3 takeaways from Kissimmee Osceola's decisive 6A region final victory over Armwood

The Kowboys' defense shut down the Hawks' vaunted offense and clock controlled on offense

Taevion Swint of Osceola is tackled by a pair of Viera defenders during their game Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The game was delayed from last Friday due to Hurricane Milton. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TO2AY via USA TODAY NETWORK / Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

SEFFNER, FLORIDA- Armwood looked like a team of destiny heading into Friday night's Class 6A, Region 2 final against Kissimmee Osceola.

A Hawks team hungry to return the program to its former glory of their state championship years, they looked destined to make a return to the big dance. One exception: Kissimmee Osceola had other plans on Black Friday.

Behind a stout defensive effort and steady run game, the Kowboys were able to leave Lyle Flagg Field with a 17-7 victory over the Hawks, booking their ticket to the 6A state semifinals. Kissimmee Osceola will face Buchholz at Citizens Field next week.

High School On SI was on hand for the contest and gives you three takeaways from the game:

1. Kissimmee Osceola lulled Armwood into playing their kinda game

Lakeland (13) Kamaurri Mckinley trips up Osceola (4) Taevion Swint during first half action in Lakeland Fl Friday December 2,2022.Ernst Peters/The Ledger 120222 Ep Preps 10 News / Ernst Peters/The Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

If you have ever watched the Kissimmee Osceola Kowboys, you know that this team leans heavily on playing really good defense and running the ball effectively. Both of those things happened on Friday night, equaling a win for the Kowboys in doing so. UCF commitment Taevion Swint led the ground attack, rushing for a game-high 118 yards on just 16 touches and scoring two touchdowns. Defensively, the Kowboys keyed on Armwood tailback Girard Pringle Jr. and shutdown the Miami (FL) commitment, holding the senior to just 45 yards on 16 attempts. Though Armwood out-gained Kissimmee Osceola 286-218, they played into the kind of game the Kowboys like and that's a knock out, drag it out kinda contest. By the time the Hawks began getting things somewhat going offensively, it was too late.

2. Armwood's Rhys Brush tried leading the comeback trail late

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The Hawks (12-1) were absolutely not going to go down without swinging and they made every effort to stage a comeback throughout the final two quarters. It would be quarterback Rhys Brush attempting to lead the charge at the end, with the signal caller completing 19-of-30 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Williams (Georgia commitment) was the go-to-target for Brush, with the receiver hauling in seven passes for a game-high 128 yards. Olontae Dean also contributed, catching seven passes for 68 yards.

3. Give the Cowboys credit: This is a battle-tested group

Looking back at the regular season schedule for the Kowboys, you would learn quickly that this is a very battle tested bunch. The only two losses Eric Pinellas' group lost to, Lake Mary and Jones, are both also still playing next week in the state semifinals. The loss to Jones became the ultimate learning tool for the Kowboys, winners of eight straight since the overtime loss to the Fightin' Tigers. Though it has become a surprise to many, heck, including this writer himself, Kissimmee Osceola is every bit of capable of winning it all after knocking off Armwood.

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolsi