of three games against the one of the top four teams in the 3A-3 Conference Friday. This week the Seminoles welcome Newport (4-1, 1-1) which is fresh off a frustrating last second loss to Rivercrest...

By DAVID PIERCE

Sports Connection Team

The Osceola Seminoles host the second of three games against the one of the top four teams in the 3A-3 Conference Friday.

This week the Seminoles welcome Newport (4-1, 1-1) which is fresh off a frustrating last second loss to Rivercrest.

How important is it to Osceola head coach Robert Hooks that matchups with Walnut Ridge, Newport and rival Rivercrest are on the Seminoles home field?

“No doubt about it,” he replied, “it’s huge. To have all three here on our home turf before a good crowd with the band playing that means a lot. You’re in familiar territory, no travel, yeah I’ll take that. Fan support can make a difference.”

The Seminoles have been beaten the Greyhounds in six of nine games since 2000 but have lost the last two in non-conference matchups the last two seasons. Hooks, however, is undefeated against Newport defeating them all three times (2017-19) in his first stint at Osceola.

Last week, in the first of only three home games, Osceola (3-1, 2-0) built a 26-point advantage against Walnut Ridge and held on to win 26-14.

Hooks is adamant that his team must put together a complete game if it intends to challenge for conference and state titles.

Discounting the season opening loss to Ensworth, Tenn., the Seminoles have outscored their last three opponents 70-0 in the first half only to be at a 33-31 disadvantage in the final two quarters of play.

Newport seemingly scores at will, averaging 51 points per game behind an offense led by quarterback Luke Reynolds and running back Kiandrea Barker. The pair has combined for 1,328 yards and 19 touchdowns through five games.

Though Osceola’s defense has been stellar, surrendering just 78 points in the last three games, it hasn’t quite faced an offense with the explosiveness of Newport since its opener.

“Obviously, Newport is a great team,” said Hooks after his team defeated Walnut Ridge. “We’ll have to play our best game to beat them.”

Beating them will not only require a significant effort from its defense but the Seminoles must be able to put points on the scoreboard through all four quarters.

Both sides of the football will be hindered by the absence of M.J. Washington who was ejected from the Oct. 4 game against Walnut Ridge after two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

He won’t be available until the fourth quarter because of the ejection.

Washington has proven to be a top performer scoring seven touchdowns in multiple ways. The junior has reached the end zone on pass receptions, rushing, and two defensive scores. He also has a passing touchdown to his credit.

In his absence, Tyler Bell will need to follow his breakout game against Walnut Ridge with one to equal or better. He threw for 189 yards and a score, while rushing for 147 more. All in all, he had his hands in 336 of the Seminoles 413 total yards.

Jeremiah Jacobs has been a mainstay on both sides of the football. The senior has rushed for more than 200 yards and is among the top tacklers on the team.

Newport’s defense is vulnerable allowing a season worst 48 points to Rivercrest after holding teams to just about 20 ppg in its first four games.

Could this be a shootout similar to the Colts-Greyhound matchup last week?

For Hooks, it’s not how many total points are scored but that the Seminoles put together four good quarters of football and that should go a long way in his team coming out on top.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Maurice Carthon Field.

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