On October fourth, the Oviedo Lions faced off against cross-town rival Hagerty in the pair’s 19th all-time matchup. The Lions prevailed for their 8th straight season beating the Huskies 42-28. Oviedo fans expected another blowout in the rivalry but the Huskies had other plans, jumping out to a 21-7 lead in the first half. The Lions were able to tie the game up before halftime 21-21 and never looked back, finishing the game on a 35-7 run.
The Lions were led by quarterback Jerome Curry who saved one of his best performances of the season for the rivalry, totaling 185 yards and two touchdowns on the night. Quarterback play was the difference Friday night as Hagerty’s quarterback would turn the ball over four different times compared to Curry’s one turnover.
However, the jump that Hagerty had on their rival had Oviedo fans, students, and staff feeling nervous for their team and the game’s outcome. With a strong last couple of games from Oviedo’s defense, it was a shock to see them falter against a team now ranked 111 places lower than them in Florida’s ranking.
Fortunately, the Lions were quick on their feet Friday night and turned the game around. Every player on the field knew that losing to their rival wasn’t even an option, and they used that motivation to push them back into the dominating role they take when on the field.
Senior quarterback Jerome Curry felt some pressure mixed with anticipation before the game. “It was a big game so I was excited for it, a lot of animosity has built up for this game definitely and I feel like we came out flat as a whole. Then we started playing Oviedo football,” Curry said.
Senior Jaylen Lewis, however, didn’t share this feeling, “Knowing I was playing Hagerty didn’t affect me much because I knew going into the game that regardless of the situation the team and I would play to the best of our ability,” Lewis said.
The defense managed to get two fumbles from Hagerty senior Jalon Lewis, recovering the ball one of those times. They also managed 4 interceptions as the defense grew stronger and stronger throughout the game.
One of these interceptions was by corner player and Oviedo senior Jaylen Lewis. With the unfamiliar feeling of being the one with the ball in his hands, Lewis felt excited about the chance this interception gave him.
“Getting the pick and helping the team build momentum was a great feeling and taking the pick back made that feeling even better,” Lewis said.
Lewis was given a chance and he took it, putting six points on the board for Oviedo and adding to the few pick-sixes of the season.
Oviedo’s Lions were given another impressive showing from not only Curry, but senior star running back Chance Nixon who scored 2 touchdowns for Oviedo and managed 107 rushing yards, and sophomore Jordan Donahoo who put up 82 receiving yards.
Nixon touched on this seemingly never-ending momentum he’s found this season, “honestly, I have to give the credit to my O-line, they have allowed me to progress throughout the season, through ups and downs they have always been consistent, and allowed me to play as good as I have,” Nixon said.
In Oviedo’s matchup against Lake Howell, currently ranked 297th in the state, there might be the opportunity for some younger players to gain experience and playing time. However, the Lions will have to come out full force in their October 18th game against University High, ranked an impressive 41 in the state, and the highest-ranked team they’ve faced since the pre-season game against the 36th-ranked Lake Mary Rams.