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This was the final week of the regular season for Pinellas County high school football. One of those teams was the Pinellas Park Patriots. The Patriots entered the final week riding a three-game winning streak. That meant a win in their last game against the Osceola Warriors would secure them a playoff spot for the third straight year. The Warriors, on the other hand, had already punched their ticket to the postseason.
It had been an up-and-down season for Pinellas Park, but the Patriots still had a chance to make the playoffs — and no matter what, they would finish without a losing record. It was also Senior Night, and before kickoff, the school honored its senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members. At halftime, the Patriots inducted five new members into their Hall of Fame.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle between two motivated teams. The Warriors took the field in white jerseys with blue pants and helmets, while the Patriots wore their home red tops with white pants and helmets. Osceola won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The stands were packed with energy — on one side, parents, friends, and families celebrating the Patriots’ seniors; on the other, a lively Warriors crowd ready to cheer every big play.
Pinellas Park opened the game with promise on offense until quarterback Frank Cherry fumbled while scrambling. The Warriors capitalized on the turnover, turning it into a field goal after the Patriots’ defense held them out of the end zone. But the fumbles kept coming. Another one in the first half led to an Osceola touchdown, extending the Warriors’ lead to 10-0. A third turnover in the second quarter nearly sealed the Patriots’ fate, but before halftime, they finally broke through for a touchdown. The score at halftime was 13-6 after Pinellas Park failed a two-point conversion — a costly issue since their kicker was unavailable.
In the second half, the Patriots shifted gears and leaned on their passing game. Earlier in the season, they had relied heavily on the run, but this time they found success through the air. Late in the game, Osceola struggled to contain the passing attack as Pinellas Park clawed their way back. The Patriots scored a late touchdown and, for the first time in three tries, successfully converted a two-point conversion on a crossing route in the end zone.
With the score tied near the end of regulation, the Patriots had a chance to win with a field goal — but again, without a kicker, they had to go for a pass play, which fell incomplete. The game went to overtime.
Each team got the ball at the 10-yard line with four chances to score. Pinellas Park had possession first but came up empty. The Patriots’ defense held strong for three plays on Osceola’s turn, but the Warriors lined up for a game-winning field goal — and nailed it. Final score: Osceola 23, Pinellas Park 20.
It was a tough, emotional loss for the Patriots. Now, they’ll need some help to make the playoffs. Despite the disappointment, it was a night filled with effort, heart, and pride — fitting for the seniors who gave their all one last time under the Friday night lights.
Can the Patriots bounce back after a tough loss in their final regular-season season? Leave a comment below.
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Author Profile
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Director of Operations for NGSC Sports
Covers USF Athletics in Football, Baseball, Lacrosse, and Softball.
Also covered both major and minor league baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays and Clearwater Threshers.
He also covers college football bowl and conference championship games.
It might seem like just covers team sports he also covers both the PGA & LIV Tours and writes and announces for the Pinellas Park High School Patriots in football and basketball.
He also has two sports podcasts in the P&W Sports Report and The Walker Report.
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