By Chris Parker
Osceola football has a new coach this season, but it is a familiar face in Paul Carney. Carney previously coached at Osceola, his alma mater, through the 2016 season. He retired from coaching in 2023, but after a one-year hiatus, he is back on the sidelines.
“I always thought if I had an opportunity, it would be a good fit (to coach at Osceola again), so I am back here for my 32nd year,” Carney said.
Carney continued to live in Osceola while coaching at other stops. Even though he has familiarity with the town and program, it still all feels new.
“It is always a whirlwind,” Carney said. “Even though I have been here before it is my first year again. It is like a new job. You get know the kids and their skills and get a number of who is coming out. It has been a thing of getting to know the kids, getting a feel for their talent and putting the pieces of the puzzle together.”
The Indians have had a strong summer.
“I have been happy with our attendance in the weight room,” Carney said. “They have bought into that. They are coming in and working hard.”
Five seniors return to lead the team.
Will Murray will be the quarterback and play in the secondary on defense. Last season, Murray threw for 318 yards and rushed for 573 with 12 total touchdowns. He led the team with five sacks on defense.
“He is starting to become a very good leader and doing the things we need to do,” Carney said.
Devin Bloom missed his junior season with an injury, but will be a force as a senior.
“He is a very good athlete in our school,” Carney said. “He is probably our most impressive looking player that we have as far as size and build. We have some major plans for him as a guy we do a lot with.”
Beau Hoeme will join Bloom in the backfield. He had 53 carries for 249 yards and one touchdown last season.
Bloom and Hoeme bring two contrasting styles to the running game.
“You have Devin who is big, strong and powerful and then you have Beau who is small quick and shifty,” Carney said. “It is a pretty cool mixture between those two at the running back position.”
The fourth senior is Kyler Mace who will see time at a tight end or lineman spot on offense and an outside linebacker spot on defense. He is the leading returning tackler after he pulled down 107 total tackles with 10 tackles for a loss last season.
Cheyenne Wilson (OL/DB) rounds out the senior group.
Chance Bishop (OL/DL) and Camden Brown (OL/TE/DL) are the team’s juniors.
Braydon Kennedy (WR/OLB), Matthew Gilstrap (WR/DB), Brady McGowan (OL/DL), Laphe Bellington (OL/DL), Bryson Murray (OL/DL) and Sam Bush (OL/DL) form a strong sophomore class.
Freshmen Brayden Pierce (OL/DL), Logan Peery (OL/DL) and Will Jones (RB) will look to make immediate impacts as freshmen.
Carney wants his team to focus on the things they can control this season.
“Win and loss will take care of itself,” Carney said. “Let’s establish what to expect out of our kids. I want the work ethic more than anything to be top notch. We can’t control our talent, numbers or any of that, but we can control our hustle.”
Osceola opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Jasper.
