For Osceola coach George Palmer, watching game tape this week was like sitting through a horror film.
Tonight's opponent, Sarasota Booker, is scary. Palmer counted at least five Division I prospects, including running back Terrance Jones, quarterback Anthony Salgado and tight end/defensive end Chris Zellner.
Led by that trio, the Tornadoes have scored 153 points, including 41 in one quarter against Venice, en route to a 4-0 record and No. 6 ranking in the Class 3A state poll.
"They don't have many weaknesses," Palmer said. "We're going to have to play awfully well to win."
But the Warriors don't have any fear facing a powerful opponent in a key Class 3A, District 11 game.
In fact, the Warriors are quite thrilled to be playing for something that matters.
For the past two years, Osceola, faced with playing in a tough district full of out-of-county teams such as Jesuit and Bradenton Southeast, opted for an independent schedule and was ineligible for the playoffs.
And after playing strictly county foes, the Warriors wanted to play for something more than pride.
"We kind of felt like the past two years were sort of like junior varsity games because all we were playing for was a bowl game," running back Tyler Gross said. "Now we have something bigger to shoot for and, hopefully, keep our season going with the playoff berth."
Osceola has confidence after outscoring opponents 182-32 during their first four games, but its strength of schedule is not strong. Osceola's opponents are a combined 3-13. Still, the players said it doesn't matter.
"I know there are people out there who think we're still a joke and that we haven't played anybody," linebacker Justin Kirkland said. "But we're not out here just beating teams. We're skunking them. We know that we're for real, and if we beat Booker, there isn't another team that can stop us."
