Both Osceola and Seminole high schools advance to the state final four in different classes.
By LAURA LEE
Published February 25, 2004
SEMINOLE - Starting today in Fort Lauderdale, two south Pinellas high schools, barely five miles apart, will pursue glory in soccer.
By Saturday, both Osceola and Seminole's boys teams could be state champions. But who's top dog in the neighborhood, you might ask? Well, they haven't played each other this year. The only way to settle that is on the field.
Like good neighbors, they wish each other well. "I hope Osceola wins," Seminole senior Morgan Riley said. "For the county, it'll say the quality of soccer here is higher than everywhere else. Pinellas County soccer is awesome. It's got it going on."
Seminole, the defending Class 5A champion, plays Merritt Island in a semifinal at 5 p.m. today. The 5A title game is 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Osceola, returning to the final four after consecutive appearances in the late 1990s, plays Rockledge in a 4A semifinal at 7:30 Friday night. The 4A championship match is Saturday evening.
Despite their proximity, the schools hardly have a soccer relationship - a contrast to the frenzy the football programs have created. Osceola and Seminole soccer teams have met a few times in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship game, most recently in 2000. Osceola won.
Both schools are in the Seminole area, and several players have been teammates and opponents on competitive clubs such as the Clearwater Chargers, Largo United, St. Pete Surf and Pinellas Park Inter-United. But during the high school season, the teams rarely meet.
"I wish it was a rivalry," Riley said. "We really need one that's close for our fans to come out for."
But at this point, a regular-season meeting would have no effect on the schools' post-season chances. Osceola, with fewer students, is in a smaller classification than Seminole.
Instead, the Warhawks get pumped up for games against St. Petersburg and Northeast, which they faced three and four times this season. Osceola has developed rivalries with Lakewood and Tampa Jesuit.
As they enter the state final four, both teams carry different personalities with them. Osceola has a lower profile, having played the bulk of their games in Manatee County.
Seminole is the reigning state champ, adding to its image this year by playing in a national tournament.
Osceola was lucky to have "three parents" at their regular season home games, Warrior senior Juan Nieto said. Seminole's crowds might push 100.
Nieto, a center midfielder, said his team is perceived as being one step below Seminole.
"They look down to us," Nieto said. "I would love to challenge Seminole."
In a way, the squads are coming together this week at the state tournament. They're staying at the same hotel, the Sunrise Hilton, which has been host to national soccer teams from Colombia, Canada, Holland and other countries. The hotel has a professional-size soccer field, a smaller practice field, training room and laundry services.
Getting this far is " a great thing for Seminole and Osceola," Seminole coach Rick Masi said. "And it goes to show a lot what the local programs do to help out."
And who knows? Maybe after taking care of business in Fort Lauderdale, they can arrange one more game, just for fun.
BOYS STATE SOCCER FINAL FOUR
WHEN: Today-Saturday
WHERE: Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale
GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 75 south toward Naples. At Exit 19, take I-595 east to Exit 10A. Take I-95 north to Exit 32 (State Road 870/Commercial Boulevard). Left onto W Commercial Boulevard/NW 50th Street. Right onto NW 12th Avenue/Oriole Boulevard. The stadium is at 5201 NW 12th Ave.
ADMISSION: $7.
SCHEDULE:
Today
Class 5A semifinal: Seminole (21-5-3) vs. Merritt Island (20-3-1), 5 p.m.
Class 5A semifinal: Nova (Davie) (17-1-3) vs. Gaither (18-6-1), 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Class 5A championship, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Class 4A Semifinal: Lecanto (24-1-1) vs. Leon (Tallahassee) (19-2-4), 2:30 p.m.
Class 4A semifinal: Osceola (13-2-3) vs. Rockledge (19-3-6), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Class 4A championship, 5 p.m.
FINAL FOUR HISTORY
Seminole won state titles in 1982 and 2003; it lost in the state semifinal game in 1984.
Osceola went to the state final four in 1998 and 1999 and lost both times in the championship game to Jesuit.
