Osceola defense slams door on Lions 21-0

Osceola came into Friday night's 3A-3 conference football showdown at Manila as a slight underdog. But the Seminoles put together their most complete game of the season, sparked by a stifling defense, to shut out Manila 21-0 on rain soaked Lion Field.

Manila defenders Justin Walton (21) and Logan Hamilton (24) wrap up Osceola running back Brendon Parker during Friday night football action at Lion Field. (Town Crier photos/Trent Fletcher)

The Seminoles scored on their first possession of the game, traveling 73 yards in nine plays, capped off by fullback Colby Woodson's 35-yard touchdown romp. The point after sailed through the uprights, giving Osceola a 7-0 lead at the 9:33 mark of the opening period.

Manila put together a drive of its own, and reached the Osceola 31, thanks to a 22-yard Aaron Carter run and an 11-yard scamper by Josh McQueen. But the drive stalled, ending with an incomplete Jake Helton pass on fourth down.

Osceola struck again early in the second period when quarterback Darion Flie found wide receiver Deven Jones in the corner of the end zone for a six yard touchdown strike. A botched point after attempt left the Seminoles holding a 13-0 lead that they would take into the dressing room at the half.

Manila linebacker Josh Waddell (14) bats away a pass intended for Osceola wide receiver Darrious Bradley Friday night at Lion Field.

Manila threatened late in the third quarter. An 11-yard run by Carter and a 14-yard blast by McQueen, followed by a face mask penalty on Osceola, gave the Lions a first down deep in Seminole territory at the 20 yard line. But Osceola's defense rose to the occasion, holding Manila to minus four yards over the next four downs to retake possession.

Osceola put the game out of reach midway through the fourth quarter, driving 76 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a five yard touchdown run by Brendon Parker. Flie's two point conversion pass to Derrell Brown set the final score at 21-0.

The Seminoles were determined to keep Manila's top offensive threat, Jake Helton, in check and succeeded in holding the senior quarterback to minus two rushing yards on 14 attempts. Carter led the Lions with 11 carries for 74 yards while McQueen rushed six times for 46 more. Michael Dixon had four rushes for 11 yards while D.J. Myers carried one time for five yards. Manila was limited to just 131 yards of total offense on 47 plays, an average of only 2.8 yards per play.

Manila wide receiver Patrick Tanner fights for yardage during Friday night's 3A-3 conference clash with Osceola. The Seminoles used a smothering defense to shut out the Lions 21-0.

The Seminoles piled up 302 yards total offense with 196 coming on the ground and 106 through the air. Flie completed seven of 20 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Bradley led Osceola in receiving with three catches for 62 yards. Brown topped the Seminole runners, carrying 14 times for 70 yards while Parker had 16 rushes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Woodson had five totes for 41 yards and a score.

"I thought we played a pretty good game," said Lion Coach Jerry Castor. "You just hate to lose these type games. But we still have a half season to go. The kids will come back out hard. I was proud of them tonight. They never laid down. You have to give Osceola credit. They have some quick kids and they showed us something on defense we hadn't seen before. They played a good ball game. Osceola really keyed on Jake tonight, but I thought Carter and McQueen both ran the ball well. We need to throw the ball a little better so we can loosen the defense up. That will come with time."

Manila (3-3, 1-2 3A-3) will host Rivercrest Friday night at Lion Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00.