Four new starters will lead the ‘O’

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The Osceola High offensive linemen know that the pressure is on them as the Kowboys prepare for the 2012 football season.

OHS is loaded with experienced, talented running backs like Stafon McCray, Devantae Small and Scooter Fagan.

Last year, OHS rolled over opponents for more than 3,000 rushing yards, about 90 percent of their total offensive production.

But, most of the “big uglies” from last season – Adam Stickel, Reggie Turner, Cody Nelson, Bryan Hurtado and Heath Rinkus – graduated, leaving the offense’s fate in the hands of a new group of blockers.

Senior Josh Phelps, a 6-1, 285-pound guard, said this year’s linemen have vowed to be just as good as last season’s.

“Coach (Mike) Braun came in and did a lot of work with us in the spring,” Phelps, a preseason second-team all-state selection by floridahsfootball.com, said. “We’re going to be as good as we were last year. The five guys I’m with are going to take care of it.”

Kowboys Coach Doug Nichols knows that not much will happen unless his new linemen execute. In addition,  Daequan Harrison, a former receiver, or Fagan must adjust to new roles at quarterback.

Nichols was pleasantly surprised when the offensive line performed well at the spring game at Lake Gibson. Although OHS lost, the Kowboys scored three touchdowns (one on a punt return) and moved the ball well as players like senior Tyler Evans and juniors Kevin Mendez, Malik Howard and Carlos Maxwell did their jobs. Sophomore Rahim Aly will also see plenty of action. Phelps missed spring practice due to an injury.

“That was encouraging,” Nichols said. “We’re pretty young there, but most of those guys have been through our system a couple years and they understand their roles. I think we’re going to be OK.”

Mendez, a 230-pound tackle, said that the linemen will be well-prepared come Aug. 24, when OHS travels to Freedom for the Kickoff Classic.

“Our coaches brought us out and did everything they could to get us prepared,” he said. “We’re going to leave everything out there.”

Evans, a center, said the OHS linemen may not be the biggest group (he weighs in at 185 pounds), but it will be one of the most aggressive.

“I don’t want to say that we’re going to be better than last year. That was a good group, but we can be just as good,” he said. “We’re going to be pumped up.”

Stafon McCray, also a preseason all-state selection by floridahsfootball.com, has confidence that his blockers will execute.

“I’m not worried about them at all,” McCray, who is considering scholarship offers from Florida International and Iowa State, said. “They put in a lot of work this summer. We’re gonna steamroll teams in the regular season.”

Evans said the linemen will live up to expectations, and the Kowboys offense will roll as it usually has in the past.

“We’re just gonna hit ‘em in the mouth,” he said.